June 22, 2026 · 30 min

Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowl with Fresh Salsa and Lime Crema

Lunch30 min704 cal / serving

This Southwest chicken and rice bowl brings together fragrant turmeric rice, perfectly seasoned chicken and a medley of fresh toppings for a satisfying meal. The beauty of this dish lies in its DIY assembly-layer the rice, chicken, salsa and crema exactly how you like it.

Start with aromatic yellow rice and tender chicken strips coated in a warm Southwest spice blend. Top with a bright tomato-scallion salsa and a creamy lime crema, then finish with a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick. It’s a quick, flavorful dinner that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.


Recipe details

Lunch30 min704 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories704 kcalProtein51.4 gFat39.3 gCarbs33.4 gSugar10.6 gFiber4 gSodium359 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: yesLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: not detectedMilk / dairy: containsEgg: not detectedFish: not detectedShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Turmeric0.5 teaspoon TurmericView ingredient guide
Jasmine Rice0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guide
Long Green Pepper1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guide
Roma Tomato1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guide
Scallions2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guide
Lime1 unit LimeView ingredient guide
Sour Cream4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guide
Hot Sauce1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guide
Vegetable Oil4 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guide
Butter2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guide
SaltSaltView ingredient guide
PepperPepperView ingredient guide
Yellow Onion1 unit Yellow OnionView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. In a small pot with a lid, combine chicken stock concentrate, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1½ cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in rice and a pinch of salt. Cover, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered.
  2. While rice cooks, wash and dry all produce. Halve the green pepper, remove seeds and thinly slice. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion. Dice the tomato. Trim and thinly slice the scallions. Zest the lime until you have 1 teaspoon, then quarter the lime.
  3. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced green pepper and onion. Season with half the Southwest Spice blend, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with the remaining Southwest Spice blend, salt and pepper. Add chicken and another drizzle of oil to the pan with the vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are caramelized, 5-7 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter until melted. Turn off heat.
  5. While chicken cooks, make the salsa: In a small bowl, combine diced tomato, scallions, a squeeze of lime juice, salt and pepper. Make the crema: In another small bowl, combine sour cream, lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, salt and pepper.
  6. Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice between bowls. Top with chicken mixture. Spoon salsa over the top and dollop with crema. Drizzle with hot sauce to taste. Serve with remaining lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

For extra flavor, toast the rice in a little oil before adding the liquid.

If you prefer a milder dish, use less hot sauce or omit it entirely.

Feel free to customize your bowl with additional toppings like avocado, black beans or corn.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes, you can substitute jasmine rice with long-grain white rice or brown rice. Adjust cooking time and liquid accordingly.

What can I use instead of sour cream?

Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt work well as substitutes for sour cream.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the rice, chicken, salsa and crema separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before assembling.

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