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Keto Chicken Burrito Bowl: Fresh, Filling, and Perfect for Meal Prep
Burrito bowls are one of the easiest ways to build a meal that feels huge, tastes amazing, and still fits your goals. This Keto Chicken Burrito Bowl takes the classic flavors you’d expect from a takeout bowl—seasoned chicken, crunchy veggies, creamy toppings—and rebuilds them in a low-carb way using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Everything is bright, zesty, and colorful, but the macros stay keto-friendly: plenty of protein, lots of healthy fats, and very few net carbs. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, packed work lunches, or weekend meal prep when you want grab-and-go meals ready in the fridge.
One of the best parts about bowl recipes is how customizable they are. This version focuses on marinated taco-style chicken, cauliflower rice cooked with lime and cilantro, and a mix of low-carb toppings like lettuce, cheese, avocado, and salsa. Each layer adds flavor and texture without depending on tortillas or beans. Your audience can easily scale the recipe up for meal prep or swap components to match whatever they have on hand, which makes it both budget-conscious and realistic to repeat every week.
Why burrito bowls fit so well into keto
On keto, many people miss the “bowl” meals that usually revolve around rice or grains. Swapping in cauliflower rice brings back that base layer without the carb hit. Cauliflower is low in net carbs and provides fiber and volume, so the bowl still looks and feels generous. The chicken adds high-quality protein that helps keep hunger in check, and toppings like avocado, cheese, and sour cream add the fats that make keto meals feel satisfying instead of restrictive.
Bowl-style meals are also perfect for meal prep. You can cook a batch of seasoned chicken and cauliflower rice once, then assemble bowls in containers with toppings stored separately. That’s why keto bowl recipes are often recommended in low-carb meal prep guides—they’re simple to portion, easy to reheat, and flexible enough to keep you from getting bored.
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
For the chicken
- 1.5 lb (about 680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lime
For the cauliflower rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 3 cups riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional but recommended)
Bowl toppings (mix and match)
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 avocado, sliced or cubed
- 1/2 cup sugar-free salsa or diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (full-fat)
- Extra cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices (optional)
Keto versions of burrito bowls usually follow this basic pattern—protein, low-carb “rice” base, high-fiber veggies, and rich toppings—because it keeps carbs down while preserving the layered flavors people love.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Season and cook the chicken
Add the chicken pieces to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Squeeze in the lime juice and toss until all the pieces are well coated.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has some browned edges. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Make the cilantro-lime cauliflower rice
In a separate skillet (or the same one wiped out), heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the riced cauliflower, salt, and garlic powder. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower rice is tender and most of the moisture has evaporated. Turn off the heat and stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt or lime as needed.
3. Prep toppings
While the chicken and rice cook, prepare your toppings: shred lettuce, grate cheese if not pre-shredded, slice avocado, and get salsa, sour cream, and any extras ready. Having toppings prepped makes bowl assembly fast and visually appealing.
4. Assemble the bowls
Divide the cauliflower rice among 3–4 bowls or meal prep containers. Add a generous scoop of chicken to each. Around the chicken, arrange small piles or sections of shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado, and salsa. Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to each bowl. Squeeze extra lime over the top and sprinkle with more cilantro or jalapeño slices if you like heat.
5. Serve or store
Serve immediately for a hot, fresh dinner, or let everything cool and then refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3–4 days. For meal prep, you may want to store avocado and fresh toppings separately and add them right before eating so they stay fresh.
Tips for success
- If using frozen cauliflower rice, squeeze out extra moisture with a clean towel after thawing so the base doesn’t get soggy.
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast in meal prep, so they’re a good choice if you plan to eat leftovers later in the week.
- Encourage readers to adjust spice levels by adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne if they like extra heat.
- For a creamier bowl, suggest drizzling chipotle mayo or a simple lime-garlic mayo over the top.
FAQs for your readers
- Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—skip the cheese and sour cream, and increase avocado or add a dairy-free sauce. The bowl will still be flavorful and satisfying. - Is cauliflower rice really filling enough?
In a bowl like this, the combination of cauliflower rice, chicken, fats from avocado, and toppings helps create a very filling meal while keeping carbs low. The volume of the bowl plus the protein and fat tends to keep people full for hours. - Can I use ground beef instead of chicken?
Absolutely. Season ground beef the same way, cook until browned, and use it as the protein base for a more “taco bowl” style version. - Is this good for weight loss on keto?
It’s built with whole foods, high protein, and low net carbs, which many people find helpful for appetite control and fat loss when eaten within their daily calorie targets.
