Budget-Style Chicken and Rice Bowls

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A hearty, affordable meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a zesty lime crema for a burst of flavor. This Mexican-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs chicken breast, white rice, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs, cubed chicken breast
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook rice according to package instructions, using 1 1/2 cups water and 1 cup rice.
2. Step 2: In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add chicken cubes and cook 5-6 minutes until browned, then stir in tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Spoon rice into bowls, top with chicken mixture, and drizzle with lime juice and cilantro. Serve warm.