Everything from a burrito in a bowl: lime rice, black beans, chicken, and guacamole. Without the tortilla, there is more room for the filling, and the individual components can be prepared excellently in advance. The ideal meal prep dish that still tastes fresh on the third day.
Why this works
Cooked rice becomes firmer as it cools because its starch molecules rearrange and trap water. This is an advantage for meal prep: the rice does not get mushy and can be fluffed up again on the third day with a little steam. The guacamole should be stored separately for the same reason it is mixed separately. Its enzyme reacts with oxygen in the air, and in an open bowl, the surface area is far too large for that.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Cook and season the rice
Cook the rice according to the package instructions and then let it steam covered for five minutes. Fluff it with a fork and fold in the lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and salt. The zest is important because that is where the essential oils are located, which give the rice its fresh scent, while the juice only provides acidity.
- 2
Marinate and fry the chicken
Mix the chicken with cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and oil, and let it marinate for ten minutes. Fry it in a hot pan for five minutes per side until it has dark roasted spots on the outside. Let it rest for five minutes and then cut it into strips, so the juices stay in the meat.
- 3
Heat the beans
Heat the black beans with a little cumin and a pinch of salt in a small pot and mash about a quarter of them with a fork. The mashed beans bind the rest and make the layer creamier, instead of them rolling around in the bowl when you eat.
- 4
Mix the guacamole
Coarsely mash the avocado flesh with a fork and mix it with half of the red onion, a little lime juice, and salt. Deliberately leave small chunks, as a completely smooth cream looks less fresh in the bowl. The lime also slows down the browning.
- 5
Assemble the bowl
Distribute the lime rice among four bowls and arrange the chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, guacamole, and the remaining onion in separate sections on top. Place a dollop of sour cream in the middle of each and sprinkle cheese over it. Serve with lime wedges so everyone can add more acidity themselves.
Our best tips
- For meal prep, store the guacamole separately and only add it shortly before eating.
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breast, as they stay significantly juicier when reheated.
- Store all components separately, then the bowl will keep in the fridge for four days instead of two.
Tasty variations
Vegan
Replace the chicken with diced, seasoned sweet potatoes from the oven, and omit the sour cream and cheese.
With Barbacoa
Use slow-braised, pulled beef instead of chicken.
Nutrition facts
| Calories | 1135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 57 g |
| Carbohydrates | 106 g |
| – of which sugar | 9 g |
| Fat | 52 g |
| Fiber | 18 g |
Where the 1,135 kcal come from
per serving
Calculated from the ingredients – how we do it
We add up reference values for every ingredient and divide by the number of servings. These assumptions are baked in:
- Reference values per 100 g – for the raw ingredient, exactly as listed.
- Tinned goods count at drained weight, bone-in meat at purchase weight: you eat about 70 per cent of a chicken thigh and leave the rest.
- Water evaporates as you cook. The energy stays in the pot, the weight does not – so the figure is per serving, not per 100 g of finished dish.
- Anything listed without a quantity – “salt and pepper” – is not counted.
A guide value, not a lab measurement: no two onions weigh the same, and fat content varies from pack to pack.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bowl keep?
Stored separately, the components keep for four days. Always add guacamole and avocado separately and as fresh as possible.
Why lime zest and juice?
The zest provides flavor, the juice provides acidity. With only juice, the rice tastes sour, but not like lime.
Can I replace the rice with something else?
Yes, quinoa or bulgur work well and increase the protein content. Cauliflower rice makes the bowl low carb.
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