Chipotle Ground Chicken Meal Prep Bowl
Seasoned ground chicken with smoky chipotle and warm spices, paired with a fresh corn and bell pepper salsa and brown rice. This meal prep recipe yields four servings of balanced, flavorful bowls that keep for up to four days refrigerated. Ground chicken broth and tomato paste create a moist, savory base without excess oil.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups corn kernels
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- ½ jalapeño pepper deseeded and finely diced
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime juice
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- 2
Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink.
- 3
Season with salt and pepper, then add diced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- 4
Add chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and chopped chipotle pepper, stirring until fragrant.
- 5
Pour in chicken broth and tomato paste, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- 6
Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates.
- 7
Remove chicken from heat and set aside.
- 8
In a large bowl, combine corn, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.
- 9
Season the salsa with salt and pepper, then mix until combined.
- 10
Serve chicken and salsa over cooked brown rice.
Tips
Prep vegetables ahead and store separately to keep salsa fresh and crisp longer.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break ground chicken into fine, even pieces for uniform cooking and texture.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to four days. Store salsa separately from chicken and rice to preserve crispness.
Dice all vegetables and prep components the night before. Cook chicken and salsa up to four days ahead; assemble with rice when ready to eat.
Divide cooked chicken, fresh salsa, and brown rice into four meal prep containers. Serve at room temperature or gently reheated.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip breaking up ground chicken into small pieces to avoid uneven, clumpy texture.
Do not skip the deglazing step; evaporating the braising liquid concentrates flavor and prevents watery bowls.
Do not add lime juice to salsa until ready to eat to avoid soggy vegetables.
Substitutions
significantly hotter; start with less