Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls with Leftover Taco Chicken
These Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls with Leftover Taco Chicken are here to save the day for those crazy busy weeknights! I’m allll about using up and making delish dishes with leftovers and these Chicken Burrito Bowls won’t disappoint! The best part is that these are quick, tasty, and super budget-friendly.
Life is pretty hectic these days. Between school pickups, grocery runs, and everything in between, putting a healthy meal on the table can seem like such a challenge.
Whether you’re making dinner on the spot or putting together leftovers, this easy meal is a win for busy moms like you and me! I’m all about getting dinner on the table fast!
What’s a Chicken Burrito Bowl?
In case you’ve never heard this term before… think of it as a burrito, but served in a bowl—no tortilla…like the Chipotle Burrito Bowls you get. You’ve got layers of seasoned taco chicken (leftovers, for the win!), rice, beans, fresh veggies, and whatever toppings you love.
They are YUMMY, easy to customize, and perfect for a weeknight family dinner or meal prep.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s your checklist to build the perfect burrito bowl:
- Cooked Taco Chicken Breast: Leftover Taco Chicken makes this extra easy.
- Rice: White, brown, or quinoa—whatever your family prefers.
- Beans: Black beans or pinto beans are both great options.
- Topping Ideas: pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, corn
These simple ingredients are affordable, making this meal super budget-friendly.
Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
This is the fun part—everything comes together in layers for a delicious and customizable meal.
Step 1: Pick Your Base Foundation
Start with a base that works best for your family:
- Classic white rice
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Cauliflower rice
- Crisp shredded lettuce for a lighter option. I use Romaine Lettuce, but you can use what your family likes.
Step 2: Add Your Protein
Since you’re working with leftover Taco Chicken, that’s one big step already done. Reheat it gently on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave lightly to keep it moist and warm. You can also use Beef leftover Taco Meat, just to let you know for next time.
See the instructions below for starting the burrito bowls without leftovers!
Step 3: Layer the Toppings
Here’s where you can get creative! Add a variety of toppings to pack in flavor and texture:
- Pico de Gallo with fresh ingredients…yum!
- Guacamole
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- A sprinkle of chopped cilantro, green onions or, red onion
- A squeeze of lime for a yummy kick
The great thing about this meal is that everyone can customize their bowl just the way they like it. Picky eaters? No problem—let them skip the beans or pile on the cheese. Healthy eaters? Load up on guacamole and fresh veggies…it’s WIN for everyone!
Save Money and Time:
I’m all ALL about meal planning, so I’ve included a few tips below to help you meal plan and save money! This recipe is a super easy meal and a money saver as well as the absolute best thing for your busy schedule!
Tips
- Keep your pantry stocked with Beans and Rice…super cheap!
- If you have Chicken Tacos for dinner and don’t want to have burrito bowls right away, then freeze your leftover chicken taco meat! It’s still just as delicious as the day you made it!
- Meal Prep Ahead-details below.
Use What You Have!
There’s no need to run to the store! Use any leftovers like Taco Chicken or pre-cooked rice into a fresh new meal. This keeps food waste to a minimum and saves you time AND effort. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken for these easy chicken burrito bowls.
Meal Prep for the Week
Cook large batches of rice, beans, and chicken over the weekend. Store each ingredient in separate containers so you can throw together bowls in just a few minutes during those busy weekdays.
Plan ahead with a store-bought rotisserie chicken! Simply follow the instructions on the back of the taco seasoning package (that’s what I use), add your rotisserie chicken and reheat…BOOM Taco Chicken for your burrito bowls.
Want fresh salsa? You can either make this super quick or purchase from the store already made.
Whether you’re using leftovers or batch-prepped ingredients, this recipe is a great way to keep your family satisfied without spending hours in the kitchen.
So, next time you’ve got some leftover Taco Chicken, turn it into something new with Chicken Burrito Bowls! It’s tasty, easy, and perfect for those nights when you need a meal fast.
Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls with Leftover Taco Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked Taco Chicken Breast: Leftover Taco Chicken makes this extra easy.
- 2 cups Rice: White, brown, or quinoa whatever your family prefers.
- 1 cup Beans: Black beans or pinto beans are both great options.
- 1/2 cup Topping Ideas: pico de gallo shredded lettuce, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, corn
Instructions
- Pick Your Base Foundation
- Start with a base that works best for your family: Rice, Quinoa or lettuce
- Add Your Protein
- Since you’re working with leftover Taco Chicken, that’s one big step already done. Reheat it gently on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave lightly to keep it moist and warm.
- Layer the Toppings
- Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Tomatoes, Jalapeno Peppers,
- top with chopped cilantro, green onions or red onion
- A squeeze of lime or lemon
A super quick easy meal! Love it!