Sante Fe Chicken Bowls

– Corn: A bit of frozen corn adds fiber, color, and a classic Tex-Mex flavor.

– Bell Pepper: Introducing more color and additional vegetables.

– Salsa: Adding a touch of spice, the recipe calls for chunky, spicy salsa, but feel free to use your preferred salsa style. If you don’t have salsa, consider dicing up three fresh tomatoes or using a small can of diced tomatoes as a substitute.

How to Make It

Creating these Santa Fe chicken bowls is a straightforward process, requiring minimal cooking effort. If you can cook rice, mix spices, open a can of beans and a jar of salsa, and grill chicken, then crafting these bowls should pose no problem. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

Cook the rice: Begin by cooking the rice. Although white rice is recommended, brown rice is an alternative if you prefer.
Mix the Santa Fe spice mixture: Blend ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. If you desire extra heat, a pinch of chili powder is a welcome addition to the Santa Fe seasoning. In a pinch, taco seasoning can be used as an alternative!
Season the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half widthwise, then generously coat them with the Santa Fe spice mixture on all sides.
Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring they turn golden brown and cook through.
Add the cheese: As the chicken nears completion, top each piece with cheddar cheese, cover, and heat until the cheese is fully melted.
Mix the rice, black beans, salsa, and corn: Once the rice is cooked, combine it with black beans, corn, diced bell pepper, and a jar of salsa. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Fill the containers: After all components are prepared, distribute the rice mixture evenly into containers, topping each bowl with a portion of cheesy Santa Fe chicken and a lime wedge.
Store and eat: Once prepared, these bowls can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge as ready-to-eat meals for lunch or dinner. When you’re ready to indulge, simply reheat them and garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.