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Spicy Chicken & Black Bean Rice Bowl

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Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 150 g about 5 oz lean ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup white rice rinsed
  • 1 cup water for cooking rice
  • 1/2 can about 200g drained black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 small onion diced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder or more to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt for topping
  • Juice of half a lime
  • Optional: fresh cilantro sliced jalapeño, or hot sauce

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice: combine rinsed rice and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  2. While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
  4. Add the ground chicken. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 4–5 minutes until no pink remains.
  5. Add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
  6. Add the black beans and stir to combine. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the beans are heated through and slightly coated in the spiced chicken mixture.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Squeeze in the lime juice and stir.
  8. Assemble the bowl: rice on the bottom, chicken and bean mix on top, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and any optional toppings you like.

Notes

Ground chicken is typically cheaper per pound than ground turkey and leaner than ground beef. Buy a larger pack, portion it into 150g servings, and freeze what you don't use — it thaws in under an hour in cold water. Canned black beans are one of the best protein-per-dollar foods you can buy. A single can runs about $1 and gives you two full servings.