Description
This vibrant Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls recipe features juicy marinated chicken thighs baked or air fried to perfection, served atop flavorful cilantro lime rice with black beans, corn, creamy avocado salsa, and a zesty chipotle sauce. It’s a perfect balanced meal packed with fresh herbs and bold flavors, ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Avocado Salsa
- 2 ripe avocados, cubed
- ⅓ cup cilantro, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
Bowl Components
- 2 cups cooked cilantro lime rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups corn
Chipotle Sauce
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1–2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, olive oil, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to create the marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow bowl or large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 6 hours to infuse flavor.
- Prep Other Ingredients: Meanwhile, prepare cilantro lime rice if not already cooked, or season pre-cooked rice with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt for a shortcut. Drain and rinse the black beans and prepare the corn.
- Make Chipotle Sauce: Add Greek yogurt, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, and garlic powder to a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Combine Avocado Salsa: In a bowl, mix cubed avocados, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and salt gently to combine without mashing the avocado.
- Cook Chicken: Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Bake chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes or cook in the air fryer for 14-18 minutes until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Rest Chicken: Remove chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices.
- Assemble Bowls: Layer cilantro lime rice as the base, then add black beans, corn, avocado salsa, and sliced chicken on top.
- Drizzle Sauce and Serve: Top each bowl with chipotle sauce and additional fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful bowl!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred; adjust cooking times accordingly.
- If using frozen chicken, thaw completely before marinating to ensure proper flavor absorption.
Keywords: cilantro lime chicken, chicken bowl, healthy chicken recipe, avocado salsa, chipotle sauce, cilantro lime rice, easy dinner, meal prep