Chipotle Burrito Bowl Copycat Recipe

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There are two kinds of people: those who love burritos and those like me who can’t get enough of a Chipotle Burrito Bowl. For rice lovers, this bowl’s hearty serving of rice beats the traditional tortilla wrap.

Another plus is that a burrito bowl is healthier than a burrito since it’s naturally gluten-free. You can also mix things up by adding a taco to your bowl, enjoying the best of both worlds in one delicious dish.

A traditional burrito commonly contains rice, chicken, beans, guacamole, veggies, and cheese. However, the inclusion of Chipotle’s Cilantro-Lime Rice and Chipotle Chicken makes this bowl stand out to me.

You can also add or remove components as you like. So, let us now get into the details of this delicious Chipotle Burrito Bowl.

Equipment Required

Small Bowls: I use small bowls to assemble all the components before preparing the burrito bowl.
Medium-Sized Bowl: You will need a medium-sized bowl to make the fresh tomato salsa.
Sharp Knife: I use a sharp knife to cut all the vegetables.
Chopping Board: While I use a wooden chopping board for veggies, you can also use a metal or plastic one, depending on your preference.
Bowl: You can use any large-sized salad bowl to serve this dish.

How-To-Make-Chipotle-Burrito-Bowl-At-Home

Chipotle Burrito Bowl Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 2 servings as a side.

1 Pound Chipotle Chicken: Chipotle chicken is marinated boneless chicken breasts cooked on the grill or stovetop. If it isn’t available, you can use regular chicken breasts.
2 Cups Cilantro Lime Rice: I sometimes use brown or plain white rice instead of cilantro lime rice in this recipe.
1 Cup Corn Salsa
15-Ounce can of black beans (lightly drained): You can also use kidney or black-eyed beans as an alternative in this burrito bowl.
4 Cups Shredded Romaine Lettuce: You can also use iceberg lettuce as a substitute.
1 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: Pepper jack, Gouda, or cheddar cheese can be substituted.
1 Recipe Chipotle Guacamole
½ Cup Sour Cream, garnish: Greek yogurt or creme fraiche can be substituted.
1 Lime (cut into wedges, for serving)

Fresh Tomato Salsa

2 to 3 Medium Tomatoes (1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds, cut into ¼-inch pieces): While Roma tomatoes are considered the best for making salsa, San Marzano and heirloom tomatoes are also good choices for salsa.
¼ Cup Red Onion (finely chopped): White or yellow onions or shallots can be substituted in the salsa.
¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro (finely chopped): You can also use parsley, Thai basil, or dill in the recipe.
3 Jalapeño Peppers (finely chopped): Cayenne pepper powder works best as an alternative.
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice or white vinegar can also be substituted.
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice: Other citrus juices, such as grapefruit or orange juice, can be used as an alternative.
Salt, to taste: Himalayan pink or black salt can be used for seasoning.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Marination Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
35 Minutes	1 Hour 5 Minutes	25 Minutes	2 Hours 5 Minutes

How To Make a Chipotle Burrito Bowl At Home

Step 1

To make the fresh tomato salsa, add finely chopped tomatoes, finely chopped jalapeño peppers, cilantro, and onions to a medium-sized bowl and mix until well combined.

Step 2

Assemble the burrito bowl by placing the chicken, corn salsa, cilantro-lime rice, and black beans in it, as shown in the image.

Step 3

Further, add the tomato salsa, followed by lettuce and Chipotle guacamole.

Step 4

Garnish the bowl with Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream.

Step 5

The Chipotle Burrito Bowl will be ready in no time! Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

The best part about cooking at home is that you can monitor the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Therefore, I always opt for fresh veggies and quality ingredients to get a flavorful and fresh bowl or burrito.
You can also customize a burrito bowl to your liking, with endless possibilities. For instance, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for protein, include black beans or pinto beans for extra fiber, or top it with guacamole, sour cream, or shredded cheese.
I also prefer making a few components ahead of time, leaving only the bowl to assemble for serving. This saves me a lot of time and makes for a quick dinner.

FAQs About Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Why is your Chipotle Burrito Bowl soggy?

If you haven’t drained your canned beans properly or added salsa, sour cream, and other wet ingredients before eating the bowl, the moisture content of the ingredients can make your burrito bowl soggy. So, prepare and serve the burrito bowl immediately.

How do I keep my burrito bowl fresh if I prepare it beforehand?

You can prepare the components of a burrito bowl in advance, but make sure to store them separately to maintain their freshness. You can assemble all the components right before serving or consuming them.

Why does my burrito bowl have uneven flavors?

To ensure that the flavors are distributed evenly throughout the bowl, you need to consciously assemble all the components. Make sure to season them well and taste as you go. Most importantly, the portion size of each element should be in the right proportion to the other.

How do I ensure the chicken in my burrito bowl isn’t dry?

Avoid overcooking the meat, as it can become dry. Cook it until it’s done, and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This method will keep your meat moist and prevent it from drying out.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Chipotle’s Burrito Bowl is absolutely healthy and packed with nutrients. It is a mix of healthy dishes and salads, which makes it a completely healthy meal. However, it is also high in calories and carbohydrates, so I recommend you have it in moderation.

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

The good news is that this bowl is suitable for people following a non-vegetarian and gluten-free diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: To make this burrito bowl vegan-friendly, I replaced chicken with smoked tofu, Monterey Jack cheese with cashew-based vegan cheese, and sour cream with vegan cream.
Dairy-Free Diet: Since my son is lactose intolerant, I make a burrito bowl that suits his diet using cashew-based vegan cheese and cashew cream instead of Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream.
Keto-Friendly Diet: To make this burrito bowl keto-friendly, people following a keto diet can substitute shirataki or cauliflower rice for cilantro-lime rice. Soybeans can also be added instead of black beans.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I usually store the leftovers from the burrito bowl by wrapping the bowl tightly in cling wrap or aluminum foil, then placing it in the refrigerator. You can also transfer the components to an airtight container if you desire. When refrigerated, the bowl will last for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: When freezing the leftovers from my burrito bowl, I usually store the toppings, like sour cream and guacamole, in one airtight container and the other components in another. This way, they can last for up to 3 months when frozen.

Reheating

Microwave: Usually, the bowls I use to assemble components are microwave-safe, so I cover them with a microwave-safe lid and place them in the microwave to reheat. I reheat for 15-second intervals until they are warmed through.
Oven: To reheat the bowl in the oven, loosely wrap it in aluminum foil and place it on the baking sheet. I then reheat the dish in a preheated oven at 225°F for about 30 minutes, or until heated through.

What To Serve With This Recipe

While a burrito bowl is a complete meal in itself as it covers all the components, you can still pair it with many other dishes, Dips, and Sauces. For example, you can serve it along with Hot Chicken Soup, Sautéed Vegetables, Pickled Sausage, and Quesadillas.

Printable Version

More Chipotle Recipes That You Can Try

Chipotle Copycat Chicken Marinade Recipe — Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Copycat Chipotle Guacamole Recipe — Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Conclusion

You can also use your creativity and customize a Chipotle burrito bowl according to your taste and preferences.

All you need to do is follow the recipe instructions, and with our tips and tricks, you will be able to achieve a perfectly balanced burrito bowl that suits your family’s tastes.

Chipotle Burrito Bowl Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required