Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (2024)

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This Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe combines the best of the famous restaurant recipes you love in one delicious meal. Make it a Chipotle night without leaving the house!

Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (1)

We are all Chipotle lovers in this house. It’s been our go-to takeout restaurant for ages and I’ve had a blast recreating a growing list of their recipes at home. The famous Chipotle chicken burrito bowl was my initial motivation for creating make at home versions of these recipes.

I decided it was time to bring these recipes together to show you how to make a seriously delicious copycat Chipotle bowl in your own kitchen that rivals the takeout version.

Table of contents

  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Chipotle Burrito Bowl Ingredients
  • How to Make a Chipotle Burrito Bowl
    • Prep the Ingredients
    • Assemble the Burrito Bowls
  • Make-Ahead Tips
  • Variations

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Customization: Each person can customize their copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl to their liking and, the varieties are endless. See the variations I’ve included below for lots of ideas.
  • Quality: Cooking at home allows you to take control of the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
  • Portion Control: You can add as much or as little of each ingredient as you’d like to build a bowl that suits your diet.
  • Meal Prep: Prepare the recipes in advance and store them separately so you can assemble a quick Chipotle Burrito Bowl to take to work or for a quick dinner when you’re short on time.
Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (2)

Chipotle Burrito Bowl Ingredients

Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (3)
  • Chipotle Chicken – My version of Chipotle’s flavorful chicken was inspired by the restaurant’s ingredient list. The marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts can be cooked either on the grill or stovetop because we need our burrito bowls rain or shine!
  • Cilantro Lime Rice – This is the first copycat Chipotle recipe I published. It’s super easy to make at home.
  • Easy Corn Salsa – Chipotle’s corn salsa is made easy with frozen corn. It takes minutes to put together and tastes so much like the restaurant version.
  • Fresh Tomato Salsa – I’ve included the recipe for this super fresh salsa in the recipe card below. It’s basically pico de gallo and adds great flavor and color contrast to the bowls.
  • Chipotle Guacamole – I used Chipotle’s ingredient list to whip up this easy guacamole.
  • For the rest – Canned black beans, chopped romaine lettuce, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and sour cream. I like to serve the bowls with lime wedges and tortilla chips on the side.
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How to Make a Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Before assembling the bowls, prepare the recipes and prep the other ingredients. I’ve included some make-ahead tips below.

Prep the Ingredients

  1. Prepare the Cilantro Lime Rice and cook the the Chipotle Chicken. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then cut it into bite-size pieces.
  2. Mix together the Easy Corn Salsa, Fresh Tomato Salsa (see recipe card), and Chipotle Guacamole.
  3. Drain and warm the black beans in a small saucepan.
  4. Shred the cheese and chop the lettuce.

Assemble the Burrito Bowls

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  1. Base – Divide the rice and lettuce between the bowls to create a base for the other ingredients.
  2. Protein – Add the Chipotle Chicken and warmed black beans.
  3. Salsas – A spoon full of Easy Corn Salsa and Fresh Tomato Salsa.
  4. Garnish – Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.

Make-Ahead Tips

Most of the ingredients for the Chipotle bowls can either be made or prepped in advance to save time.

  • Chicken: The chicken can be marinated for up to 8 hours or even frozen in the marinade.
  • Salsas: The corn salsa and fresh tomato salsa can both be made up to a day in advance. Just transfer them to airtight containers and refrigerate until needed.
  • Rice: I suggest cooking starting the rice just before you cook the chicken. If you want to make it in advance. Sprinkle it with a little water to refresh and rehydrate it before gently warming in the microwave or on the stove.
  • Lettuce and cheese: Chop the lettuce and shred the cheese, transfer them to zippered plastic storage bags and pop them in the fridge up to a day in advance.
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Variations

Meat: Instead of chicken burrito bowls, try this recipe with crispy Carnitas, Instant Pot Barbacoa, or my Mexican Shredded Beef. They are also excellent with the tender shredded chicken from my Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos recipe.

Rice: For a healthier bowl, substitute cooked whole grain brown rice. We also love them with my Restaurant Style Mexican Rice.

Beans: I switch back and forth between using black beans and pinto beans. If you love refried beans, those work too!

Cheese: Add some shredded cheddar cheese or crumbled cotija for more authentic Mexican flavor.

Salsa: Easy Blender Salsa, Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, or Creamy Tomatillo Avocado Salsa are all delicious choices. Or substitute your favorite store-bought salsa.

Low Carb: If you’re eating low-carb, eliminate the rice and add more greens. Sometimes I will use a bagged mixed lettuce blend or whatever I’ve got growing in my veggie garden!

Veggies: Create easy fajita veggies by sautéing thinly sliced onions and bell peppers in a skillet with a a little olive oil until tender. For a little heat, add a chopped jalapeño.

Make it a Wrap: Toast some tortillas in a dry skillet and load them up with all of the ingredients for a super satisfying wrap.

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Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (7)

Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe)

5 from 160 votes

This Chipotle Burrito Bowl recipe combines the best of the famous restaurant recipes you love in one delicious meal. Make it a Chipotle night without leaving the house!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Valerie Brunmeier

Keyword: chipotle burrito bowl, copycat chipotle bowl

Print RecipePin RecipeRate Recipe

Prep Time:35 minutes minutes

Cook Time:25 minutes minutes

Marinating/Resting Time:1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Total Time:2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Chipotle Chicken
  • 2 cups Cilantro Lime Rice
  • 1 recipe Easy Corn Salsa
  • 15 ounce can black beans, lightly drained
  • 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 recipe Chipotle Guacamole
  • ½ cup sour cream, garnish
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving

Fresh Tomato Salsa

  • 2 to 3 medium tomatoes, 1 to 1½ pounds, cut into ¼ -inch pieces
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

  • Prepare the individual recipes listed above according to the directions. See below for the Fresh Tomato Salsa instructions.

  • Warm the black beans in a small saucepan over LOW heat.

For the Fresh Tomato Salsa

  • Combine the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers in a small bowl. Squeeze the lemon and lime juice over the top and season with salt, to taste. Toss lightly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Assemble the Bowls

  • Assemble the bowls by dividing the cilantro lime rice, lettuce, chicken and beans between 4 salad bowls. Garnish each bowl with cheese, guacamole, corn salsa, fresh tomato salsa, and sour cream. Serve the bowls with lime wedges, if desired.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Chicken: The chicken can be marinated for up to 8 hours or even frozen in the marinade.
  • Salsas: The corn salsa and fresh tomato salsa can both be made up to a day in advance. Just transfer them to airtight containers and refrigerate until needed.
  • Rice: I suggest cooking starting the rice just before you cook the chicken. If you want to make it in advance. Sprinkle it with a little water to refresh and rehydrate it before gently warming in the microwave or on the stove.
  • Lettuce and cheese: Chop the lettuce and shred the cheese, transfer them to zippered plastic storage bags and pop them in the fridge up to a day in advance.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl · Calories: 836 kcal · Carbohydrates: 84 g · Protein: 48 g · Fat: 38 g · Saturated Fat: 15 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 17 g · Trans Fat: 0.01 g · Cholesterol: 108 mg · Sodium: 1486 mg · Potassium: 1974 mg · Fiber: 20 g · Sugar: 7 g · Vitamin A: 6015 IU · Vitamin C: 65 mg · Calcium: 378 mg · Iron: 6 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.

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More Ideas

Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Corn Guacamole
Blender Salsa
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

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Chipotle Burrito Bowl (Copycat Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What's in a burrito bowl from Chipotle? ›

Your choice of freshly grilled meat or sofritas served in a delicious bowl with rice, beans, or fajita veggies, and topped with guac, salsa, sour cream or cheese.

What is Chipotle bowl made of? ›

What is in a burrito bowl at Chipotle? Cilantro lime rice, pinto beans, grilled chicken, charred corn, pico de gallo, guacamole, and shredded cheese.

What is Chipotle dish made of? ›

Chipotle style Chicken Burrito Bowl. Sharing is caring! The Chipotle burrito bowl recreated at home. A satisfying meal made at home with copycat Chipotle burrito bowl elements- cilantro-lime rice, guacamole, salsa, corn salsa, chicken, and black beans.

How much rice is in a Chipotle bowl? ›

Chipotle says a serving size of rice should be 4 ounces. But even after subtracting the weight of the bowl (. 038 ounces) from this, our serving was still bigger than what Chipotle describes. The rice weighed roughly 6.59 ounces, suggesting a serving of white rice could easily be well above the advertised 185 calories.

What rice does Chipotle use? ›

Around here, all you need to know is that we use long-grain white rice. We have always been committed to preparing real food made with real ingredients. You know, the kind you can recognize and pronounce. In fact, we've listed every single one of them right here.

What cheese do they use at Chipotle? ›

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is used to make quesadillas and queso dip, and it's happily added to any menu item when asked.

How to make Chipotle from scratch? ›

Instructions
  1. Lay the peppers in your smoker in one layer, ideally not touching. ...
  2. Smoke the peppers at least 6 hours, but I prefer all day, like 16 hours. ...
  3. If you want, you can pull the jalapenos at any time after 6 hours and finish them in a dehydrator set on low heat. ...
  4. Store them in a bag at room temperature.
Sep 4, 2023

Is eating a Chipotle bowl healthy? ›

“You can order a bowl with steak, vegetables, lettuce, salsa, a sprinkle of cheese, black beans and guacamole for around 400 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates,” says Leonard. “This would be fine for anyone following a regular healthy-eating plan.”

What lettuce does Chipotle use? ›

Chipotle Mexican Grill replaces romaine with Supergreens lettuce mix | Nation's Restaurant News.

What is a good substitute for Chipotle sauce? ›

Smoked Paprika has all the smoky flavor you crave, making it the best substitute for chipotle. Although it is a much milder spice than dried chipotle or even fresh jalapeños, mix in the desired amount of cayenne pepper to dial up the heat.

What is Chipotle sauce made of? ›

Chipotle sauce is made from chipotles in adobo, spices, cilantro, lime juice, sour cream, and mayonnaise. All of these ingredients are blended together for a smooth, smoky, slightly spicy sauce your family will love!

What's in a Chipotle bowl? ›

Your choice of freshly grilled meat or sofritas served in a delicious bowl with rice, beans, or fajita veggies, and topped with guac, salsa, sour cream or cheese.

Does Chipotle add oil to their rice? ›

After the rice is cooked, it's tossed in the smallest amount of olive oil to keep the grains separated (according to their website, Chipotle uses rice bran oil, although it's much more likely you have olive oil in your pantry). There's also the balance that's found in tossing the rice in both lime and lemon juice.

What's the difference between a fajita bowl and a burrito bowl? ›

The main difference between both the dishes is that Fajitas typically contained grilled meat and veggies while Burritos is made with meat, beans, and a combination of other fillings. Also, the burrito is wrapped with extra-large-sized tortillas but Fajitas wrapped in small ones.

What's the difference between a burrito bowl and a salad bowl at chipotle? ›

Barring these variables, burrito bowls, at their most basic price, are seemingly more expensive than some other dishes. They are similar to Chipotle salads, but they swap the base of greens with a base of rice, beans, or fajita veggies.

How much meat in chipotle burrito bowl? ›

Those prescribed serving sizes are four ounces of meat and rice, two ounces of green or red salsa and a one-ounce pinch of cheese or lettuce, according to an employee handbook that describes the “art of portioning.”

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