When enjoying a Chipotle Mexican Grill burrito bowl, the right pairings can truly take your meal to the next level. Corn salsa is a fantastic choice, bringing a sweet, tangy burst of flavor and a vibrant pop of color that adds freshness and complexity to the bowl.
If you’re craving some crunch, crispy tortilla chips are the perfect accompaniment, ideal for scooping up the delicious remnants of your dish while providing a satisfying texture contrast.
To round out the meal, a classic margarita makes a refreshing drink pairing, with its zesty, citrusy notes complementing the bold flavors of the burrito bowl and enhancing the overall dining experience.
Have you ever cut into a burrito, only to have it fall apart like a poorly constructed high school science project? It’s frustrating, right?
Enter the Chipotle burrito bowl: a solution that keeps flavors intact without the mess. Inspired by many meals shared with friends and every Chipotle visit, I decided to recreate its magic at home.
In this blog post, I’ll dive deep into the burrito bowl, sharing not just the ingredients and steps, but a rich exploration of why this dish has captivated many.
From its versatility to its perfect blend of flavors, you’ll soon understand why I adore it. Grab a spoon (and maybe a margarita), and let’s get cooking!
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What is Chipotle Mexican Grill Burrito Bowl?
A Chipotle burrito bowl is a deconstructed burrito. Imagine all the components—a hearty base of rice, savory proteins, fresh vegetables, beans, and toppings—combined in a bowl without the tortilla. It’s customizable, healthy, and easy to enjoy.
Why This Recipe Works
Let’s highlight four key reasons why the Chipotle Mexican Grill burrito bowl is a winner.
- Customization: Everyone loves choice. With a burrito bowl, you can select your beans, proteins, and myriad toppings. Whether you prefer chicken, steak, or sofritas, each person can craft their own masterpiece. Personalization ensures that every bite is exactly as you like it.
- Fresh Ingredients: At Chipotle, quality matters. The ingredients used in burrito bowls are often freshly prepared. This not only amplifies flavor but also enhances the nutritional value. You’re not just eating a meal; you’re investing in your health.
- Balanced Nutrition: This bowl packs a balanced nutritional punch. Protein, carbs, healthy fats, and toppings loaded with vitamins mean you’re satisfying your taste buds and fueling your body.
- Convenience: A burrito bowl is an easy meal option. You can whip it up in a short time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or packed lunches. Plus, it stores well, inviting you to enjoy leftovers without hassle.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Dish
To create your own version of the Chipotle burrito bowl, gather the following ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the pan
- 1/4 medium red onion, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tablespoon chipotle adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
For the Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
For the Corn Salsa:
- 12 ounces frozen corn, thawed
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 roasted poblano pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- Salt to taste
For the Tomato Salsa:
- 1 pound ripe tomatoes, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 jalapeño peppers, deseeded, stemmed, and finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
- Salt to taste
For the Guacamole:
- 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, deseeded, stemmed, and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt to taste
For Assembling the Bowls:
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
How To Make This Chipotle Mexican Grill Burrito Bowl?
Ready to make your own burrito bowl? Let’s break it down into easy steps.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Start by heating a pan over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in the chicken thighs, seasoning them with chipotle adobo sauce, ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the chicken is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about 15-20 minutes).
- Once cooked, let it rest before slicing.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
- In a pot, combine the basmati rice with 2 cups of water and the bay leaf.
- Add a pinch of salt before bringing it to boil, then cover and simmer on low for about 15 minutes until the rice absorbs the water.
- Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, and turmeric.
Step 3: Whip Up the Corn Salsa
- In a bowl, combine thawed corn, diced red onion, roasted poblano, finely chopped jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and lime/lemon juice.
- Stir and season it with salt to taste. Set this tasty mix aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Tomato Salsa
- Dice fresh tomatoes and combine them with red onion, cilantro, finely chopped jalapeños, and lime juice.
- Mix well and add salt to taste before putting it aside.
Step 5: Make the Guacamole
- In a bowl, mash the avocado while mixing in lemon and lime juice to keep it from browning.
- Incorporate red onion, cilantro, chopped jalapeño, and ground coriander. Season with salt.
Step 6: Assemble the Burrito Bowls
- Start with a base of rice.
- Top it with sliced chicken, black beans, and both salsas.
- Add a generous scoop of guacamole.
- Finally, sprinkle cheddar and feta cheese atop your colorful creation.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some handy tips to help you perfect your Chipotle burrito bowl experience:
- Use Quality Ingredients: Fresh ingredients can elevate your dish. Seek out organic produce when possible.
- Add Your Favorite Toppings: You can throw in items like sour cream, jalapeño slices, or chipotle sauce to enhance flavor.
- Make It Spicy or Mild: Adjust the heat in your bowl by varying the number of jalapeños or by including spicy salsa.
- Meal Prep: This dish is perfect for meal prep. Cook in bulk, and pack it for the week. It stays fresh and tasty.
- Experiment with Proteins: Substitute chicken for other proteins like beef, shrimp, or tofu for a different experience.
How Do You Store The Leftovers?
Storing burrito bowl leftovers isn’t complicated.
- Refrigerate: Place leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll last about 3-4 days.
- Freeze: If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze assembled bowls. Components like rice and chicken freeze well. Avoid freezing guacamole; it doesn’t fare well once thawed.
- Reheat: When ready to eat, reheat in a microwave until warmed through. Fresh toppings should be added afterward.
What Sides Would Complement Chipotle Mexican Grill Burrito Bowl?
Here are three side dishes to consider alongside your burrito bowl:
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): This grilled corn on the cob is smeared with mayo, lime, chili powder, and cheese. Its sweet and spicy profile goes wonderfully with the burrito bowl.
- Black Bean Soup: A warm, hearty soup can serve as a perfect addition. It can complement the flavors and offers a soothing contrast to the fresh ingredients in the burrito bowl.
- Taco Salad: Another classic, a taco salad with crispy tortilla strips, romaine, black beans, and avocado dressing can add a crunchy element to your meal.
What Alternatives Can You Use for the Ingredients if They Are Not Present in Your Kitchen?
If you find yourself short on a key ingredient, don’t fret. Here are some alternatives:
- Chicken: Use grilled shrimp, tofu, or even tempeh for different protein options. Each brings its distinct flavor profile to the table.
- Rice: If you’re out of basmati, quinoa or cauliflower rice can be excellent substitutes. Both provide a nutritious base for the bowl.
- Black Beans: No black beans? Kidney beans or pinto beans can fill in. They’ll enhance your bowl without a hitch.
- Toppings: Run out of cheese? Use Greek yogurt for creaminess or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. Fresh herbs are always a welcome substitution as well.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Burrito Bowl Recipe
Equipment
- Pan
- pot
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the pan
- 1/4 medium red onion roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves smashed
- 1 tablespoon chipotle adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
For the Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
For the Corn Salsa:
- 12 ounces frozen corn thawed
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 roasted poblano pepper chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice juice of 1 lime
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
For the Tomato Salsa:
- 1 pound ripe tomatoes diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 jalapeño peppers deseeded, stemmed, and finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
For the Guacamole:
- 2 ripe avocados halved and pitted
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper deseeded, stemmed, and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt to taste
For Assembling the Bowls:
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Ready to make your own burrito bowl? Let’s break it down into easy steps.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Start by heating a pan over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in the chicken thighs, seasoning them with chipotle adobo sauce, ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the chicken is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about 15-20 minutes).
- Once cooked, let it rest before slicing.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
- In a pot, combine the basmati rice with 2 cups of water and the bay leaf.
- Add a pinch of salt before bringing it to boil, then cover and simmer on low for about 15 minutes until the rice absorbs the water.
- Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, and turmeric.
Step 3: Whip Up the Corn Salsa
- In a bowl, combine thawed corn, diced red onion, roasted poblano, finely chopped jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and lime/lemon juice.
- Stir and season it with salt to taste. Set this tasty mix aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Tomato Salsa
- Dice fresh tomatoes and combine them with red onion, cilantro, finely chopped jalapeños, and lime juice.
- Mix well and add salt to taste before putting it aside.
Step 5: Make the Guacamole
- In a bowl, mash the avocado while mixing in lemon and lime juice to keep it from browning.
- Incorporate red onion, cilantro, chopped jalapeño, and ground coriander. Season with salt.
Step 6: Assemble the Burrito Bowls
- Start with a base of rice.
- Top it with sliced chicken, black beans, and both salsas.
- Add a generous scoop of guacamole.
- Finally, sprinkle cheddar and feta cheese atop your colorful creation.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice packs more nutrients and fiber. Just remember that it requires a bit more cooking time.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! All components are gluten-free, but double-check any packaged ingredients like sauces or tortillas to ensure there’s no hidden gluten.
How can I make this dish vegan?
Substitute chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas. Use vegan cheese or skip it altogether. The guacamole remains a must!
Can I make it spicy?
For a spicier kick, add more jalapeños or incorporate spicy salsa and sauce. Adjust to your heat preference.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes around 4 servings, perfect for sharing or meal prep.
Final Thoughts
Chipotle Mexican Grill’s burrito bowl is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. Customizable, nutritious, and easy to prepare, it has earned its place as a household favorite.
With vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and the option for creativity, you can enjoy a personalized meal that fits any craving.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, get cooking, and most importantly, enjoy!
