Mexican Lime Chicken and Black Bean Bowl
A zesty, warm bowl featuring tender pan-seared chicken breast, fiber-rich black beans, and colorful bell peppers over a bed of brown rice, topped with fresh avocado and lime.
Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
30 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Maria + Lila
Maria created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
A steadier afternoon
Give your day a solid food foundation
Being properly fed cannot solve a hard day, but a substantial meal can remove hunger and an energy dip from the list of things you are juggling.
Notice: mood + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces
- 01
Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces
Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Toss in a medium bowl with the olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and oregano until evenly coated.
Look for: evenly coated
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
Look for: the chicken is browned and cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C)
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the sliced bell pepper and red…
Add the sliced bell pepper and red onion to the skillet. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
Look for: the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in the drained black beans and…
Stir in the drained black beans and heat through for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Allow: 1 to 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 05
Warm the pre-cooked brown rice and place…
Warm the pre-cooked brown rice and place it at the base of your serving bowl.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Spoon the chicken
Spoon the chicken, pepper, onion, and black bean mixture over the rice.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Top with the sliced avocado
Top with the sliced avocado, squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top, and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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