On busy weeknights, I’m always reaching for meals that feel comforting and familiar, but still full of flavor. This Mexican-inspired chicken bowl is one of those dinners I come back to again and again. It’s simple, cozy, and made with ingredients we already have on hand.

Everything gets layered into one bowl — saucy chicken, warm rice and beans, creamy guacamole, and a little heat from fresh jalapeños. It’s the kind of meal that’s easy to customize, easy to clean up, and always satisfying. Perfect for a low-key weeknight dinner or an easy meal prep option when the week feels full.

Below you’ll find everything you need to make these Mexican-inspired chicken bowl at home. The ingredients are simple, the steps are straightforward, and there’s plenty of room to make it your own. Whether you prep everything ahead of time or throw it together at dinnertime, this is an easy, comforting meal you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small can adobo peppers in sauce

Juice of ½ lime

For the Bowls

3 cups cooked white rice

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained rinsed

1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen and warmed)

1-2 jalapeño slices (optional)

1/4 cup Guacamole

½ cup sour cream

Lime wedges, for serving

Tortilla chips (optional)

Instructions

In a bowl, toss the chicken with salt, pepper, and lime juice until evenly coated. Cook the chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in an even layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly caramelized. Add in adobo peppers in sauce. Make sure chicken is coated in sauce. Remove from heat. Warm the beans and rice. Heat the rice and black beans separately until warmed through. Assemble the bowls. Divide rice among bowls. Top with rice and black beans, chicken, corn, guacamole, and sour cream. Finish and serve. Add jalapeño slices if desired, tuck in a lime wedge, and serve with tortilla chips on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top before eating.

Notes

Swap chicken for steak, shrimp, or roasted cauliflower.

Great for meal prep — store components separately and assemble when ready to eat.

Adjust spice level by increasing or reducing jalapeño.