Meal Prep Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls

These Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls will spice up your meal prep – they’re ready in just 30 minutes and are packed full of Tex Mex flavours.

This is one of the very first recipes I ever meal prepped for lunch and honestly, it still holds up. These chicken and rice bowls are so simple to make but are full of flavour and protein so they’ll actually keep you full and you won’t be over them by Tuesday. Promise.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Meal prep friendly: These fiesta chicken rice bowls are easy to make ahead for lunches and stay delicious all week long.
• Fast and budget-friendly: Made with affordable pantry staples and ready in just 30 minutes.
• Big Tex Mex flavour: Loaded with seasoned chicken, rice, and fresh toppings, these bowls are packed with flavour while still being simple to make.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado oil.
• Chicken breasts – try making them with ground turkey or beef instead.
• Taco seasoning – make your own or use a store-bought blend.
• Red onion – white or yellow onions would also work.
• Red and green pepper – use any colour bell peppers of your choice.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic will work.
• Corn – use a frozen vegetable medley instead.
• Black beans – swap out for pinto beans or kidney beans.
• Fresh salsa – jarred salsa or pico de gallo would also be good.
• Cilantro – leave this off if you don’t like cilantro.
• Feta cheese – try Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese instead.
• Brown rice – white rice or quinoa would also be good.

How to make chicken and rice bowls

Step 1: Make the rice.

Cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stovetop.

Step 2: Cook the chicken.

Sauté until lightly browned.

Step 3: Add the veggies.

Add the veggies and seasoning, and cook until tender.

Step 4: Mix everything together.

Add the remaining ingredients, top with feta and serve.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen vegetables are a great time-saver! Just thaw them and drain any excess liquid before adding them to your bowls.

How do I prevent the rice from becoming dry or hard?

Ensure you cook the rice according to package directions. You can also add a splash of water to the rice before reheating it.

What are some low-carb alternatives to rice?

Try Cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage for some great low-carb options.

How to store and reheat

Store: Refrigerate assembled bowls in airtight containers for 3-4 days.

Reheat: Add a splash of water to help bring it back to life and microwave until heated through.

Freeze and reheat: Freeze chicken and rice separately, thaw, and then microwave. You can also freeze individual portions in reusable Souper Cubes.

Meal prep tools for this recipe

• Get your glass meal prep bowls here!
• Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
• A rice cooker is invaluable for saving time, and it cooks other grains, too!
• This is my fave non-toxic skillet.