Name: Meal Prep Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb chicken breasts (diced); 1 tbsp taco seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 small red onion (chopped); 1 red pepper (chopped); 1 green pepper (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup corn; 1/2 cup black beans (freeze the rest of the can!); 1 cup fresh salsa; 1/3 cup cilantro (optional garnish; chopped); 1/3 cup feta cheese (optional garnish; crumbled); 1 cup dry brown rice; 2 cups water; 1 tsp butter

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.

Overhead shot of two chicken fiesta rice bowls.

This is one of the first recipes I ever meal prepped for lunch and it's one I keep making over and over again for a reason! These bowls are SO GOOD!!!

Why you'll love this recipe

Meal prep friendly: Make your bowls in advance or ingredient prep for easy cooking.
Fast and easy: Everything comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Budget-friendly: This recipe uses affordable ingredients and makes a large batch.

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.

Ingredients for making fiesta chicken rice bowls: cilantro, chicken breast, garlic, feta cheese, bell peppers, salsa, corn, red onion, brown rice, black beans, taco seasoning

How to make these bowls

Steps 1 and 2 for making fiesta chicken 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.

Steps 3 and 4 for making fiesta chicken rice bowls

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.

Overhead shot of a fiesta chicken rice bowl

Recipe tips

Here are my top tips for making these chicken and rice bowls:

Ingredient prep: Cook the rice, dice the chicken and chop the veggies in advance to save you time.
Add some spice: Use spicy salsa or add some chili flakes for more heat.
Swap out the rice: White rice, cilantro lime rice or quinoa would all be good.
Top it off: Top your bowl with cheese, tortilla strips, diced avocado or hot sauce.

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?

Cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage are great low-carb options.

How to store and reheat

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

Reheat: Microwave until heated through.

Freeze and reheat: Freeze chicken and rice separately, thaw, and then microwave.

Meal Prep Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls

Why you'll love this recipe

Ingredients and substitutions