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High Protein Chicken Burrito Bowl Under $3 (40g Protein!)

·3 mins
Table of Contents

This chicken burrito bowl is one of those meals that genuinely does everything right. You get 40 grams of protein per serving, it costs around $2.80 to make, and it comes together in under 30 minutes. Meal prep gold.

Why This Recipe Works
#

Chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breasts and stay juicy even after reheating, which makes them perfect for batch cooking. Canned black beans and rice bulk up the bowl without adding much cost at all. The seasoning does the heavy lifting here, so every bite tastes like something you paid twice as much for.

Ingredients
#

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup white rice (dry)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup salsa (jarred)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Estimated cost per serving: $2.80 (makes 3 servings)

Instructions
#

  1. Cook the rice according to package directions. While it cooks, move on to the chicken.
  2. Pat your chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Mix together the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a small bowl, then rub the spice mix all over the chicken.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred on the outside. Internal temp should hit 165°F.
  4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
  5. In the same skillet, add the drained black beans and frozen corn. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is warmed through.
  6. Build your bowls: start with a scoop of rice, then add the bean and corn mixture, followed by the chicken.
  7. Top with salsa and shredded cheese. Serve immediately or portion into meal prep containers.

Nutrition (Per Serving)
#

NutrientAmount
Calories520
Protein40g
Carbs52g
Fat14g
Cost Per Serving$2.80

Tips
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  • Buy chicken thighs in bulk when they go on sale. You can freeze them flat in a zip-lock bag and pull out exactly what you need. This is one of the easiest ways to cut your per-serving cost even further.
  • Meal prep this for the whole week. Store the components separately if you can, but if you mix them together, they keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better by day two.
  • Swap white rice for brown rice if you want more fiber. It takes longer to cook but adds a little extra nutrition without changing the cost much.
  • Add a squeeze of lime and some cilantro if you have them on hand. Neither is required, but both make the bowl taste noticeably fresher.

Related Recipes#

Hitting your protein goals does not have to mean spending more money or eating boring food. Make a batch of these bowls on Sunday and you will thank yourself every single day of the week.

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