Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga Bowl (Printable)

Smoky chipotle chicken thighs roasted with peppers and onions over fluffy rice with fresh avocado salsa.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Veggies

01 - 1 lb 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)

# How To Make It:

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 well to coat evenly.
03 - Spread chicken and veggie mixture evenly on prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender with slight char.
04 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - In a bowl, combine diced avocados, tomato, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño if using, lime juice, and salt. Gently toss to combine.
06 - Divide rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with roasted chicken and vegetables. Spoon avocado salsa over each bowl. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One sheet pan means you're basically roasting your way to dinner with minimal cleanup.
  • The chicken stays juicy and the veggies get these gorgeous charred edges that taste way better than they have any right to.
  • That avocado salsa is the secret weapon—fresh, zesty, and it cuts through the smokiness like a dream.
02 -
  • Don't let the avocado salsa sit too long before eating—the lime juice will turn those avocados brown if you make it more than 30 minutes ahead.
  • Stirring the chicken and veggies halfway through roasting is non-negotiable; it's the difference between even cooking and some pieces being overdone while others lag behind.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet—give the chicken and veggies room to roast rather than steam, which is what happens when they're packed too tightly.
  • Pat your chicken thighs dry before tossing them with the spices; any excess moisture will release steam instead of allowing them to brown properly.
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