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I can’t wait for you to try these Mexican-inspired chicken fajita nourish bowls! They’re a delicious way to enjoy a balanced healthy meal. You’ve got fajita-seasoned chicken over cauliflower rice and all your favorite fixins. I’m talking black beans, corn, salsa, pickled red onions, and a generous dollop of creamy avocado sauce. Get ready for some serious yum!
Page Contents
- What Are Nourish Bowls?
- Why You’ll Love Fajita Nourish Bowls
- Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Chicken Fajita Nourish Bowls ~ Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Recipe Substitutions
- Recipe Variations
- More Topping Ideas
- Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Chicken Dinner Ideas
- Detailed Recipe Instructions
- Pin Recipe for Later
What Are Nourish Bowls?
Nourish bowls, also known as bliss bowls, power bowls, and Buddha bowls, include a range of ingredients that come together to form a balanced meal that is packed with nutrition. They are often made up of…
- Whole grains – like brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, farro, barley, etc.
- Lean or plant-based proteins – like chicken breast, salmon, crispy tofu, beans, chickpeas, lentils, etc.
- Non-starchy vegetables – like fresh greens like spinach, kale, swiss chard, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, fresh herbs, etc.
- Starchy vegetables – like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, peas, sweetcorn, etc.
- Healthy fats – like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
…and can be easily customized to fit your individual dietary needs.
The recipe I’m sharing with you today is inspired by my love for chicken fajitas and my ambitions for a more balanced diet. I wanted to create a dish that was not only delicious but also packed with some of the wonderfully nutritious ingredients you see mentioned above. And you know what? This beloved chicken fajita bowl has become an absolute family favorite.
Love Mexican food? My BBQ chicken enchiladas might be just what you’re looking for!
Why You’ll Love Fajita Nourish Bowls
There are so many reasons to love these nourish bowls. They’re:
- Easy to make – nourish bowls are easy to pull together. Only the chicken and fajita veggies require cooking. The rest of the ingredients are assembly only.
- Meal-prep friendly – fajita bowls are excellent for meal prepping, as they can be easily portioned and stored in your fridge for up to 3 days. This makes them perfect for grab-and-go lunches or easy weeknight meals.
- Nutrient-dense – packed with wholesome foods that provide plenty of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals, a nourish bowl will give your body the nourishment it needs to stay energized until your next meal.
- Customizable – Chicken nourish bowls are completely customizable. Feel free to add more or different vegetables, proteins, or even grains to your liking. Keep reading for loads of ideas.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken: Juicy chicken breasts are a great source of lean protein – a macronutrient that helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate the body absorbs carbohydrates (sugars) in the meal. This helps support energy levels and mood. I sliced chicken breasts into thin strips, but equally, you could use chicken tenders or tender chicken thighs.
- Bell Peppers: Sautéed red pepper and yellow peppers with a little caramelization from the pan are my favorite flavor in fajitas. I love bell peppers for their sweetness and juiciness. You can also use orange, green peppers, or a combination. As a general rule, the more colorful the veg, the more varied your nutrient intake is likely to be!!
- Fajita Seasoning: A spice mix of chili powder (use mild chili powder if you don’t like too much heat), smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, and dried oregano is a super simple combination of herbs and spices that provide so much flavor and a respectful nod to Mexican-style cuisine.
- Avocado Sauce: A simple combination of avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and lime juice creates a rich, creamy, and tangy flavor that works perfectly with Mexican spices. Plus, avocado is an excellent source of healthy fats, which will help the body absorb the meal’s fat-soluble vitamins. Greek yogurt would be a good sub for sour cream if preferred.
- Salt and Pepper: Make all the flavors pop!
Fixin’s (Optional But Recommended)
- Tomato Salsa: I’m using my homemade chunky salsa recipe, but you can use ready-made tomato salsa for convenience. Take the wins where you can! My recommendation would be to check the labels and opt for a minimally processed salsa.
- Pickled Red Onions: I’m using my homemade red pickled onions, but you can use ready-made pickled onions you like. Give yourself another win! Again, glance at the labels and check out the ingredients.
- Sweetcorn: I use canned sweetcorn for convenience, but corn kernels off the cobb are a fantastic alternative if you’ve got the time.
- Black Beans: I’m using canned black beans. You can use any beans you love.
- Lime: A zip of freshly squeezed lime over the nourish bowl really brightens the dish.
How to Make Chicken Fajita Nourish Bowls ~ Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Building this delicious meal only takes a few simple steps. Let’s get started.
- Chicken Fajitas
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine chicken strips, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and dried oregano, and stir to coat the chicken. Let everything cook together for about 2 minutes.
- Add Peppers
Add the sliced peppers and cook until the chicken has thoroughly cooked and the peppers have softened and charred ~ 4-6 minutes.
- Avocado Sauce
In a small food processor (or with a fork), blend the avocado, sour cream, and lime juice together to make a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Assemble
Heat the prepared cauliflower rice per package instructions, then divide it between four serving bowls or meal prep containers. Add a quarter of the chicken and sauteed bell peppers, black beans, and sweetcorn to each bowl. Add one or two tablespoons of tomato salsa, as many pickled red onions as you’d like, a lime wedge, and a generous dollop of avocado sauce. And now, the best part–serve and enjoy!
Find the recipe card with exact ingredients and full instructions at the bottom of the page. ⇩
Recipe Substitutions
One of the best things about nourish bowls is their versatility. You can create so many variations of your own bowl with additional toppings or substitutions to make the flavors perfect for YOU! Here are some suggestions:
- Cauliflower Rice: You could use brown rice or white rice instead of cauliflower rice. My preference for the two would be brown rice, as it’s a whole grain with less impact on blood sugar levels. But sometimes, white rice is just the thing.
- Fajita Seasoning: Quite a few spices go into making a Mexican-style fajita seasoning, and buying them all at once adds up. I get it. If you have them in your pantry already, then fab. But if you need an alternative, buy a fajita seasoning mix instead. Just glance at the label to ensure it’s not packed with sugar, salt, or additives.
Recipe Variations
- Vegan Fajita Nourish Bowls: To make this nourish bowl vegan, leave out the chicken (or sub with pressed extra-firm tofu slices) and skip straight to step 3 in the recipe card. Bulk up the veggie content by adding mushrooms, broccoli, or a selection of roasted veggies. Then, omit the sour cream from the avocado sauce, and replace it with coconut cream or soy yogurt. Adding a sprinkle of hemp seeds or sesame seeds is a great way to get an extra protein boost.
More Topping Ideas
The toppings for this Mexican-inspired nourish bowl are endless. How about
- Jalapeño peppers for heat
- Baked wholemeal tortilla strips for crunch
- Pineapple salsa for tropical vibes and a dose of vitamin C
- Shredded iceberg for freshness and even more crunch
- Queso sauce for a cheesy hit (feta cheese is also super-tasty on these!)
- Fresh cilantro (fresh coriander) for freshness
- Hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for plant-based protein and healthy fats.
Expert Tips
1. Think About Balance!
These chicken fajita nourish bowls make a deliciously balanced meal. Here’s how we achieve that balance.
- Add plenty of non-starchy carbohydrates i.e., vegetables (peppers, cauliflower, tomatoes, onions)
- Add some starchy carbs (beans, sweetcorn)
- Add a quality protein (chicken)
- Add a little healthy fat (extra virgin olive oil, avocado)
As you can see, this recipe contains ingredients that fall into each category.
2. Think About Flavor
I’m obsessed with what I call flavor boosters. Once I’ve built a meal with balance in mind (my body thanks me), I pump up the volume with a decent amount of flavor boosters (and my taste buds thank me). Because balance without flavor is no way to live! As this recipe is heavily influenced by Mexican flavors, we’re using oregano, chili, cumin, and coriander. Simply divine. Don’t skip them!
3. They’re Great for Meal Prep
For meal-prep convenience, store the chicken fajita bowls in airtight containers and pop them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the avocado sauce separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Chicken Dinner Ideas
If you’re looking for more seriously good chicken dinner recipes, here are some of my all-time favorites.
- Chicken and Spinach Curry (Palak Chicken)
- Easy Chicken Tikka with Mint Sauce
- One-Pot Chicken and Chorizo Savoury Rice
- BBQ Chicken Enchiladas
- Sweet Potatoes with Creamy Tuna Salad
- Oven-Baked Chicken Dippers with a Creamy Chive Dip
- Chicken Chasseur (Instant Pot Recipe)
Detailed Recipe Instructions
Chicken Fajita Nourish Bowls (No Rice)
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts thinly sliced into strips
- ½ tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 avocados ripe
- ⅓ cup (80 g) light (low fat) sour cream
- 2 limes juiced
- 14 oz (400 g) prepared cauliflower rice your favorite brand
- 14 oz (400 g) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 7 oz (200 g) can sweetcorn drained
- 8 tbsp chunky tomato salsa or your favorite recipe or brand
- 4 tbsp red pickled onions or your favorite recipe or brand
Instructions
- Prepare: Gather and prepare your ingredients
- Chicken Fajitas: Heat the olive oil in a medium frying over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips, chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir to coat the chicken. Let everything cook together for about 2 minutes. Then, add the sliced peppers and cook until the chicken has completely cooked through and the peppers have softened and charred ~ about 4-6 minutes.
- Avocado Sauce: Meanwhile, In a small food processor (or with a fork), blend the avocado, sour cream, and lime juice together to make a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Assemble: Heat the prepared cauliflower rice as per packet instructions, then divide it between four serving bowls or meal prep containers. Add a quarter of the chicken fajitas, black beans, and sweetcorn to each bowl. Add one or two tablespoons of tomato salsa, as many pickled red onions as you’d like, a lime wedge, and a generous dollop of avocado sauce. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Get in Touch ♡
I hope your whole family loves these chicken fajita nourish bowls as much as mine does!
Get in touch via the comments section, and let me know how they turn out.
Thanks for stopping by!
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