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cilantro lime chicken bowl

Creamy Cilantro Chicken Bowl

Tana Warner
Juicy marinated chicken thighs served over an easy one-pot tomato + black bean basmati rice, finished with a creamy cilantro lime sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and great for meal prep
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Blender, bullet, or immersion blender

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 Ibs Chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Rice

  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes drained halfway
  • 1 can black beans drained, rinsed
  • 3 cups chicken broth sub water, if you do not have
  • 1.5 cups basmati rice sub whatever rice you have on hand
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce

  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1/3 cup greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 juiced lime
  • 3 tbs water more or less depending on your desired consistency

Instructions
 

Marinate the chicken

  • First, add all chicken marinade ingredients to a zip-top bag.
  • Then, seal and massage until the chicken is evenly coated
  • Next, let it sit for 30 minutes (or up to 3 hours) while you make the rice.

Make the Rice

  • Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and cook 3–5 minutes, until softened.
  • Then, add the garlic and cook 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Next, stir in the rice and toast 1–2 minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken broth (or water), then add the diced tomatoes and black beans.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20–30 minutes, until rice is fully cooked.

Cook the Chicken

  • While the rice cooks, place chicken thighs in the air fryer and cook at 375°F for about 16 minutes, checking to prevent overcooking. ( Use Skillet if you do not have an air fryer)

Make the Sauce

  • While the chicken is cooking, add all sauce ingredients to a blender (or bullet/immersion blender).
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.

Assemble

  • Finally, spoon rice into bowls, top with chicken, and drizzle generously with creamy cilantro lime sauce.
Keyword cilantro lime chicken bowl