Learn how to make the best Burrito Bowl Sauce plus a full burrito bowl recipe with chicken, rice, beans, and toppings.
authorโs note
My Secret To The Best Burrito Bowls!
I originally created this burrito bowl sauce while testing my burrito bowl recipe. The bowls themselves were already amazing but something still felt missing. The whole bowl needed something creamy and flavorful to tie everything together.
I started experimenting with different sauces, trying a cilantro sauce, a yogurt-based sauce, and even a few vinaigrettes. They were fine, but none of them delivered the restaurant-style flavor I was looking for. Then I found the winning combo when I whisked together mayo, fresh lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and a little Sriracha.
That creamy chili-lime burrito bowl sauce instantly transformed the entire dish. Now I honestly think the burrito bowl sauce is the best part of the whole meal, and judging from the comments on the recipe, readers seem to agree.
Burrito Bowl Sauce Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tip or Swap |
|---|---|
| Mayo | A high-quality mayo makes all the difference here. I love Hellmans. |
| Fresh Lime Juice | Hereโs the zester and juicer I use. |
| Chili Powder | Adds warmth and a mild smoky flavor. Adjust to taste. |
| Cumin | Brings the classic burrito bowl flavor. |
| Paprika | Smoked paprika will work but adds a smoky flavor. |
| Sriracha | Gives the sauce a gentle kick. Add more if you like it spicy and less if you donโt. |
How To Make This Burrito Bowl Sauce
- Prep the lime: Zest and juice the lime into a small bowl.
- Add spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add mayo: Whisk in mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
- Add heat: Stir in Sriracha to taste.
- Chill: Refrigerate a few minutes to let the flavors blend.
chelseaโs recipe tip
My Favorite Ways To Use This Burrito Bowl Sauce
- Tacos: Drizzle it over chicken, beef, or shrimp tacos for an extra layer of flavor.
- Burritos: Spread a little inside the tortilla before filling your burrito.
- Rice Bowls: I use it on all my burrito bowls but this sweet potato burrito bowl is favorite.
- Walking Tacos: Spoon it right over the taco meat and toppings.
- Quesadillas: Use it as a dip for cheesy quesadillas or drizzle it inside before cooking.
- Grilled or Baked Chicken: Brush it on cooked chicken or serve it on the side.
Storage
- Store burrito bowl sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one week.
- If the sauce thickens in the fridge, stir in a small splash of lime juice or water to loosen it.
More Dishes To Use This Sauce On:
Burrito Bowl Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts see note 1
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
Instructionsย
- Follow your chosen recipe for cilantro-lime or plain rice, making enough to yield 3โ4 cups; this will require 1 cup of dry rice.
- Trim chicken and cut each breast in half widthwise to create 4 thin filets. Pound lightly for even thickness. Pat dry and place in a large bowl.
- Stir together all seasonings in a small bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over chicken, toss, sprinkle with seasonings, and toss again.
- Heat remaining oil in a pan over high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer, with no overlapping, for 2โ4 minutes each side until it reaches 165ยฐF. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Rest 5 minutes, then dice.
- Zest limes with aย zesterย to get 1/4 teaspoon zest. Juice the limes using a citrus juicer to get 3 tablespoons lime juice. Whisk together sauce ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until using.
- Divide rice, chicken, black beans, corn, diced avocado, and tomatoes evenly among bowls. Divide any optional toppings. Drizzle sauce evenly, or to taste, on bowls. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for dinner tonightโฆ excellent. The sauce brought everything togetherโฆ definitely making this again!
Iโm so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Debi!
I forgot to buy chicken breast, so I made this using boneless skinless thighs and it turned out great! I used the seasoning as a dry rub and threw the thighs in the oven in a baking dish at 425 until it cooked through. I sliced them fresh out of the oven and they stayed moist. Super easy and delicious!
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks Briana!
I made this today. I added fiesta sweet corn,
red onion and lettuce. Made one pan using ground beef and another with pan with grilled chicken in the pack, used the seasoning on both meats. Yes, I took the short cut. It was good. I will be making this again.
Delish! I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Jackie! ๐
Made this for dinner and it was delicious! I will definitely be making this again (and again, and again)! Thank you!!!
So happy to hear this was a hit!! Thank you Cheryl ๐