Chicken Guacamole Bowls

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These chicken guacamole bowls are a simple, flavor-packed meal where juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies roast together on a single sheet pan for easy prep and cleanup.The chicken and veggies are served over a fresh and creamy guacamole with a sprinkle of tangy cotija cheese. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens up the dish and ties all the bold, fresh flavors together.

A recipe photo of Chicken Guacamole Bowl.
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

  • The chicken and veggies roast on one sheet pan for quick cleanup. 
  • Guacamole as the base not only adds creaminess, but fiber and heart-healthy fats from the avocado. 
  • Customize these bowls with your favorite toppings like radishes, cilantro or sour cream.

Our Chicken Guacamole Bowl is the fajita meets trendy “bowls” mash-up you’ve been waiting for. This meal is also easy on cleanup when you roast deliciously juicy chicken thighs with sweet bell peppers and crisp red onions. The chicken is seasoned with smoky spices, and the veggies still have a little bite when they come out of the oven. They pair perfectly with the creamy, velvety guacamole. The cotija cheese gives a nice cool, saltiness to pull all the flavors together—a total hit! Keep reading for our expert tips on roasting, ingredient substitutions and more.  

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Our recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary, so use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. To save time, you can opt for a low-sodium rotisserie chicken from the supermarket.
  • We cook the vegetables first to soften them, then add the chicken and broil briefly to enhance flavor and browning without overcooking the meat.
  • To reduce preparation time, consider using store-bought guacamole, available in both mild and spicy varieties.
  • You can serve the chicken and guacamole in soft tortillas for a change of pace.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken thighs are high in protein—one of the nutrients to help increase your satiety after this meal. Chicken thighs are slightly higher in fat, because they contain a mix of white and dark meat. This also means they are slightly higher in iron than chicken breast. 
  • Avocados are another satiety component to this delicious bowl, because of their healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and fiber. Avocados are also a source of potassium and folate, two nutrients important for heart health. 
  • Bell peppers have more vitamin C than an orange, but some of this may be lost in the roasting process. They are also rich in other antioxidants, such as beta carotene and quercetin, which are important for protecting cells from damage that can lead to heart disease and cancer.
Ingredients for a chicken guacamole bowl arranged on a surface

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 medium red bell peppers, sliced ¼-inch thick (about 3 cups)

  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about cups)

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • teaspoons smoked paprika, divided

  • teaspoons ground cumin, divided

  • teaspoons granulated garlic, divided

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder

  • 3 medium ripe avocados, diced

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped 

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus wedges for serving

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F with oven rack in center position. Toss sliced bell pepper and sliced onion with 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon each smoked paprika, cumin and granulated garlic and ¼ teaspoon salt on a large rimmed baking sheet until evenly coated. Roast until the peppers and onions are softened, stirring once halfway through, 10 to 15 minutes.

    Sliced red onions and bell peppers spread on a baking sheet for roasting

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon chili powder and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon each smoked paprika, cumin and granulated garlic.

  3. Increase oven temperature to broil. Arrange the chicken evenly over the pepper mixture. Broil on the center rack until the vegetables are slightly charred and the chicken is cooked through (165°F), about 6 minutes.

    Sheet pan with cooked chicken and vegetables including red bell peppers and onions arranged for a chicken guacamole bowl preparation

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

  4. Meanwhile, in another medium bowl, mash diced avocados, ¼ cup cilantro, the chopped jalapeño, 1 tablespoon lime juice, ¼ teaspoon pepper and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to reach desired consistency.

    A bowl of mashed guacamole topped with herbs a fork placed in it

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

  5. Divide the avocado mixture among 4 shallow bowls (about ⅓ cup each); spread to cover bottoms of bowls. Top the bowls with the chicken and pepper mixture (about 1¼ cups each). Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cotija. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I substitute the chicken?

    Absolutely. The guacamole bowl would be delicious with grilled or sautéed shrimp, steak, pork, ground turkey, ground beef or baked tofu.

  • Do I have to use the cilantro?

    If you dislike cilantro, use parsley instead. It’s a suitable substitute.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Keep the chicken and peppers separate from the guacamole and the toppings. Store them in airtight containers. To prevent browning, press a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly onto the avocado mixture before sealing it in an airtight container. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, reheat the chicken and peppers in the microwave, add them to the chilled guacamole and then add the toppings.

  • What should I serve with a Chicken Guacamole Bowl?

    The bowl is a meal on its own, but warm corn tortillas are a perfect pairing. You could also serve it with a few sides, such as our Esquites (Mexican Corn), Mexican Cauliflower Rice or Purple Fruit Salad.

EatingWell.com, August 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

453 Calories
29g Fat
22g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1½ cups (3 oz. chicken, about ⅓ cup guacamole & ¾ cup veggie mixture)
Calories 453
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 9g 30%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 29g 37%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Vitamin A 146µg
Vitamin C 94mg 104%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 4mg 30%
Folate 111µg
Vitamin K 30µg
Sodium 798mg 35%
Calcium 88mg 7%
Iron 3mg 16%
Magnesium 75mg 18%
Potassium 1031mg 22%
Zinc 3mg 30%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.