This Taco Bell Power Bowl is the perfect meal prep idea and is a healthier copycat recipe you can easily make at home in just 30 minutes!
I am definitely a Taco Bell girlie but you just can't eat there everyday. You can make your own homemade version, though, and I'm obsessed with these power bowls!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Healthier takeout: It tastes just like the Taco Bell version, but with less calories (and no trip to the drive thru).
- Gluten-free: It's the perfect gluten-free meal with lots of protein.
- Meal prep friendly: Make your bowls ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.
Ingredients and substitutions
Chicken
- Olive oil – use any neutral cooking oil like avocado or canola oil.
- Chicken cutlets – you could also make your power bowl with steak, ground beef of shrimp.
- Chili powder – you can mix together cumin, cayenne and paprika instead.
Quick guacamole
- Avocado – you can use store-bought guacamole, but the homemade version is healthier.
- Red onion – you could also add in a clove of minced garlic. White onion will work in a pinch, but has a milder flavour.
- Lime juice – use freshly squeezed or bottled lime juice or even lemon juice.
Rice
- White rice – use any rice of your choice like basmati, jasmine or brown rice.
- Pico de gallo – diced tomatoes or salsa would also be good here.
- Romaine lettuce – swap out for another leafy green such as iceberg, butterhead or even kale.
- Shredded cheese – use any cheese blend you’d like. Tex Mex, Monterey Jack or cheddar are all great options.
- Sour cream – substitute for lime crema or leave this off altogether.
How to make the Taco Bell power bowl
Step 1: Season the chicken.
Coat the chicken with olive oil and spices.
Step 2: Make the guacamole.
Mash up the avocado with all the guacamole ingredients.
Step 3: Cook the chicken.
Cook the chicken until ready.
Step 4: Slice the chicken.
Slice into bite-sized pieces.
Step 5: Prep your toppings.
Cook the rice and cut up all your toppings.
Step 6: Assemble and serve!
Layer the rice on the bottom of your meal prep bowls, then add in all the other ingredients.
recipe tips and variations
These power bowls are super customizable! Here are some different variations you can try:
- Protein: Swap out the chicken cutlets for shredded chicken or ground beef. For a vegetarian option, add more beans or use sofritas.
- Grains: Use brown rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Dairy-free: Leave out the sour cream and cheese or use dairy-free alternatives of your choice.
- Sauces: Add avocado ranch dressing for extra flavour.
- Veggies: Diced tomatoes, bell peppers and corn would all be delicious.
- Keto-friendly: Skip the black beans and rice, or swap out the regular rice for cauliflower rice.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a Taco Bell Power Bowl?
The Chicken Power Bowl contains approximately 470 calories, with 18 grams of fat and 50 grams of carbohydrates.
How can I make a vegetarian or vegan Power Bowl?
For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and add extra beans or tofu. For a vegan version, leave out the cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing and use plant-based substitutes.
How much protein is in this meal?
According to the nutritional information on the Taco Bell website, fire grilled chicken bowls have 26 grams of protein, shredded chicken bowls have 22 grams, seasoned ground beef bowls have 19 grams and steak power bowls have 25 grams. My bowls have 24 grams of protein so you are getting more wholesome ingredients while still retaining a high protein count.
How to store and reheat
To store: Assemble your ingredients in glass meal prep bowls, then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you want to eat the chicken warm, store it separately.
To reheat: You can eat these bowls cold or if you've stored the chicken on its own, sprinkle some water over top then microwave for 1-2 minutes.
To freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken, cooked rice and black beans in airtight containers for 3 months. The night before you want to make your bowl, move the containers to the fridge to defrost, then reheat as normal.
More restaurant copycat recipes
Meal prep tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning these power bowls into your weekly lunches.
- I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
Taco Bell Power Bowl Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 chicken cutlets
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Quick guacamole
- 1 avocado
- 1 tbsp finely chopped red onion (and/or 1 clove garlic, minced)
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
Toppings
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup pico de gallo storebought or homemade
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 tbsp shredded cheese
- 2 tbsp sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Rub chicken cutlets with olive oil, chili powder and cumin then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fully cooked (will depend on thickness of cutlets). Once chicken is fully cooked, remove from oven and slice.
- Meanwhile, mash avocado and make the quick guacamole, then cook rice in a rice cooker or on the stovetop and prepare all the toppings.
- Layer rice in the bottom of meal prep bowls, then divide all other ingredients evenly. Leftovers will keep in the fridge 4-5 days.
Video
Comments & Reviews
Chris says
Love the Power Bowl. I lost 65 pounds eating them. I order them without sour cream, guacamole, and substitute the beans with more rice. Made this way, it only has 310 calories, but it fills you up for a solid lunch.
Nancy says
What is the approximate weight of the chicken?
Taylor Stinson says
It should be 1/2 lb total (for 2 cutlets)