Description
Mexican-inspired Spicy Chicken Avocado Bowl delivers bold flavors that dance across your palate with zesty charm. Crisp vegetables, tender marinated chicken, and creamy avocado create a balanced meal promising delicious satisfaction you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
Grains:
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Spices and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Oils and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Dairy and Condiments:
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a vibrant marinade by whisking together zesty olive oil, fiery chili flakes, aromatic garlic powder, smoky paprika, umami-rich soy sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Coat the sliced chicken thoroughly in the marinade, allowing the flavors to infuse for a quarter-hour.
- Preheat a grill or skillet to medium intensity, ensuring an even cooking surface.
- Sear the marinated chicken pieces, achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Melt butter in a separate pan, creating a silky base for the rice.
- Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, releasing its fragrant essence and building a flavor foundation.
- Fold cooked rice into the garlic-butter mixture, seasoning with a delicate touch of salt.
- Compose a fresh salad by combining crisp romaine lettuce, creamy diced avocado, and vibrant cherry tomatoes.
- Enhance the salad with a zesty dressing of lime juice, fruity olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, gently tossing to distribute flavors.
- Craft a creamy yogurt sauce by blending Greek yogurt with garlic powder, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of salt.
- Assemble the dish by placing spicy grilled chicken atop the refreshing avocado salad.
- Complement the plate with aromatic garlic rice and drizzle generously with the silky yogurt sauce.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor absorption by letting it sit in the spice mixture for up to 30 minutes, which helps tenderize the meat and deepen the spicy profile.
- Use high-heat cooking methods like grilling or cast-iron pan searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior that locks in the chicken’s juiciness and enhances the spice blend.
- Swap proteins easily by substituting chicken with tofu, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives to create a versatile dish that caters to different dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Create a meal prep friendly version by cooking chicken and rice in batches, storing components separately, and assembling fresh bowls throughout the week for quick, nutritious meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg