AmericanMedium · Hot
A colorful, deconstructed rice bowl with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and bell peppers that even the pickiest eaters will love. Mild Southwest flavors please the whole family while vegetables are hidden in plain sight.
15 min
30 min
5 min
50 min
Method
Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice, salt, and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 18 minutes until water is absorbed.
Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Pat chicken breast dry with paper towels. Cut into bite-sized cubes and place in a medium bowl.
Season chicken with ground ginger, cumin, smoked paprika, minced garlic, and salt. Toss to coat evenly.
Heat sunflower oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken in a single layer.
Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden and cooked through (165°F internal). Set aside.
While chicken cooks, dice bell peppers and finely chop the yellow onion.
In the same frying pan over medium heat, add sunflower oil. Sauté onion for 3 minutes until translucent.
Add bell peppers and cook for 4 minutes until slightly softened. Add corn and cook 2 more minutes.
Pour in black beans (drained) and tomato sauce. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture is heated through and slightly thickened. Fold in the cooked chicken.
Spoon fluffy jasmine rice into four bowls as the base layer.
Top each bowl with a generous scoop of the warm Southwest chicken and bean mixture.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot filling so it melts slightly.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -4
Calories
1348
per serving
Protein
84g
Carbs
167g
Fat
39g
Sat. fat
16g
Fiber
28g
Sugar
14g
Sodium
1865mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
2.6
per serving
Water
2.7m³
Runoff
0.2g P
Chicken Breast drives 43% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Frying PanTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook chicken to minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness before serving.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken and ready-to-eat ingredients. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover components within 2 hours. Store chicken, bean mixture, and rice separately in airtight containers. Consume within 3-4 days.
High Risk Population
Ensure thorough cooking for chicken. Young children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk from undercooked poultry.
Handling
Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure proper browning. Do not let raw chicken sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Pro Tips
Technique
The key to getting my kids to eat peppers is cutting them small enough that they blend into the bean mixture. They see the color, but by the time they taste it, they're already hooked on the cumin and paprika flavors.
Substitution
Can't find jasmine rice? Brown rice works, just add an extra half cup of water and extend the simmer time to 40 minutes. You can also swap the chicken for ground beef or tofu if your family prefers.
From the chef
This bowl was born on a Tuesday when my youngest decided she only wanted the corn, my middle refused anything green, and my oldest wanted something that tasted 'more exciting.' I threw everything together thinking I'd made a mess—and then watched all three bowls come back empty. The secret? Everything's there, but nothing's hiding. The peppers and onions soften right into the beans, the cheese melts into every bite, and nobody's interrogating me about vegetables. We call it the 'choose your own adventure' bowl now.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026