Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowls with Fresh Salsa and Lime Crema

These Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowls are all about building your own perfect bite. Fluffy turmeric rice, seasoned chicken strips, and caramelized green peppers come together with a bright homemade salsa and a zesty lime sour cream. Drizzle with hot sauce for an extra kick.

This recipe is designed for flexibility—layer the crema on the bottom, pile on the chicken and rice, or go wild with toppings. It’s a quick, satisfying meal that brings bold flavors to your table in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon TurmericView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken Breast StripsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. In a small pot, combine chicken stock concentrate, ¼ teaspoon turmeric (½ teaspoon for 4 servings), and ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4). Bring to a boil. Stir in jasmine rice and a pinch of salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender, 15–18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
2. While rice cooks, wash and dry all produce. Halve, core, and thinly slice the green pepper into strips. Dice the tomato. Trim and thinly slice the scallions. Zest the lime, then quarter it.
3. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the green pepper strips; season with half the Southwest spice blend, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2–3 minutes.
4. Pat chicken strips dry with paper towels; season with remaining Southwest spice blend, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and another drizzle of oil to the pan with the peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and peppers are caramelized, 4–6 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) until melted. Turn off heat.
5. While chicken cooks, in a small bowl, combine diced tomato, sliced scallions, a squeeze of lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the salsa. In another small bowl, combine sour cream, lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the lime crema.
6. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork; stir in 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings). Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice among bowls. Top with chicken and pepper mixture, salsa, and lime crema. Drizzle with hot sauce to taste. Serve with remaining lime wedges on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Small bowl (2)

AmazonShop popular Small bowl (2) on AmazonView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use another protein instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute shrimp, tofu, or beef strips. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

How do I store leftovers?

Store components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Use a dairy-free sour cream alternative and substitute butter with oil or vegan butter.