Yucatan Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Bowls
with Poblano, Smoky Crema & Pickled Onion
- Milk
Punchy, tangy citrus is a key ingredient in the Yucatan’s vibrant cuisine. There, lemon and orange juices are often used to marinate pork and chicken, and also serve as pickling liquid for a tangy onion garnish. Tonight’s Yucatan-inspired marinade blends lemon and mandarin orange juices with zesty spices, which not only adds savory, tangy notes to the finished dish—it also tenderizes the meat for juicy results. It’s served over spiced jasmine rice with sautéed poblano and onion, then drizzled with smoky red pepper crema. lemon-pickled onions and aromatic cilantro complete this truly SUPER bowl.
Ingredients
10 ounce
Chopped Chicken Breast
1 unit
Onion
2 tablespoon
Sour Cream
1 unit
Lemon
1 unit
Long Green Pepper
1 teaspoon
Ancho Chili Powder
12 ounce
Cauliflower Rice
1 teaspoon
Smoked Paprika
1 unit
Mandarin Orange
1 unit
Tex-Mex Paste
1 tablespoon
Southwest Spice Blend
¼ ounce
Cilantro
Not included in your delivery
teaspoon (tsp)
Salt
teaspoon (tsp)
Black Pepper
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Wash and dry produce. • Halve mandarin. Zest and quarter lemon. Halve, peel, and thinly slice onion. Halve, core, and thinly slice poblano crosswise into strips. Roughly chop cilantro. • Pat chicken* dry with paper towels; place in a medium bowl. Toss with Tex-Mex paste, juice from mandarin, juice from one lemon wedge, lemon zest, and half the Southwest Spice (you’ll use the rest later).
• In a small pot, combine rice, ¾ cup water (1½ cups water for 4 servings), remaining Southwest Spice, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. • Keep covered off heat until ready to serve
Skip this step! (Save jasmine rice for another use.)
• While rice cooks, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine ¼ of the onion, juice from two lemon wedges, ¼ tsp sugar (½ tsp for 4 servings), and a pinch of salt. Microwave until onion is softened, 1 minute. Set aside. • In a separate small bowl, combine sour cream, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.
• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add poblano and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes. • Add another drizzle of oil and remaining onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender, 4-6 minutes. • Transfer to a plate.
**Heat a drizzle of oil in pan used for veggies over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower rice and remaining Southwest Spice; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes. Stir in ¼ cup water; cook until tender, 3-4 minutes more. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove from pan; keep covered until ready to serve. **
• Heat a drizzle of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Add a pinch of chili powder to taste. Taste and season with salt and pepper. • Stir in cooked veggies, then remove pan from heat.
• Fluff rice with a fork; stir in 1 TBSP butter and season with salt to taste. • Divide rice between bowls and top with chicken and veggies, crema, and as much pickled onion (draining first) as you like. Sprinkle with cilantro. Halve remaining lemon wedge and serve on the side.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Dec 2025- Flavor: Many loved the spicy, tangy citrus marinade and smoky flavors. Some found it too spicy; consider adjusting seasoning to taste 🌶️.
- Ease of prep: Quick and simple to make, though a few noted multiple steps and ingredients. Consider cooking chicken first, then veggies for crunch.
- Suggestions: Try adding extra herbs or richer stock for deeper flavor. Avocado could be a nice addition to round out the dish.
- Leftovers: Flavors melded well overnight; some enjoyed leftovers cold or repurposed in wraps with cheese.
- Cauliflower rice: Many appreciated this low-carb option. Cook carefully to avoid mushiness; season well for best taste.
- Pickled onions: Surprisingly delicious addition for most. Consider making extra; they're easy and elevate the dish.
Reviews from our home cooks
I wish Hello Fresh had more healthy options like this. It was delicious! This recipe works really well with the cauliflower rice. I added extra spices from my pantry. The only issue was the chicken quality. A lot of it was tiny scraps that seemed like reject misc chicken parts and NOT chicken breast.
Loved the cauliflower rice with this. Chicken peppers and onion great. Did not like the garnish onions in microwave. Not a fan. I just omit them. The drizzling sauce was gritty from the paprika.
This was very tasty. And, I made the regular rice included for this recipe, then for lunch the next day I blended the cauliflower rice with leftover pickled onion from this recipe and leftover balsamic fig sauce from another Hello Fresh recipe. It made a delicious and filling meal.
This dish was delicious. We subbed Cauliflower Rice as we are watching our carbs. I cooked the veggies, rice, and chicken on our flattop griddle. Made the whole process quick and easy!
The citrus and slight kick combo to this meal was very delicious, and the cauliflower rice option made my heart happy!! Thank you!
Wife didn't like this one, but the authentic Mexican flavors were astounding... Must eat it with all the parts the pickled onions, the cream, and the rice. Separated they are average, but together with a fresh squeeze of lime just amazing.
My favorite so far. Excellent flavors. Omitted orange added lemon. Cauliflower rice substitute. I would definitely reorder!!
These were delicious! I can't believe the pickling process for the onion is so easy! It really took out the regular strong onion taste and it was so pleasant to the palette! I am learning so many tricks to use even if it's without using a Hello Fresh meal!
If you like some crunch left in your veggies, cook the chicken first then add the poblano and onion.
Absolutely loved this dish! Full of flavor, great spice but not too much heat and easy to make. This is my favorite dish thus far. Can't wait to order this again!
