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Home Diet Low Carb
5
/5
30 minutes minutes

Santa Fe Low Carb Chicken Meal Prep

Gluten Free Gluten Free Low Carb Low Carb Nut Free Nut Free Meal Prep Meal Prep
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard18 Comments
Posted: 3/11/21 Updated: 4/19/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

With cilantro lime cauliflower rice and taco-seasoned chicken breast, these Santa Fe meal prep bowls have just 8 g net carbs, yet still fill you up.

Meal prep is a great way to ensure you get lots of veggies into your diet, and that you keep on track with your healthy eating goals. Like this egg roll in a bowl, or low carb cheesy chicken and rice, these Santa Fe meal prep bowls are perfect if you are following a keto or low carb diet.

overhead shot of the Santa Fe Low Carb Chicken Meal Prep
Jump to... show
1 Why you're going to ♡ this recipe
2 Recipe video
3 Ingredient notes
4 Step by step directions
5 FAQ
6 More low carb meal prep recipes
7 Santa Fe Chicken Low Carb Meal Prep Bowls

This recipe combines taco seasoned taco breast smothered in cheese, with cilantro lime cauliflower rice and sautéd bell peppers. Serve it up with half an avocado for healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied!

Why you're going to ♡ this recipe

  • it has a ton of healthy, low carb vegetables as well as protein and fats to keep you full
  • has 8 g net carbs and 25 g protein to fit into a low carb or keto diet
  • it is loaded with TexMex flavor!

Recipe video

Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped these Santa Fe chicken bowls. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.

Ingredient notes

  • chicken- I've used boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but you could easily swap for boneless skinless chicken thighs. You could also swap for ground turkey or ground beef!
  • taco seasoning- store bought taco seasoning can sometimes have sneaky carbs, so make your own!
  • cauliflower rice- make your own, or use store bought riced cauliflower as a short cut.
  • cheese- go for mozzarella, monterey jack, or even pepper jack
  • avocado- since it browns when cut ahead, you'll want to add it fresh

Step by step directions

  • rice cauliflower in a food processor
  • add cilantro and lime zest and cook until al dente

1. Prepare cilantro lime cauliflower rice- You can make your own cauliflower rice in a food processor, or purchase pre-riced cauliflower as a short cut.

  • a. wash and dry cauliflower.
  • b. cut into 1-2 inch florets. Try to get them uniformly sized.
  • c. pulse 10-15 times until broken down into rice-sized pieces.
  • d. if you have random large cauliflower florets, simply pick them out.

To make cilantro lime cauliflower rice, you will heat oil in a pan, then add the cauliflower rice, some salt, garlic powder and lime zest. Cook until slightly softened, then stir in the cilantro and remove from heat.

TIP- keep some crunch to the cauliflower rice; it will cook for a second time when you heat it in the microwave

2. Sauté bell peppers & onions- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, and cook the bell peppers and red onion for 5 minutes, or until softened slightly. Transfer to a clean plate, or portion out into meal prep containers and allow to cool.

  • season chicken breast with taco seasoning
  • pan fry until cooked through

3. Cook the chicken- Slice the chicken horizontally to make 2 thin slices, then brush with olive oil and rub taco seasoning all over.

Cook in a nonstick pan for 4-5 minutes per side; remove the pan from the heat, cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes

overhead shot of four portions of the Santa Fe Low Carb Chicken Meal Prep

4. Portion out- Divide the cooled vegetables and chicken between four 3 cup meal prep containers. Sprinkle with cheese, put the lids on, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

TIP- cauliflower rice does not smell amazing on days 2-4, but it still tastes great!

FAQ

Can I swap out the chicken for another protein?

Absolutely! I'd swap for 1 lb of ground turkey or ground beef, or even some black beans (though that will no longer be low carb).

How can I lower the carb count in this recipe?

Try replacing a portion of the onions and bell peppers with some mushrooms and zucchini, which have overall less net carbs.

Doesn't that avocado go brown?

Yes, it does...make sure you add it fresh 🙂

overhead shot of the Santa Fe Low Carb Chicken Meal Prep

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  • Low Carb Satay Beef Meal Prep
  • Low Carb Greek Turkey Meal Prep
  • 26 Low Carb Meal Prep Recipes
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Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

four glass meal prep containers with santa fe chicken meal prep bowls

Santa Fe Chicken Low Carb Meal Prep Bowls

5 from 24 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Print Rate
Santa Fe chicken low carb meal prep has cilantro lime cauliflower rice and bell peppers topped with seasoned chicken breast and cheese! 8 g net carbs.
4

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

  • 4 cups cauliflower riced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lime zested
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves packed

Veggies

  • 2 bell peppers sliced
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally; roughly 2 large chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

To serve

  • ¼ cup cheese shredded
  • 2 avocados note 1

Instructions 

  • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice- Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the cauliflower rice, some salt, garlic powder and lime zest. Cook until slightly softened, then stir in the cilantro and remove from heat.
  • Sauté bell peppers & onions- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, and cook the bell peppers and red onion for 5 minutes, or until softened slightly. Transfer to a clean plate, or portion out into meal prep containers and allow to cool.
  • Cook the chicken- Slice the chicken horizontally to make 2 thin slices, then brush with olive oil and rub taco seasoning all over.
    Cook in a nonstick pan for 4-5 minutes per side; remove the pan from the heat, cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes
  • Portion- Divide the cooled vegetables and chicken between four 3 cup meal prep containers. Sprinkle with cheese, put the lids on, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    four glass meal prep containers with santa fe chicken meal prep bowls
  • To serve- Heat in the microwave until steaming hot, and cheese is melted over the chicken. Add sliced avocado, if desired.

Tips:

1- cut and add it fresh; nutritional information does not include avocado; adding ½ an avocado to a meal prep bowl brings net carb count to 9 g with 30 g protein
Storage
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days
 

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1lunch bowl, Calories: 303kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 79mg, Sodium: 456mg, Potassium: 883mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 2150IU, Vitamin C: 130.8mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 1.3mg
Author: Annie Holmes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Reader Interactions

5 from 24 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kate says

    Posted on 7/14/21 at Posted on 7/14/21

    5 stars
    Made this for dinner last night--absolutely wonderful! It converted my husband to appreciating cauliflower rice. Can't wait to make this again!

    Reply
    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Posted on 7/14/21 at Posted on 7/14/21

      Hi Kate, we're so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Cauliflower rice is delicious isn't it? Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review!

      Reply
  2. Misty D says

    Posted on 4/8/21 at Posted on 4/8/21

    Does adding the avocado add calories or is that included in the 303 per serving?

    Reply
    • Denise Bustard says

      Posted on 4/19/21 at Posted on 4/19/21

      Hi Misty! The nutritional info does not include the avocado.

      Reply
  3. Jane says

    Posted on 1/26/21 at Posted on 1/26/21

    Is 303 kcal a lot ?

    Reply
    • Denise Bustard says

      Posted on 1/27/21 at Posted on 1/27/21

      Hi Jane, I generally aim for 400 calories for a lunch recipe, but it will depend on your dietary needs. You should talk to a registered dietician if you are unsure.

      Reply
  4. Bridget says

    Posted on 7/7/20 at Posted on 7/7/20

    Can you freeze this recipe?

    Reply
    • Denise Bustard says

      Posted on 7/13/20 at Posted on 7/13/20

      Hi Bridget! I haven't personally frozen it, but I think it would work fine. The cauliflower rice will be softer when you thaw it FYI. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Melissa G says

    Posted on 4/28/19 at Posted on 4/28/19

    When are you supposed to add the cilantro?

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 5/8/19 at Posted on 5/8/19

      After you've cooked the cauliflower rice. I've just updated the recipe card!

      Reply
  6. Melissa says

    Posted on 3/4/19 at Posted on 3/4/19

    How much mushrooms and zucchini would you use?

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 3/5/19 at Posted on 3/5/19

      I would aim for 1 cup veggies per bowl, but I don't know how that will work out for nutritional info...you can play around with the quantities in a nutritional calculator like on My Fitness Pal!

      Reply
  7. Patty B says

    Posted on 3/4/19 at Posted on 3/4/19

    Hi can I bake the chicken instead of pan fried..thank you

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 3/5/19 at Posted on 3/5/19

      Hi Patty! Absolutely! Here is my favorite way to bake chicken breasts: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/baked-chicken-breast/

      Reply
  8. JennF says

    Posted on 1/6/19 at Posted on 1/6/19

    5 stars
    Really great recipe - the rice came out fantastic. I added some garlic & chili infused olive oil and lime juice and it paired perfectly with the chicken. My kids gobbled it up!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 1/8/19 at Posted on 1/8/19

      I'm so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for your review, Jenn!

      Reply
  9. William Scof says

    Posted on 9/14/18 at Posted on 9/14/18

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe!
    Really the Nutritional info helps alot!
    Chicken combined with any low carb recipe is the perfect food for weight loss!
    Well done!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/20/18 at Posted on 9/20/18

      Thanks, William!

      Reply

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