Zesty Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl in a Jar
This Zesty Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl is a hearty, nutritious meal packed into convenient mason jars. Layered with fluffy quinoa, tender chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh cilantro, and crisp romaine lettuce, this vibrant salad is bursting with flavors from lime and spices. Perfect for meal prep, these mason jar salads can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, ensuring you have a healthy lunch or snack ready to go. Enjoy a delicious, balanced meal on the fly with minimal effort!
5
Servings
440
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
quinoa
1 cup (rinsed)
water
2 cups (for cooking quinoa)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for cooking quinoa)
lime juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
lime zest
1 (zested)
cilantro
1/4 cup (chopped)
chicken breasts
8 ounces (2 breasts, patted dry)
coconut oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking chicken)
sweet potato
1 (peeled and cubed)
bacon fat
1 tablespoon (for cooking sweet potatoes)
romaine lettuce
3 cups (chopped)
Greek yogurt
5 tablespoons (for layering)
shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup (for layering)
Instructions
1
Rinse quinoa under cold water and place it in a medium pot with 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
2
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it cool.
3
Once cooled, fluff the quinoa with a fork and mix in 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. Set aside.
4
While the quinoa cools, prepare the chicken. Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper (or preferred seasoning).
5
Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
6
Once cool, cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks, approximately 1/2 inch.
7
Peel and chop the sweet potato into small 1/2 inch cubes.
8
If necessary, add 1 tablespoon of bacon fat to the skillet. Add the sweet potato cubes and sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
9
To assemble the mason jar salads, take 5 pint-sized jars and layer the ingredients in the following order: 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt at the bottom, followed by 2 tablespoons of sweet potato cubes, 4 tablespoons of cilantro lime quinoa, 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese, 2-3 tablespoons of chicken chunks, and finally, fill the remaining space with chopped romaine lettuce.
10
Seal the jars tightly and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before enjoying!
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
27g
Protein
8g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl in a Jar?
It is a nutritious, meal-prep-friendly salad layered in mason jars with quinoa, chicken, sweet potatoes, and fresh vegetables.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 5 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 440 calories.
What is the protein content of this burrito bowl?
There are 27 grams of protein per serving.
How much fiber is in each bowl?
Each serving provides 8 grams of fiber.
How long can I store these jars in the refrigerator?
They can be safely stored for up to 5 days.
What size jars should I use?
You should use 5 pint-sized mason jars.
In what order should I layer the ingredients?
Start with Greek yogurt, followed by sweet potatoes, quinoa, cheddar cheese, chicken, and finally romaine lettuce.
Why is Greek yogurt placed at the bottom?
Placing the yogurt at the bottom prevents the other ingredients, especially the lettuce, from becoming soggy.
How do I cook the quinoa?
Simmer 1 cup of rinsed quinoa in 2 cups of water with salt for 20-25 minutes until fluffy.
How is the quinoa seasoned for this recipe?
Once cooled, the quinoa is mixed with 1/4 cup of cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice.
How should the chicken be prepared?
Cook seasoned chicken breasts in coconut oil for 4 minutes per side, then cut into bite-sized chunks.
What oil is used to cook the chicken?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
How do I cook the sweet potatoes?
Sauté 1/2 inch sweet potato cubes in a skillet for 10-15 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Can I substitute the bacon fat for cooking the sweet potatoes?
Yes, you can use additional coconut oil or your preferred cooking fat instead.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be made ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the week.
What type of lettuce is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using chopped romaine lettuce for its crisp texture.
Should I shake the jar before eating?
Yes, shaking the jar helps distribute the dressing and mix the flavors before consumption.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and bacon fat, potentially replacing the chicken with beans or tofu.
Should the cooked ingredients be hot or cold when layering?
The quinoa, chicken, and sweet potatoes should be allowed to cool before assembly to prevent wilting the lettuce.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 12 grams of fat.
Do I need to rinse the quinoa before cooking?
Yes, rinsing quinoa under cold water removes its natural bitter coating.
What kind of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese divided among the jars.
How much chicken is required?
You will need 8 ounces of chicken breasts, which is approximately two breasts.
How much salt is added to the quinoa?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt for cooking the quinoa.
How much lime juice is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The bowl features zesty lime, fresh cilantro, savory chicken, and sweet caramelized potatoes.
Can I add extra vegetables like beans or corn?
Absolutely, black beans or corn would make great additions to this Mexican-inspired bowl.
How much quinoa goes into each jar?
Each jar receives approximately 4 tablespoons of the seasoned cilantro lime quinoa.
How much lettuce goes in each jar?
The remaining space in the pint jar should be filled with chopped romaine lettuce.