These honey lime marinated chicken burrito bowls are the perfect go-to meal for summer! Chicken is left to marinate in a simple honey lime marinade loaded with garlic and chili powder. Chicken and bell peppers are then tossed on the grill until light charred and served over rice with beans, tomatoes, avocados, and more! This chicken is so juicy and tender after sitting in the marinade for a couple hours.
These bowls are loaded with flavor and color, the perfect summer meal. Packed with protein and full of nutritious vegetables. These bowls are fun served family style so everyone can create their own, serve the honey lime chicken over quinoa, steamed white rice, steamed brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low carb option. Keep the bowls simple or add as many toppings as you’d like!
Highlights of these grilled chicken bowls and why you’ll love them:
- Easy grilling recipe: this recipe really only includes two simple steps, marinating the chicken and grilling the chicken. This chicken is very forgiving and it’s a great recipe for beginner grillers. As long as you have a hot grill, you’re set! Tossing the peppers on the grill makes this even easier as you don’t have to clean up as many dishes inside!
- Family favorite: kids and adults will love this recipe! It’s great for a summer night in the backyard or to whip up at your next pool day. Serve family style and let everyone create their own bowl. I like to grill a bunch of chicken breasts, slice them, and serve them on a large tray with the peppers for people to grab.
- Simple marinade: this marinade couldn’t be any easier, a few fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples and you have a flavor packed mixture. All you need it fresh lime juice, honey, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Other flavors can be added in as desired.
- Customizable: this recipe can easily be customized, if you like things a bit on the spicier side, add in cayenne or extra chili powder into the marinade along with some sliced jalapenos. You can also grill up jalapenos to add to your bowls. Toppings can be customized to level up these bowls.
- Easy clean up: tossing the majority of this meal on the grill means there not as much to clean up inside! Other toppings can be prepped ahead of time with the chicken so once it’s time to eat all you have to do is throw on the chicken and peppers and you’re meal will come together in no time.
Ingredient List & Ingredient Notes:
- Chicken: use boneless skinless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, or chicken tenders. Try to grab chicken breasts that are the same size so they cook evenly, it can also help to pound of the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Olive oil: extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil can all be substitutes.
- Lime: fresh lime juice is the best here but bottled lime juice can be a substitute in a pinch.
- Honey: local raw honey is my go to. Agave or maple syrup may be used in exchange.
- Garlic: add as many fresh garlic cloves as desired, I use upwards of around 4 or 5 cloves. Jarred minced garlic can be a substitute. Use garlic powder in a pinch.
- Spices: chili powder and cumin as used to add flavor and spice to the marinade. Cayenne, paprika, or crushed red pepper are also good additions.
- Bell peppers: any color of bell pepper works in this recipe. Sweet mini peppers, poblanos, or jalapenos can be used instead of or in addition to bell peppers.
- Tomatoes: use cherry tomatoes, chopped Roma tomatoes, salsa or premade Pico de Gallo.
- Avocado: fresh avocado slices of cubes adda delicious creamy addition, guacamole is also great here.
- Black beans: canned black beans add extra protein and fiber, pinto beans or kidney beans could be used in substitute.
- Jalapeno: fresh or pickled jalapenos add the perfect crunch and touch of spice.
- Cilantro: fresh cilantro adds a nice touch of flavor and freshness.
- Rice: steamed white or brown rice, cilantro lime rice, or coconut rice are all greats bases for these burrito bowls.
More family favorite chicken recipes:
If you liked this simple chicken dinner recipe, your family will love these other simple dishes – perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinners together.
- Lemonade Marinated Chicken Kabobs – another great grill-friendly recipe!
- Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken – an easy, at-home spin, perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
- One Pan Low Carb Green Chile Chicken Bake Recipe – chicken breasts stuffed with poblano peppers and pepper jack cheese, baked until tender.
- Homemade Chicken Patties in the Air Fryer – homemade chicken patties air fried until crispy.
How to make the Honey Lime Marinated Chicken Burrito Bowls (with step by step instructions):
Let’s talk a little about how to make this honey lime chicken (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- In a mixing bowl combine marinade ingredients.
- Add in chicken breast, cover, and let marinate for 3-4 hours.
- Grill chicken and bell peppers, let rest, and slice.
- Serve chicken and peppers over rice with desired toppings.
1: In a large mixing bowl combine honey, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Mix to combine.
2. Add chicken breasts to the marinade and stir to coat. Cover and let marinate in the fridge for 3-4 hours, or overnight.
3. Heat gas grill over medium-high heat. Once warm, add marinated chicken breasts, cook 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Place bell peppers on the grill and cook 1-2 minutes per side until tender and lightly charred.
4. Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before slicing, slice bell peppers, serve chicken and peppers over rice with desired toppings.
If you like these Honey Lime Marinated Chicken Burrito Bowls, you’ll love these other easy recipes…
The Best Lightened Up Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Easy PF Chang’s Ginger Broccoli Chicken Recipe
Crispy Nashville Hot Chicken Taquitos
Instant Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe
Copycat Chili’s Chile Mango Chicken Recipe with Rice
Spicy Chopped Thai Chicken Salad (Panera Inspired)
Tools I used for this simple chicken dinner recipe:
- Gas grill – this is the grill I have, I like that it’s not huge so it doesn’t take up a ton of space but it fits everything I need and more!
- Tongs – a must kitchen utensil, perfect for flipping the chicken on the grill. I love these locking tongs for saving space and the different sizes are useful for different recipe needs.
- Glasslock Glass Food Storage Containers – the square containers are the perfect size for lunches, stain proof, and they are dishwasher safe. Great for storing leftovers.
- USA Pan Half Sheet Pan – my go-to sheet pan, these are truly non-stick and clean up nicely. I place the grilled chicken and peppers on this to get them back in the house.
Make it a complete meal: what to serve on the side
Looking to make this a complete meal that will keep the whole family full? There are several side dishes that go well with this grilled chicken. A few of my favorites are:
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer – crispy sweet potato fries are the perfect accompaniment to this honey lime chicken.
- Fluffy Baked Potatoes in the Air Fryer – another simple air fryer recipes!
- Failproof Long Grain Rice in the Instant Pot – this is a super easy recipe for rice in the Instant pot and its very low effort.
Recipe FAQs:
A few tips to make this recipe go smooth and seamlessly:
- Pound out chicken to an even thickness so all the chicken cooks evenly, you don’t want thin parts to be overcooked while thick parts are underdone!
- Marinade for at least 2 hours so the chicken absorbs the flavors and stays tender while grilling.
- Check propane tank before grilling so you don’t run out, or have a backup on hand!
- Have toppings prepped so once the chicken and peppers are done on the grill you are ready to assemble bowls. I like to have my rice in the Instant Pot so it is warm and fluffy when I need it.
What does lime juice do to chicken?
Lime juice can add flavor and help to tenderize chicken. Lime adds a bright, tangy, and refreshing citrus flavor to chicken. The acidity in the lime juice breaks down the chicken’s proteins and connective tissues, making the meat more tender. However, marinating chicken in lime juice for too long can over-tenderize it, so careful not to marinate for too long.
How long can I marinate my chicken breasts for?
I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 3-4 hours but no more than 24 hours. Since the marinade contains lime juice you don’t want to let it marinate for too long or the chicken will start to breakdown. On the opposite note, if you don’t marinate the chicken for long enough flavors wont infuse as well and the chicken wont become as tender.
How else can I cook the chicken?
This marinated chicken can also be cooked in the air fryer (follow this Air Fryer Juicy Chicken Breast Recipe), pan fried in a little olive oil or avocado oil, or baked in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. If you do not have a gas grill, you could also use an indoor grill pan, an electric grill, or a Blackstone.
How long will grilled chicken last?
Cooked grilled chicken will last for 3-4 days in an airtight container store in the refrigerator or for a month in the freezer stored in an airtight freezer bag.
How do I store leftover honey lime chicken?
Leftover grilled chicken can be cooled completely and stored in and airtight Ziploc bag or glass container in the fridge.
Honey Lime Marinated Chicken Burrito Bowls
Equipment
- Gas Grill
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Juice of one lime
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Chili powder
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced
- Avocado, sliced
- 1 can Black beans, drained and rinsed
- Jalapeño, sliced thinly
- Cilantro and sour cream, for garnish
- Steamed white rice
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Mix to combine. Add in the chicken breasts. Cover and let marinade 3-4 hours.
- Heat a gas grill over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken breasts and bell peppers to the grill. Cook chicken breasts 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and bell peppers until blistered. Remove from grill, set aside.
- Let chicken rest about 10 minutes before slicing. Slice bell peppers.
- Assemble bowls with rice, chicken, peppers, and other desired toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @theheartylife on Instagram and hashtag it #theheartylife.