Once in a while, when our busy schedules align, a really close friend and I will get our families together for dinner. It ends up quite a large gathering with the 6 of us and the 5 of them. So we usually rack our brains for dinner ideas that are economical and simple to prepare. This way we can enjoy each other’s company instead of spending the whole visit slaving over a stove or cleaning up.
On one such occasion, my close friend came up with this idea for rice bowls for us to make- an idea that was based on food from a local Mexican place. These rice bowls are super easy and fun. They are usually a huge hit with everyone and great for company because you can customize your own toppings and flavors to your liking. This also makes them a huge win with the kids. My kids just love to be part of the dinner making process and creating their own rice bowls.
You can make these rice bowls with ground beef or chicken breasts. Just cook the meat through and season with taco seasoning. You can even use this DIY taco seasoning I recently posted. Put that over some cooked rice and then add toppings. You’re done, a super easy weeknight meal!
Use your imagination with the toppings. Ones we love are- black beans, avocado, peppers, red onions, green onions, cucumbers, olives, tortilla chips, cilantro, and lots of shredded cheese. Top it off with some salsa and sour cream.
Mexican Rice Bowls
Ingredients
For the rice bowls
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef or 2 boneless chicken breast shredded once cooked
- Taco seasoning packet or DIY homemade taco seasoning
- Salt to taste do not need if using packaged taco seasoning
- Cooked Rice
For the toppings (use these or use what you like)
- Chopped red onion chopped green onion
- sliced avacado chopped peppers (any color)
- sliced olives chopped cucumber
- black beans rinsed and drained
- shredded cheese cilantro, tortilla chips, salsa
- Sour cream
Instructions
- For meat- cook according to directions on package of taco seasoning or follow directions for DIY homemade taco seasoning. If using chicken, make sure to shred it before adding the taco seasoning. Add salt to taste to the meat mixture.
- Put some of the meat mixture over rice and add toppings of your choice.
- It's really that easy!!
Notes
*One way to add more flavor and stretch out the hamburger meat to feed more people is to add some chopped onions/garlic while browning meat and throw in a can of beans (drained) with the taco seasoning and water.
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This truly is pretty simple and relative quick. Your entire family will enjoy.