• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • On the Lighter Side Recipes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Southwestern Rice Bowl

    Published: May 4, 2015 · Modified: Feb 8, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    3571 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe

    A Southwestern Rice Bowl is a go-to clean eating meal that is simply scrumptious! Add any fresh ingredients like cilantro, guacamole, salsa, olives, or other favorites.

    Whenever we are busy and I need to come up with a quick and healthy dinner, these southwestern rice bowls are a favorite in our house. Similar to a taco bar, I set out all the ingredients so everyone gets to add exactly what they like.

    a white bowl with corn, avocado, black beans, salsa, chicken  and cheese

    Southwestern Rice Bowl

    It is great with shredded chicken, ground turkey meat or even with a mild fish, like Tilapia.

    I use the frozen crockpot shredded chicken I have made ahead.

    If you don’t bake a few chicken breasts in coconut oil (or olive oil) with garlic powder and pepper and have to make simple recipes or just each for lunch.  I bake them covered at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until no longer pink then kind of shred it or at least cut it into 1 inch cubes.

    Voila! A simple and healthy dinner!

    What’s in a Rice Bowl

    Cooked Chicken Breasts, shredded or Ground Turkey Meat, browned and sprinkled with homemade taco seasoning.

    Brown rice or quinoa, cooked

    1 can of Black Beans (I use low sodium)

    1 lb bag of frozen corn (or can of corn)

    Fresh Cilantro, chopped

    Salsa or Fresh cut tomatoes

    Plain fat free plain Yogurt (or low fat sour cream)

    Sliced Avocado or Guacamole (optional)

    Chopped Scallions (optional)

    Shredded cheese (optional)

    Pepper to taste

    closeup of diced avocado, corn, salsa and cheese in a bowl

    How to Make Easy Rice Bowls

    1. Cook chicken, if necessary, and shred into pieces.

    2. Cook rice as directed.

    3. Layer rice, chicken, black beans, and then corn in a bowl.

    4. Top with Cilantro, salsa, fat free plain yogurt, scallions and cheese.

    ENJOY!

    a white bowl with corn, avocado, black beans, salsa and cheese

    a clickable button that says More Delicious Recipes

    a white bowl with corn, avocado, black beans, salsa and cheese

    Southwestern Rice Bowl

    A Southwestern Rice Bowl is a go-to easy dinner that is simply scrumptious! Add any fresh ingredients like cilantro, guacamole, salsa, olives, or other favorites.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 338kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Cooked Chicken Breasts shredded or Ground Turkey Meat, browned
    • 1 cup Brown rice cooked
    • 10 oz Black Beans I use low sodium
    • ½ lb frozen corn or can of corn
    • Fresh Cilantro chopped
    • Salsa or Fresh cut tomatoes
    • Plain fat free plain Yogurt or low fat sour cream
    • Sliced Avocado or Guacamole optional
    • Chopped Scallions optional
    • Shredded cheese optional
    • Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook chicken, if necessary, and shred into pieces.
      1 lb Cooked Chicken Breasts
    • Cook rice as directed.
      1 cup Brown rice
    • Layer rice, chicken, black beans, and then corn in a bowl.
      10 oz Black Beans, ½ lb frozen corn
    • Top with Cilantro, salsa, fat free plain yogurt, scallions and cheese.

    Notes

    Nutritional information doesn't include optional items. Adjust accordingly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 6g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2.6mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    More Cuisine

    • A square slice of cosmic brownie topped with chocolate ganache and rainbow chocolate chips on a white plate.
      Cosmic Brownies
    • A close-up of a serving of cheesy baked Johnny Marzetti recipe with ground meat and tomato sauce being lifted from a casserole dish.
      Johnny Marzetti Recipe
    • A wooden spoon lifts shredded birria in a thick, red sauce from a slow cooker, garnished with chopped herbs.
      Birria Recipe
    • A sliced bundt cake with a white glaze and a cinnamon streusel filling.
      Sock It To Me Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. karen

      May 25, 2015 at 9:05 am

      This looks great….simple. I am taking off on a camping trip to Yellowstone in 2 weeks….this looks perfect for an easy dinner on the road!

      Reply
    2. jann Olson

      May 19, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      Sounds like a yummy and healthy meal! Thanks for sharing with SYC
      hugs,
      Jann

      Reply
    3. Miz Helen

      May 18, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      Your Southwestern Rice Bowl looks awesome, we will love it. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      May 17, 2015 at 4:33 pm

      This does look easy and yummy! Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Perfect for a summer dinner idea!

      Reply
    5. Diana Rambles

      May 17, 2015 at 9:14 am

      this looks fantastic!

      Reply
    6. Karly

      May 16, 2015 at 10:54 pm

      This is my kind of dinner! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!

      Reply
    7. Pam@over50feeling40

      May 14, 2015 at 2:48 pm

      Yum…this is my kind of food. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop!

      Reply
    8. Amanda @ The Anti Mom Blog

      May 12, 2015 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      love rice bowls!! definitely trying it with quinoa next time!

      Reply
    9. Jamie

      May 11, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Rice bowls are one of my favorite dishes, healthy, hearty and oh so delicious! I’ll have to give this version a try, it looks amazing and I’m sure it tastes just as good!

      Reply
    10. Shantel

      May 11, 2015 at 11:20 am

      It looks so so good!

      Reply
    11. genie

      May 11, 2015 at 10:18 am

      YUMM!

      Reply
    12. Theresa @DearCreatives

      September 03, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Hi Sherri, This sounds delicious. We love cooking southwest cuisine in our home. Thanks for sharing @DearCreatives Inspiration Spotlight party!

      Reply
    13. Miz Helen

      September 02, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      I would just love your Rice Bowl, it looks awesome! Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Your post has been pinned with the party!
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    14. lauren

      August 31, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      This looks excellent. Kind of reminds me of a dish I used to make by putting Progresso Southwestern Veggie soup over rice (I was trying to imitate the Mexican Gumbo at Qdoba which I had a bit of an obsession w/ at the time). I would then add chicken or beef to it, and usually top it off w/ sour cream or cheese. Now you’re making me wonder why I ever stopped making it! I am going to need to try your version however, looks just as easy and delicious!

      Reply
    15. Šárka

      August 31, 2014 at 10:36 am

      I´d have like three of them right away 🙂

      Reply
    16. Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

      August 27, 2014 at 1:03 pm

      This looks delicious. I would love to have you share it at my link party. It’s live now.
      Debi @ Adorned From Above
      http://www.adornedfromabove.com

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • White bowl full of Egg Fried Rice with fork inserted.
      Egg Fried Rice

    • White skillet with tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach in a creamy sauce.
      Tuscan Chicken

    • four breaded chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices
      Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

    • Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
      Butter Steak Bites with Garlic Herb Potatoes

    • skillet full of creamy chicken with mushroom sauce topped with parsley.
      Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

    • bowl full of fresh cucumber slices, imitaion crab meat, and avocado with spicy mayo drizzles and topped with sesame seeds
      California Roll in a Bowl

    Popular Recipes

    • slice of coffee cake on a white plate
      Best Easy Coffee Cake

    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    • closeup of several crispy chicken wings on white parchment paper.
      Oven Baked Chicken Wings

    • White bowl full of fresh mango salsa topped with cilantro and red onion.
      Mango Salsa

    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip

    • closeup of shrimp corn chowder in a white bowl with spoon in it.
      Shrimp Corn Chowder

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    List of publications that have featured Tosimplyinspire.com. woman's day, southern living, delish, parade, Forbes, prevention, and parade.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2025 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.