Start by dicing the onion and bell pepper into 1/2-inch pieces, and gather all your bowls and ingredients. Place the chicken breasts in a crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours until fully cooked and easily shredded. This long cooking time allows you to prep everything else while the chicken develops tender, flavorful meat. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks or your hands, then season it with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, tossing well to distribute the spices evenly.

While the chicken is cooking or resting after shredding, prepare the instant rice according to package directions, then toss it with lime juice, salt, and cilantro while still warm so the flavors absorb beautifully. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and fresh cilantro to create the cilantro lime sauce. I find that letting this sauce sit for 5 minutes allows the flavors to meld together, making it taste fresher and more integrated. Set both the rice and sauce aside until assembly.

While everything cooks, prep all your fresh toppings: thinly slice the onion, dice the tomatoes, shred the lettuce, and slice the jalapeños, removing the seeds if you prefer a milder heat. Arrange each topping in its own small bowl or on your workspace so you can quickly build bowls during assembly. Having everything prepped and ready makes the final assembly smooth and efficient.

Start each bowl with a generous base of the cilantro lime rice from Step 2, then top with a portion of the seasoned shredded chicken from Step 1. Layer on your fresh toppings from Step 3—sliced onion, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and jalapeño slices—then add a handful of Mexican blend or cheddar cheese and a generous spoonful of salsa. Finish each bowl with a drizzle of cilantro lime sauce from Step 2, which ties all the flavors together. I like to add the sauce right before serving so it doesn't get absorbed into the rice, keeping it creamy and flavorful.