Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga Bowl (Print Version)

Smoky chipotle chicken with roasted veggies and fresh avocado salsa over fluffy rice.

# Components:

→ Chicken & Veggies

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 medium red onion, sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce, chopped
07 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

13 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Avocado Salsa

16 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
17 - 1 medium tomato, diced
18 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
21 - Juice of 1 lime
22 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ To Serve

23 - Lime wedges
24 - Extra cilantro (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces, bell peppers, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and add chipotle in adobo, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
03 - Spread the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender with slight charring.
04 - While chicken roasts, rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - In a bowl, gently combine diced avocados, tomato, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño if using, lime juice, and salt. Toss carefully to combine while keeping texture intact.
06 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each with roasted chicken and vegetables. Spoon avocado salsa over each bowl and garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything roasts on one pan, so cleanup is as easy as crumpling parchment paper and tossing it.
  • The chipotle marinade clings to the chicken and veggies, creating crispy, caramelized edges that taste like hours of work.
  • The avocado salsa is bright and creamy, cutting through the smoky heat in the most satisfying way.
  • It looks impressive enough for company but comes together in under an hour on a Tuesday night.
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the sheet pan or the chicken and veggies will steam instead of roast, and you will miss out on those crispy, caramelized edges.
  • Let the rice rest covered after cooking, skipping this step makes the grains sticky and clumpy instead of light and fluffy.
  • Use ripe but firm avocados for the salsa, overripe ones turn mushy and brown too quickly, ruining the texture.
  • Stir the sheet pan halfway through roasting so everything cooks evenly and the pieces on the edges do not burn while the center stays pale.
03 -
  • Chop the chipotle peppers finely and mix them with the adobo sauce so the smoky heat distributes evenly instead of concentrating in one bite.
  • Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 10 minutes before roasting if you have time, the flavors will penetrate deeper and the crust will be even more flavorful.
  • Use a hot oven and a single layer on the sheet pan, this is the secret to getting those charred, caramelized edges that make the dish taste like it came from a wood-fired grill.
  • Taste the avocado salsa before serving and adjust the lime and salt, a little extra of either can make it go from good to unforgettable.
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