Savory Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls in Just 45 mins

By:

Tasha

July 17, 2025

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Okay, so listen, if you’re anything like me, you’re juggling a million things, right? Work, family, trying to squeeze in, like, 5 minutes at the gym… It’s chaos! That’s why I’m *obsessed* with healthy meal prep, and these Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls? Total game-changer. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they’re packed with protein to keep you going. Plus, you can totally tweak them to your liking – more spice, less cheese, whatever floats your boat! I’ve been experimenting with different high protein dinner ideas for years, and trust me, this one’s a winner. It’s one of those easy high protein meals that actually tastes amazing and keeps you on track. It’s a recipe I always recommend when people ask me about easy healthy meal prep!

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Why You’ll Love These Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Seriously, what’s *not* to love? These bowls are about to become your new go-to. Here’s why:

Quick and Easy High Protein Meals

We’re talking from fridge to face in under an hour! And most of that is just letting the oven do its thing. I mean, come on!

Perfect for Healthy Meal Prep For The Week

Make a batch on Sunday, and you’ve got lunch or dinner sorted for days. They actually taste *better* after a day or two, if you can believe it!

Delicious and Balanced Meals

It’s not just protein, protein, protein! You’ve got your carbs from the rice, healthy fats (hello, avocado!), and all the flavor from that enchilada sauce. It’s a party in a bowl!

Customizable Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Don’t like black beans? Use pinto! Want it spicier? Add some jalapeños! This recipe is your blank canvas, so go wild!

Ingredients for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need. Nothing too crazy, I promise! Here’s the lineup for these amazing Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls:

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts – and don’t skimp on quality, it makes a difference!
1 tbsp olive oil – for sautéing, duh!
1 medium onion, chopped – yellow or white, whatever you’ve got!
1 red bell pepper, chopped – adds a little sweetness, yum!
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained – gotta get that fiber!
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained – adds a pop of color and sweetness!
1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce – mild, medium, or hot… you do you!
1 cup cooked brown rice – my go-to for extra nutrients.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – because cheese!
Optional toppings: avocado, sour cream, cilantro – highly recommend all three!

How to Prepare Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Okay, ready to get cooking? It’s way easier than you think, I swear! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on delicious Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls in no time!

Cooking the Chicken for the Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

First things first, crank that oven to 400°F (200°C) – gotta get it nice and toasty! While that’s heating up, chop your chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook faster and more evenly. Now, heat up that olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chicken and cook it until it’s browned and cooked all the way through. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it’ll steam instead of brown. If you need to, do it in batches!

Making the Enchilada Mixture for the Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Once the chicken’s cooked, add your chopped onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook ’em until they’re nice and soft – about 5 minutes should do it. Then, stir in your black beans, corn, and that glorious enchilada sauce. Bring it all to a simmer and let it bubble away for about 5 minutes. This helps all the flavors meld together. Mmm, smells amazing, right?

Assembling Your Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Alright, the fun part! Grab your bowls and divide that cooked brown rice evenly among them. Then, spoon that chicken and enchilada mixture over the rice. Top it all off with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese. Now, you can either pop the bowls in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese, or just let the residual heat do its thing. Your call! I usually just let it melt on its own ’cause I’m impatient like that.

Tips for the Best Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Want to take these Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls from “good” to “OMG AMAZING?” Here are a few of my go-to tricks:

Ingredient Swaps for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Get creative! Try swapping the cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a kick. Quinoa instead of rice? Go for it! Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. That’s what cooking’s all about, right?

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Okay, let’s chat ingredients for a sec. Wanna save some time? Grab a rotisserie chicken! Seriously, shred it up and you’re golden. As for the rice, if brown rice isn’t your jam, white rice or even quinoa works great. Just cook it according to the package directions. I’m all about making these easy high protein meals even *easier*!

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

These Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls are pretty awesome on their own, but if you wanna take things to the next level (and who doesn’t?), try serving them with a simple side salad. A little lettuce, tomato, and a light vinaigrette? Perfect! Or, you know, go all out and whip up some guacamole. Because guac makes everything better, right?

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the things I get asked most about these delicious Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls:

Can I make Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls ahead of time?

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of these things – they’re *made* for healthy meal prep for the week! Just assemble the bowls (without the cheese and toppings), let them cool completely, and then store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Add the cheese right before reheating. Boom! High protein lunch ideas sorted.

Are Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls healthy?

You bet! They’re packed with protein (thanks, chicken and beans!), complex carbs from the brown rice, and you can load ’em up with veggies. Plus, you control the ingredients, so you can make them as high protein low calorie meals as you want! It’s one of my favorite healthy high protein recipes for a reason.

Can I use different protein in Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls?

Totally! Ground turkey or even crumbled tofu are awesome substitutes. Just cook them up the same way you would the chicken. Seriously, these bowls are super versatile when it comes to easy high protein meals.

Can I freeze Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls?

Yep! I recommend freezing them *before* adding the cheese and any fresh toppings like avocado. Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat. Easy peasy!

Storage & Reheating Instructions for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop ’em in airtight containers and stash ’em in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to 4 days, easy. When you’re ready to dig in again, microwave ’em for a few minutes, or heat ’em up in a skillet. Just make sure they’re heated through!

Nutritional Information for Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls

Okay, so here’s the lowdown on what you’re getting in each bowl. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, ’cause it all depends on your exact ingredients and portion sizes, ya know? But roughly, you’re looking at around 450 calories, 18g of fat, a whopping 35g of protein, and 45g of carbs. Not bad, right?

Enjoy Your Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls and More!

So, there you have it! I hope you love these Chicken Enchilada Protein Bowls as much as I do! Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think, and be sure to share this recipe with your friends! You can also find more inspiration on Pinterest.