Southwest Chipotle Steak Rice Bowl
This bowl is bold, smoky, spicy, and incredibly satisfying. Tender chipotle-marinated steak is grilled or pan-seared, then served over warm rice with black beans, corn, peppers, avocado, and a zesty chipotle-lime crema. It’s a perfect balance of protein, grains, freshness, and heat — ideal for meal prep or a fast weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite Tex-Mex place.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 20 minutes–8 hours
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chipotle Steak
1–1.25 lbs flank steak or skirt steak
2 tbsp olive oil
2–3 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo
1 tbsp lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Bowl Base
2 cups cooked white rice, brown rice, or cilantro-lime rice
1 cup black beans, warmed
1 cup corn
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, sliced or diced
Fresh cilantro
Chipotle-Lime Crema
¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1–2 tsp chipotle in adobo
Juice of ½ lime
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp water to thin
Instructions
1. Marinate the Steak
Mix olive oil, chipotle, lime juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat steak and marinate 20 minutes–8 hours.
2. Make the Chipotle-Lime Crema
Combine yogurt/sour cream, chipotle, lime juice, salt, and water until smooth.
3. Grill or Sear the Steak
On the grill:
Grill over high heat 3–5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
On a skillet:
Sear on medium-high 3–4 minutes per side for medium.
Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly across the grain.
4. Prep the Southwest Toppings
Warm black beans.
Saute or char bell peppers & onions.
Heat or roast corn.
Slice avocado and chop cilantro.
5. Assemble the Southwest Chipotle Steak Bowls
In each bowl:
Add a base of rice.
Top with sliced chipotle steak.
Add black beans, corn, peppers/onions, and avocado.
Drizzle with chipotle-lime crema.
Garnish with cilantro and an extra squeeze of lime.
Optional Add-Ons
Pico de gallo
Pickled red onions
Shredded lettuce
Crushed tortilla chips
Cotija or feta cheese
Jalapenos
Extra chipotle sauce for heat
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have chipotle in adobo?
Use chili powder + smoked paprika + a little hot sauce as a backup.
What steak cut works best?
Flank, skirt, or sirloin — all take marinade well and slice beautifully.
Can I make this with chicken instead?
Yes! Use chicken breasts or thighs and cook 5–6 minutes per side.
Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely — store steak, rice, beans, and corn together; add avocado + crema fresh.
How do I make it less spicy?
Use only 1 tsp chipotle in the marinade and crema, or replace with mild smoked paprika.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 520–640
Protein: 34–40 g
Carbohydrates: 48–60 g
Fat: 20–28 g
Fiber: 7–10 g
Sodium: ~500 mg