Spiced Pulled Chicken Rice Bowls with Fresh Tomato Salsa

These pulled chicken rice bowls are the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. Pre-cooked pulled chicken is warmed with fajita spices and served over fluffy jasmine rice, then topped with a fresh tomato salsa, melted Monterey Jack cheese and a dollop of sour cream. The combination of tender chicken, sautéed peppers and onions and bright citrus flavors makes every bite irresistible.

Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe brings all the flavors of a slow-cooked meal without the wait. The homemade salsa adds a refreshing contrast to the warm, spiced chicken, while the creamy cheese and sour cream tie everything together. It’s a balanced, crowd-pleasing dish that the whole family will love.

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Ingredients

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Green Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 ounce Pulled ChickenView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fajita Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView 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 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon butter. Bring to a boil, then stir in the jasmine rice. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
2. Meanwhile, wash and dry all produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion; mince a few slices to get 2 tablespoons. Core, deseed and thinly slice the green bell pepper. Finely dice the Roma tomato. Finely chop the cilantro leaves and stems. Quarter the lime.
3. Heat a large drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring, until just softened, 3-4 minutes.
4. Add another drizzle of oil to the pan. Break the pulled chicken into smaller pieces and add to the pan. Season with salt, pepper and fajita spice blend. Cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock concentrate and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, combine the diced tomato, minced onion and half the chopped cilantro. Squeeze in lime juice to taste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
6. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Divide the rice between plates. Top with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Garnish with Monterey Jack cheese, the fresh salsa, sour cream and the remaining cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken instead of pulled chicken?

Yes, you can substitute leftover rotisserie chicken. Simply shred the chicken and follow the same instructions for warming it with the spices and stock concentrate.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, omit the butter and use a dairy-free alternative for the butter and sour cream. You can also skip the Monterey Jack cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese.

Can I prepare the salsa ahead of time?

Absolutely! The fresh tomato salsa can be made up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and add the cilantro just before serving for the best flavor.