Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls

Name: Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls with Cilantro Lime Crema
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp barbecue rub; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 4 (15-ounce) cans black beans, undrained; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 cup Mexican crema; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed; 1/2 lime, juiced; cooked cilantro lime rice, for serving; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

Grilled chicken burrito bowls combine tender barbecue-rubbed chicken thighs with cilantro lime rice, simmered black beans, and tangy cilantro lime crema for a complete, restaurant-quality meal at home.

🌍Mexican 🏷️Burrito bowl 🏷️Chicken 🏷️Grilled chicken 🏷️Black beans Cilantro lime rice

🏷️

🏷️Cilantro crema

-0:00

oldscoolkevmoonTikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by oldscoolkevmo

-0:00

oldscoolkevmoonTikTok

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp barbecue rub
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
4 (15-ounce) cans black beans, undrained
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 cup Mexican crema
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed
1/2 lime, juiced
cooked cilantro lime rice, for serving
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

15 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs with olive oil, barbecue rub, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat.
2
Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the hot surface and cook until golden brown and cooked through, flipping once.
3
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the griddle and set aside.
4
Pour the undrained cans of black beans into a saucepan over medium heat.
5
Season the beans with kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Stir to combine.
6
Bring the beans to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7
To make the cilantro crema, combine Mexican crema, fresh cilantro, a pinch of salt, and the juice of half a lime in a tall cup or blender.
8
Using an immersion blender, blend the crema ingredients until smooth and well combined. Transfer to a squeeze bottle for easy serving.
9
To assemble the burrito bowls, start with a base of cilantro lime rice. Top with a generous portion of the seasoned black beans and shredded cheddar cheese.
10
Chop the grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl. Finish with a drizzle of the cilantro lime crema.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat chicken thighs completely dry before applying rub so seasonings adhere and skin crisps on the grill.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temperature at the thickest part; thighs are forgiving but overcooking dries them out.
Toast cumin and oregano in a dry pan before adding to beans to deepen their flavor.
Make cilantro lime crema shortly before serving so cilantro stays bright and doesn't oxidize.

Substitutions

Boneless chicken breasts → chicken thighs (breasts require shorter cooking time; pound for even heat)
Black beans → pinto beans or kidney beans (same cooking method and flavor profile)
Barbecue rub → cumin, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder (adjust salt to taste)
Cilantro → flat-leaf parsley (milder, less citrusy; increase lime juice slightly)

Storage & make-ahead

Store grilled chicken, rice, and beans separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days; reheat gently and assemble fresh bowls to preserve crema texture.

Equipment

grill or grill pan · meat thermometer

Common Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but thighs stay juicier on the grill. If using breasts, pound to even thickness and watch closely to avoid drying out.

How do I make the cilantro lime crema?

The recipe includes cilantro lime crema as a component. Typically it's sour cream or Mexican crema blended with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and garlic.