Description
Zesty lime and fresh cilantro-infused rice layered with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and a tangy lime-cilantro sauce. A vibrant and customizable Southwestern-inspired bowl that’s gluten-free, family-friendly, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
1 cup water or vegetable broth
Zest of 2 limes
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 avocado, sliced
Olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 lime (cut into wedges, for serving)
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
In a saucepan, combine the rice, water or vegetable broth, lime zest, lime juice, and half of the chopped cilantro. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
While the rice cooks, cook the chicken breasts in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat until fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes per side). Season with salt and pepper. Let rest, then slice into strips.
In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, the juice of half a lime, and the remaining chopped cilantro to make a tangy lime-cilantro sauce. Set aside.
In another pan, sauté the corn and diced tomatoes briefly until slightly softened. Add black beans and mix through.
To assemble the bowls, spoon the cooked rice into serving bowls. Top with chicken slices, the bean-corn mixture, and avocado slices.
Drizzle the lime-cilantro sauce over the top and garnish with optional extra lime wedges and cilantro.
Notes
For a vegan version, skip the chicken and add extra tofu or jackfruit. You can make the rice and sauce ahead of time to assemble quickly.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Use separate containers for raw avocado if not serving immediately.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pot cooking + sauté
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
