Southwest Chicken Grain Bowl
A flavor packed grain bowl.
By Ethan ChlebowskiA grain bowl inspired by the countless “Southwestern” dishes on restaurant menus across the U.S. featuring corn, black beans, and bell pepper.
Feel free to customize the protein, toppings, and sauce to your liking. I use both brown rice and black beans as the base, but you could use one or the other (or any kind of grain/legume). I love eating this bowl with tortilla chips too.
Ethan Chlebowski
Ingredients
Spiced chicken breast
- chicken breasts1/2180 g / .3 lb
- salta sprinkle2 g
- chili powdera sprinkle
- cumina sprinkle
- cooking oilas neededfor searing
Creamy dressing
- yogurt, plain40 g1 part
- mayonnaise40 g1 part
- hot saucea squeeze
- onion powdera sprinkle
- garlic powdera sprinkle
- mexican oreganoa sprinkle
Corn “elote” mix
- corn, fresh or frozen50 g
- queso frescoa spoonful
- ground coriandera sprinkle
Remaining bowl components
- brown rice, cooked200 g~1 cup
- black beans50 g~1/4 cup
- avocados, sliced1/2
- bell peppers, chopped1/4
- lime juiceto taste
Method
Step 1: Start the rice; gather ingredients
Start the brown rice, if using — cook using your preferred method. While that goes, gather and prep the remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Season & sear the chicken breast.
Thin out the chicken breast to an even, flat size by butterflying it with a knife (cutting it open like a book). Season evenly with salt on all sides, then generously cover all sides with a generous coating of the spices.
Preheat a pan or griddle over high heat. Once smoking, add enough oil to coat the cooking surface. Add the chicken to the pan, then allow to undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a deeply crust.
Flip to the other side. Remove from the heat once the bottom has also developed a crust and the internal temperature of the breast reaches 155°F/68°C. Set aside.
Step 3: Prep the corn “elote” mix
If using frozen corn, microwave the kernels to warm them up. Mix together with coriander and crumbled queso fresco. Taste and adjust as needed. Set aside.
Step 4: Make the dressing
Mix together the yogurt, mayonnaise, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano until smooth. Taste and adjust as needed.
Step 5: Assemble the bowl & serve
Add a layer of cooked rice to the bottom of a bowl. Season with a squeeze of lime juice.
Slice and add the chicken to the center of the bowl. Surround with the remaining toppings: avocado, black beans, bell pepper, corn elote mix, and then a few dollops of sauce.
FAQ
Also Appears In
Free Spice Guide
Join The Mouthful Newsletter to receive our essential spices list pdf.
Just subscribe to our weekly newsletter where 60,000+ readers get lifestyle protocols, recipe frameworks, Q&A from expert home cooks, and cooking trends explained.
We hate spam too. Unsubscribe anytime.
