Air Fryer Chicken Burrito Bowl at the Table

A copycat chipotle chicken burrito bowl with a fork on top.

This air fryer chicken burrito bowl packs all of the goodness of a traditional burrito into one simple bowl. Ready in nearly no time, and reliable for meal prep, you’re going to want to put this recipe on repeat!

What is an Air Fryer Chicken Burrito Bowl?

This air fryer chicken burrito bowl is a go-to in our homes! It’s basically just all of the finest parts of a burrito served up in one bowl of deliciousness. Plus, the beauty of this dish is that you get all the flavors and textures of a classic burrito, but since you’re using an air fryer, you get irresistibly crackly chicken, too.

For this bowl, we combine tender chunks of smoky and spicy air-fried chicken over a bed of fluffy rice, silky black beans, crunchy lettuce, silky avocado, and zesty salsa. It’s speedy, simple, and customizable — what could be better than that, right?

Raw chicken thighs topped with seasonings and oil in a bowl.

Ingredients You Need

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – These chicken thighs are the real MVPs of our burrito bowl! They’re juicy and tender, and deliver all the protein you need to feel satisfied.
Kosher salt – Just a pinch of kosher salt brings out the bold flavor of the other ingredients.
Black pepper – We use this to add a subtle kick to our chicken.
Garlic cloves – These minced garlic cloves turn up the flavor volume with their irresistible garlicky goodness. Feel free to measure with your heart!
Chipotle in adobo sauce – Chipotle in adobo sauce adds smoky spiciness.
Ancho chile powder – Ancho chile powder is like a flavor bomb in powdered form — it also adds a touch of smoky goodness to the chicken.
Ground cumin – Cumin gives the chicken an irresistible warm, earthy flavor.
Dried oregano – Oregano brings herbaceous flavor to the table in this dish.
Olive oil – Not only does the olive oil help to coat the chicken with the seasonings, but it also keeps the chicken tender.
Lime juice – Fresh lime juice gives the chicken a zesty, citrusy kick that balances out the other rich flavors.
Rice – Rice is the foundation of our burrito bowl. It soaks up all the savory flavors of the seasonings and also helps to keep you satisfied.
Black beans – These beans add a tasty silky texture as well as an extra punch of protein.
Lettuce – Shredded lettuce brings a burst of freshness and color to the bowl.
Avocado – Silky avocado slices are not only super satisfying — they also add plenty of healthy fats to the bowl.
Salsa – We love spooning on salsa for a bright, tangy kick that perfectly complements the smoky and spicy flavors in this dish!

Cooked chipotle chicken in an air fryer.

Speedy and Simple Steps to Make a Chicken Burrito Bowl

Prep the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and coat with the chipotle in adobo sauce, olive oil, and all of the seasonings.
Cook the chicken. Once the air fryer is ready, put the chicken on the preheated crisper plate and air fry for the recommended time.
Remove the chicken. Take the chicken out of the air fryer and immediately squeeze lime juice onto it.
Serve. After the chicken has rested briefly, slice and serve over the lettuce, rice, beans, salsa, and avocado.

A homemade chipotle chicken burrito bowl with rice, black beans, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Variations

Veggies – Pack in even more nutrients with diced bell peppers, onions, or grilled corn.
Meat – Switch up the type of meat that you use or choose a plant-based alternative.
Dressing – Add your go-to dressing or whip up a simple vinaigrette or avocado crema. (We love the silky chipotle dressing that we serve on our southwest salad!)
Beans – Swap out the black beans for a dollop of refried beans or toss in some other legumes that you like — chickpeas and lentils would both work well!
Rice – Instead of regular rice, serve cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative.

Can I Store Leftovers?

You can definitely store the leftovers for this burrito bowl! However, we recommend storing the ingredients in separate containers. Also, if you’re storing the sliced avocado, you may want to toss it in lemon juice to prevent browning.

To refrigerate, place the ingredients in airtight containers and store for 3-4 days.

If you want to freeze the chicken, store it in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Common Questions about Air Fryer Chicken Burrito Bowls

What goes well with an air fryer chicken burrito bowl?

You’ve already got a full meal in the bowl, but you can add extras like tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, or even a light side salad. A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro also make it pop.

Are air fryer chicken burrito bowls good for meal prep?

Yes! You can cook up a batch of chicken in the air fryer and prep the other toppings separately. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble the bowls and you’ve got lunches or dinners that taste like they came from your go-to fast-casual spot.

Can air fryer chicken burrito bowls be customized?

That’s one of the finest parts! You can swap the base (rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice), switch up the beans, or add your go-to toppings like avocado, salsa, or corn. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure meal.

Can you serve air fryer chicken burrito bowls hot or cold?

Definitely! They’re usually served warm with fresh toppings layered on, but you can also enjoy them chilled, almost like a burrito-inspired salad. It just depends on your mood and the season.

More Chicken-Based Recipes

We’re basically in love with how chicken is a canvas for creativity in the kitchen! If you are, too, check out these other simple chicken recipes that are chock-full of flavor!

Middle Eastern Chicken

Greek Lemon Chicken

Silky Mushroom Chicken

Cheddar Cheese Herb Chicken

Baked Shredded Chicken Tacos

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

A copycat chipotle chicken burrito bowl.

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 16 mins
Rest Time: 5 mins
Total: 26 mins

Skip the takeout, and make this healthy air fryer chicken burrito bowl recipe in less than 30 minutes instead! Email

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2 – 1 Tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1/2 – 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 lime, juiced
Rice, for serving
Black beans, for serving
Shredded lettuce, for serving
Avocado, sliced, for serving
Salsa, for serving

Instructions

Combine the chicken thighs, salt, pepper, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chile powder, cumin, oregano, and olive oil in a bowl.1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 – 1 Tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon olive oil
Place the crisper plate into the COSORI air fryer basket.
Select the preheat function, and adjust the temperature to 385 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, tap start/pause.
Place the chicken thighs onto the preheated crisper plate.
Select the air fryer function, adjust the time to 16 minutes, and tap start/pause.
Remove the chicken when done, and squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the top. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice.1 lime, juiced
Serve the chipotle chicken in bowls with rice, black beans, shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, and salsa.Rice, for serving, Black beans, for serving, Shredded lettuce, for serving, Salsa, for serving, Avocado, sliced, for serving