LOW CARB CHIPOTLE BURRITO BOWL

LOW CARB CHIPOTLE BURRITO BOWL

Posted On 18 July 2017 | Posted By Elizabeth Campbell

Welcome to CFM’s new blog! I’m Elizabeth Campbell and a senior at Georgia Southern University. Living on a college student budget and always nutrient and calorie conscious, I was thrilled to create this easy delicious substitute recipe. This dish includes amazing foods that provide our bodies with the proper energy and aids in the cleansing process it needs to keep us living a healthy and happy life!

After all, who doesn’t love a good burrito bowl? Whether it’s rushing to Moe’s on a Monday to wrap your hands around that $5 burrito special or treating yourself to Chipotle during your mid-week lunch break (since bringing your own lunch to work was far from a priority as you rushed out the door with keys in one hand and travel mug in the other), I’m sure we all can admit to indulging in this ever trending southwestern and maybe even more often than we care to admit! It’s commonly believed that these fast-casual choices are a much healthier option their fast-food alternative, but a recent study done by the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that this is not actually the case. Believe it or not, these bowls can add up to equal an entire day’s worth of food in just one meal!

Now, what if I told you it was possible to reinvent your own burrito bowl into a much healthier and nutrient dense meal that will keep you satisfied longer AND taste just as good, if not better?

Well here is a low-carb recipe that will satisfy those cravings of yours and save you from any post meal bloating. The best part about this recipe is that it’s extremely versatile. You can add/substitute any of the toppings for one’s you’ll love. Here’s my ultimate loaded burrito bowl and reasons as to why it makes for such a balanced meal.

Lean chicken breast is a great source of protein that contains the essential amino acids that build and repair your muscle fibers. While still keeping this a low carb meal, black beans are a powerhouse of nutrients containing protein, fiber, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Healthy fats like coconut oil and avocado, in moderation, increase your metabolism, lower cholesterol, improve your cognitive functions, and keep you fuller longer. Herbs such as cilantro is a great medicinal herb that is detoxifying, high in Vitamins A and K and anti-inflammatory. So pile on the fixings and let’s enjoy these fresh flavors of summer! Not to mention, you can freeze any leftover beans and chicken for an even easier meal next time!

Ingredients

Serves 4

Chicken

1 lb chicken breast*

1 tbsp cumin

½ tbsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

Favorite Toppings

Fajita veggies: 1 medium onion*, 8 oz mushrooms*, 2 bell peppers*

2 cups of spinach* or lettuce

1 large tomatoes*, diced

1 avocado*, sliced

Dollop of Oikos non fat greek yogurt (great healthy sour cream alternative for those dairy lovers!)

Seasoned Beans

16 oz (or 1 can) black beans*

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Cauliflower Rice

1 head of cauliflower*, minced in food processor

2 medium limes*, zested and juiced

¼ cup cilantro*

½ tsp salt

Directions

In a saucepan, over medium high heat neutral flavored coconut oil (olive oil, ghee, or organic pasteurized butter). Saute onion, mushrooms, and bell peppers with salt and pepper until slightly cooked. About 2 minutes.
Add diced chicken, seasoned. After seared on both sides, bring the heat down to medium, cover, and let fully cook, occasionally stirring around the chicken and veggies, for about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
Using the same pan, you can heat the beans and added seasonings.
Meanwhile, for the cilantro rice, add the minced cauliflower in a medium saucepan, adding salt, lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro until it begins to slightly brown. Set aside.
In a serving bowl, assemble your cauli rice, beans, spinach, sauteed veggies, and chicken. Top with tomatoes, guacamole, and greek yogurt if desired. Garnish with lots of cilantro and bon appetit!
*Fresh, organic ingredients used by Nature’s Garden Express