Look no further for a healthy dinner-in-a-bowl than this Southwestern Fiesta Baked Chicken Bowl. It’s made with lean taco-seasoned chicken breasts and a fresh seasonal chopped salad.
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This Fiesta Baked Chicken Bowl is bursting with our favourite flavours of the American Southwest. Spicy lean chicken and smoky roasted corn pair up with a simple salad made with black beans, peppers, charred corn, cilantro and lime. I added sliced heirloom tomatoes and avocado to the bowl for a refreshing contrast.
I’m a firm believer in keeping the tradition of daily family dinners alive. Gathering around a table to eat together, sharing the highs and lows of our days, solving family (and world) problems is a special time, not to be missed. When my kids were young, we maintained our commitment to daily dinner time, no matter what their extra-curricular schedules demanded.
Now that my kids are grown, I still believe in gathering together for dinner, and I know that they follow this tradition with their own children. But me? Ha! I’ve done my duty. I raised my children to believe in family values. And now? Give me a bowl of delicious healthy food, a sunny lawn chaise on the deck or a comfy couch in front of a good Netflix offering and I’m good to go.
This Southwestern Fiesta Baked Chicken Bowl fits perfectly with our new relaxed lifestyle. It’s full of lean protein, fresh seasonal veggies and a zippy lime dressing. It can be put together in less than 30 minutes and it doesn’t even need the inconvenience of a knife! Perfect couch food.
And speaking of Netflix, I could use some recommendations for new series to watch. We’ve worked our way through several documentaries and House of Cards, Suits, Grace and Frankie, Scandal, and part-way through Breaking Bad (which I had to stop watching as it was way too disturbing for me . . . not that Scandal wasn’t). Any suggestions?
Southwestern Fiesta Baked Chicken Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 - 3 tbsp taco seasoning mix,, homemade or store-bought
- 1 14- oz can black beans,, rinsed and drained, 398 ml
- 2 bell peppers,, 1 red, 1 orange, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels,, charred (or use frozen or canned if fresh is not available)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper,, seeded and minced
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes,, heirloom if available
- 1/2 large avocado, sliced
- 1/2 fresh lime for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl or zipper bag, brush chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons oil and toss with taco seasoning. Brush the bottom of a baking dish with the remaining teaspoon of oil. Bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature measured with a meat thermometer reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, Lightly char fresh corn kernels on a dry, pre-heated flat-top grill (or in a dry skillet), just until they begin to turn brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In a medium bowl, combine black beans, peppers, onion, jalapeño and charred corn.
- Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together and stir into salad ingredients.
- Arrange in a bowl. Add tomatoes, avocado, and sliced baked chicken breasts. Garnish with fresh lime for squeezing and serve.
More Meal-in-a-Bowl Ideas
Chicken Fajita Bowl with Cauliflower Rice–a paleo meal-in-a-bowl
Skinny Greek Chicken Bowl with Watermelon and Feta
Citrus Avocado Salad with Shrimp and Smoky Vinaigrette
Asian Wild Salmon Buddha Bowl + VIDEO
Kari Peters says
I can never get enough Tex Mex food, and I love how you’ve combined light and fresh with flavorful spiced chicken – looks fantastic!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Kari, Tex-Mex flavours are always welcome in our home, too!