How to make a Chicken Salad Bowl

Looking for a healthy meal that actually excites your taste buds? This Chicken Salad Bowl is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s loaded with juicy seasoned chicken, fluffy cilantro lime rice, hearty black beans, and topped with a sweet-and-spicy mango avocado salsa that steals the show. Think: Chipotle bowl vibes—but fresher, brighter, and made right at home.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just want something wholesome and colorful on your plate, this chicken salad bowl checks all the boxes.

Chicken Salad Bowl with Mango Avocado Salsa

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Cilantro Lime Rice:

• 2 cup jasmine or long grain rice
• 4 cups water
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt, to taste

Mango Avocado Salsa:

• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 small jalapeño, deseeded & finely diced (adjust to taste)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Bowl Toppings:

• 1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 tomato, diced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (for the salad mix)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Rice

• Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
• Add to a pot with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• Fluff with a fork and stir in lime juice + chopped cilantro. Set aside.

2. Season & Cook the Chicken

• In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Rub the seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Let the olive oil heat up for about 2 minutes. Add the chicken and let it cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F to be considered safe to eat. You can add a lid and cover it for a few minutes to allow it to cook thoroughly.
• Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly or into cubes.

3. Make the Mango Avocado Salsa

• Split the avocado in half, remove the pit, and dice it into small cubes. Do the same with the mango and red onion.
• In a bowl, gently mix the diced mango, avocado, red onion ( I left it out here in the photo because I ran out but it adds a delicious zing to all the flavors), jalapeño, and lime juice.
• Season with salt and pepper. Keep it chunky and fresh.

4. Prep the Veggies

• In a separate bowl, add chopped romaine and the chopped tomatoes with cilantro.

5. Assemble the Bowls

For the bowls, I like using wide bowls to allow enough space for all of the ingredients to fit and be mixed.

• Start with a base of cilantro lime rice.
• Add a scoop of black beans.
• Add the romaine/tomato mix.
• Add sliced/ cubed seasoned chicken.
• Spoon over the mango avocado salsa.
• Optional: a little extra lime juice or your favorite dressing for a final drizzle.

Optional Add-ons:

• Crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
• Tortilla strips or crushed chips for crunch
• A drizzle of chipotle mayo or Greek yogurt lime crema
• Avocado dressing (Blended avocado with salt and lime juice)

Tips & Variations

• Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken for grilled tofu or roasted sweet potatoes.
• Spice it up: Add hot sauce or a drizzle of chipotle dressing.
• Meal prep tip: Store components separately and assemble fresh for the best texture!

Why You’ll Love This Bowl

• It’s fresh, colorful, and super satisfying.
• You can customize it to your taste.
• Great for meal prep, busy weeknights, or lunch on the go.
• That mango salsa? Literal sunshine in a bowl.

More savory recipes

• Sweet and savory mango salsa
• Chili baked potato

Save This Recipe for Later!

Don’t forget to pin this for your weekly meal plan or share it with someone who loves a good homemade bowl moment. If you try it, tag me on Instagram or drop a comment—I love seeing your creations!

Thanks for stopping by! – Liz

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Chicken Salad Bowl

Chicken Salad Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice & Mango Avocado Salsa

This Chicken Salad Bowl is packed with juicy seasoned chicken breast, fluffy cilantro lime rice, black beans, and a vibrant mango avocado salsa with jalapeño for a kick. Tossed with chopped romaine, tomato, and fresh cilantro for the perfect bite every time.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Active Time20 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Keyword: chicken bowl, Salad

Yield: 4

Equipment

• 1 Small bowl for each ingredient (Rinsed black beans, Chopped cilantro, chopped tomatoes, avocado & mango salsa, chopped Romain lettuce, cilantro lime rice)
• 1 Pan or skillet
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 Knife

Materials

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cilantro lime rice

• 2 cup jasmine or long grain
• 4 cups water
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Avocado and mango salsa

• 1 ripe mango diced
• 1 ripe avocado diced
• 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
• 1 small jalapeño deseeded & finely diced
• Juice of 1/2 lime

Salad

• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 tomato diced
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Side

• 1 can black beans rinsed & drained

Instructions

• Cook the rice: Bring rice and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in lime juice and cilantro.
• Season & cook the chicken: Coat chicken with seasoning mix. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side, or until done. Rest, then slice.
• Make the salsa: Combine mango, avocado, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, salt & pepper. Gently mix and set aside.
• Prep the salad: Chop romaine, tomato, and cilantro.
• Assemble the bowl: Layer rice, black beans, salad mix, chicken, and mango salsa. Top with extra cilantro or a lime wedge if desired.

Notes

Swap chicken with tofu or sweet potatoes for a vegetarian version.
Add hot sauce or chipotle crema for extra flavor.
Store ingredients separately if meal prepping.