Zesty Grilled Chicken & Black Bean Rice Bowl
Elevate your meal with this vibrant Zesty Grilled Chicken & Black Bean Rice Bowl! Experience a delightful blend of flavors as juicy, marinated chicken is grilled to perfection and combined with fluffy rice infused with sautéed onions and aromatic spices. Instead of traditional pinto beans, we've opted for hearty black beans, offering a richer taste and texture. Top it all off with fresh veggies and creamy cheddar cheese for a satisfying bowl that's customizable and bursting with color. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this recipe encourages you to make it your own by adjusting the spice levels and ingredients to suit your palate, giving you the freedom to create the perfect dish every time!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
27
Ingredients
Ingredients
corn oil
1/4 cup (none)
melted butter
1/4 cup (melted)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
yellow food coloring
3 drops (optional)
ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon (none)
lemon juice
2 teaspoons (none)
chicken (halved)
1 whole (halved or boneless, skinless breasts)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
jalapeño chili
1 whole (whole)
ground chili (chipotle or ancho)
1/4 teaspoon (none)
black beans (canned)
1 (28-ounce) can (drained)
water
1/3 cup (none)
green onions
to garnish (thinly sliced)
stewed tomatoes (canned)
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can (drained)
chicken broth
1 1/2 cups (none)
uncooked long-grain white rice
1 1/4 cups (none)
butter
1 tablespoon (none)
chili powder
2 teaspoons (none)
oregano
3/4 teaspoon (none)
garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
fresh tomatoes
to taste (chopped)
onion
to taste (chopped)
fresh cilantro
to taste (minced)
shredded cheddar cheese
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine corn oil, melted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, food coloring (if using), ground cumin, and lemon juice. Add the chicken halves or boneless chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
2
The next day, prepare the Spanish rice. In a saucepan, combine the uncooked long-grain rice, chicken broth, chili powder, oregano, garlic salt, and a tablespoon of butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes or until the rice is tender. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and garnish with thinly sliced green onions.
3
For the black beans, heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the whole jalapeño and sauté until tender. Stir in the ground chili, black beans, and water, mixing well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
4
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and season with salt and pepper. Grill chicken for approximately 25 minutes, turning occasionally until it’s browned on both sides and cooked through. Cut the grilled chicken into strips.
5
To assemble the bowls, layer the rice and black beans at the base of each bowl. Top with grilled chicken strips, followed by shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh tomatoes, diced onions, and sprigs of cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Grilled Chicken & Black Bean Rice Bowl?
It is a vibrant meal featuring juicy marinated grilled chicken served over fluffy spiced rice and hearty black beans, topped with fresh vegetables and cheese.
What ingredients are in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of corn oil, melted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, lemon juice, and optional yellow food coloring.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
For the best flavor, the chicken should be covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the spices and lemon juice to meld.
Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of halved chicken?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use either whole chicken halves or boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
What type of rice is recommended for this dish?
The recipe calls for uncooked long-grain white rice.
How is the Spanish rice prepared?
Combine rice, chicken broth, chili powder, oregano, garlic salt, and butter in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 25 minutes.
What spices are used to flavor the rice?
The rice is seasoned with chili powder, oregano, and garlic salt.
How long does the rice need to simmer?
The rice should simmer on low heat for 25 minutes or until it is tender.
How do you prepare the black beans?
Sauté a whole jalapeño in vegetable oil, then stir in ground chili, canned black beans, and water before simmering.
Why use black beans instead of pinto beans?
This recipe opts for hearty black beans to offer a richer taste and texture compared to traditional pinto beans.
How do you add heat to the bean mixture?
The heat comes from sautéing a whole jalapeño chili and adding ground chili powder (chipotle or ancho) to the beans.
How long should the black beans simmer?
The black beans should simmer for 10 to 15 minutes after being brought to a boil.
At what temperature should I grill the chicken?
The grill should be preheated to medium heat.
How long does it take to grill the chicken?
The chicken takes approximately 25 minutes to grill, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.
How should the grilled chicken be served in the bowl?
After grilling, the chicken should be cut into strips before being placed on top of the rice and beans.
How do I assemble the Zesty Grilled Chicken bowls?
Layer rice and beans at the base, top with grilled chicken strips, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, diced onions, and cilantro.
What type of cheese is suggested for this recipe?
Shredded cheddar cheese is recommended for a creamy finish.
What fresh vegetables are used as toppings?
The bowls are topped with chopped fresh tomatoes and diced onions.
Is the yellow food coloring necessary for the chicken?
No, the yellow food coloring is optional and primarily used for aesthetic purposes.
Can I customize the spice level of this dish?
Yes, the recipe encourages you to adjust the spice levels and ingredients to suit your personal palate.
What kind of oil is used for the chicken marinade?
The marinade uses 1/4 cup of corn oil.
How should the green onions be used?
The green onions should be thinly sliced and used as a garnish for the Spanish rice.
What kind of chili powder is used for the beans?
The recipe suggests using either chipotle or ancho ground chili for the black beans.
How do I garnish the final bowl?
The bowls are garnished with sprigs of fresh minced cilantro.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, these rice bowls are ideal for meal prep as the components can be stored and assembled later.
What liquid is used to cook the rice?
The rice is cooked in chicken broth to add more flavor than water alone.
What makes the chicken 'zesty'?
The combination of lemon juice, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder in the marinade provides the zesty flavor.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 27 ingredients total, including spices, proteins, and fresh garnishes.
What should I do with the canned stewed tomatoes?
While listed in the ingredients as drained, they can be incorporated into the rice or bean mixture for added moisture and flavor.
Is this recipe good for family dinners?
Yes, it is designed as a satisfying, customizable bowl that is perfect for family-style serving.