Southwest Power Bowl (30 Minutes)

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This Southwest-inspired power bowl is packed with flavors and nutrients to fuel your day. With cilantro rice, tender chicken, beans, and a variety of other customizable toppings, this dish will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. Make these in advance and you’ll have a healthy and delicious meal to pull out of the fridge all week long.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup white or brown rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 1 can black or red beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Dollop of sour cream, for serving (optional)
  • Pinch of fiesta blend cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice and add it to a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
  2. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
  3. In a separate pan, warm the cooked and shredded chicken with a splash of water or broth.
  4. Divide the cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with the warmed chicken, beans, avocado, red onion, corn kernels, and cherry tomatoes.
  5. Garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, and a pinch of cheese (optional).

Notes

To save time, you can pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store and use in this recipe. Other proteins like tofu, shrimp, or ground turkey are equally delicious. Feel free to experiment with additional yummy toppings such as bell peppers, fresh greens, black olives, or diced jalapeno. Enjoy!

*The following nutritional information is based on estimates.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 485 calories
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 389mg
  • Fat: 19g
  • Carbohydrates: 54g
  • Fiber: 10g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Pair this with...

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Grab some store-bought corn tortillas and cut each one into 6 or 8 wedges. Heat up about an inch of vegetable or canola oil in a large frying pan until it's shimmering, but not smoking. Carefully drop the tortilla wedges into the hot oil in batches, so they don't overlap. Fry them until they're golden brown, which will take about 2-3 minutes per side. Once they're perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. While they're still warm, sprinkle a bit of salt over the top. There you go!

Guacamole

Start with ripe avocados - when you give them a gentle squeeze, they should have a little give, but not feel mushy. Halve and pit them, scooping out their green goodness into a bowl. Now, add the juice of a fresh lime. This brightens the flavor and helps keep that vibrant green color. Toss in a finely chopped small red onion, a minced clove of garlic, a small diced tomato, and maybe a deseeded and diced jalapeño if you're in the mood for some heat. A handful of chopped cilantro leaves adds that distinct freshness, but if you're not a fan, it's okay to skip it. Sprinkle in some salt, and then mash everything together. You can use a fork or a potato masher, depending on how chunky you like your guacamole. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Serve it up with tortilla chips or as a side to pretty much anything.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Start by draining and rinsing a can of black beans, then combine it with a cup of sweet corn (frozen and thawed works great, or fresh off the cob). Dice up a ripe tomato, a red pepper, and a red onion for some juicy crunch. For that herbal freshness, chop up a handful of cilantro and toss it in. Mix everything in a large bowl and give it a good stir. For dressing, squeeze the juice of one lime, drizzle a bit of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Mix it all up, and voila!

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