Salsa Verde Chicken Rice Bowls for Two Recipe
These salsa verde chicken rice bowls for two are a fast, flavorful 20-minute dinner made with ground chicken, red salsa, salsa verde and taco seasoning. Serve over three-minute cilantro lime rice and pile on your favorite toppings, then finish with a creamy homemade cilantro lime sauce. It’s an easy chicken dinner for two that’s faster than takeout and packed with fresh, zesty flavor.
Servings: 2 bowls
Ingredients
Salsa Verde Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chunky red salsa
- ½ cup salsa verde
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Cholula
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Pinch of salt
For the Bowls
- 1 pouch fully cooked cilantro lime rice such as Grain Trust
- Shredded lettuce
- 1 avocado sliced
- Tortilla chips
- Pickled red onions see quick pickling recipe for burger toppings
- Pickled jalapeños
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Cook the chicken
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Using a spatula or wooden spoon, break the chicken into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.
Add the salsa
- Stir in the red salsa, salsa verde and hot sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The salsa provides plenty of moisture, but if the skillet starts to look dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of water.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Make the cilantro lime sauce
- While the chicken simmers, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, garlic, lime juice and honey in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and season with a pinch of salt.
Heat the rice
- Prepare the frozen cilantro lime rice according to the package directions. Grain Trust takes about 3 minutes in the microwave.
Assemble the bowls
- Divide the warm rice between two bowls. Spoon the salsa verde chicken over the rice.
- Add shredded lettuce, avocado, tortilla chips, pickled red onions, pickled jalapeños, green onions and fresh cilantro.
- Drizzle generously with cilantro lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Taco seasoning: If your grocery store has bulk spices, buy just the amount you need. It's a great way to avoid an opened seasoning packet getting lost in the spice drawer.
Homemade Taco Seasoning for 2 Teaspoons If you don't have taco seasoning on hand, combine: ½ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon salt For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne. For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika.
Salsa: I like the combination of chunky red salsa and salsa verde, but you can use your favorite brands and adjust the heat to your liking.
Make it even easier: Use a prepared cilantro lime dressing or sauce in place of the homemade sauce.
Change the protein: Ground turkey or ground beef can be substituted for the ground chicken.
Toppings: Don't feel like you need every topping listed. Avocado, cilantro, lime and tortilla chips are enough to make a great bowl. Pickled onions and jalapeños add a particularly nice tangy contrast to the rich chicken and creamy sauce.
Storage: Store leftover chicken separately from toppings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken and cook rice before assembling fresh bowls.