Chipotle Burrito Bowl

Short description

This Chipotle burrito bowl recipe brings the bold flavors of your favorite restaurant dish straight to your kitchen. Featuring tender marinated chicken, zesty pico de gallo, creamy guacamole, spiced black beans, and all the classic toppings, it’s an easy and customizable meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic flavor: From the marinated chicken to the fresh pico de gallo, every component of this burrito bowl packs bold, authentic flavor.
• Customizable: Adjust the toppings, protein, and spice level to make this bowl your own.
• Healthy and filling: A well-balanced meal with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, perfect for satisfying your hunger without the heaviness of a traditional burrito.
• Versatile: You can swap out ingredients for other proteins like beef, pork, or tofu, and you can make it gluten-free or dairy-free with easy substitutions.
• Meal prep-friendly: The individual components of the bowl can be made ahead of time, making it an ideal meal prep option.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chipotle Chicken:

• 1/2 red onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1–2 chipotle chiles in adobo, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1–1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

For the Black Beans:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, undrained
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo):

• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, diced
• 1–2 jalapeño peppers, diced
• 1 lime, juiced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Burrito Bowls:

• 1 recipe Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• 1 recipe Chipotle Corn Salsa
• 1 recipe Chipotle Guacamole
• 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Make the Chicken:

1. Prepare the marinade: In a food processor, blend the red onion, garlic, chipotle chiles, adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, lime juice, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Marinate the chicken: If using chicken breasts, cut them in half horizontally to create thin cutlets. Pat dry, place in a zip-top bag, and pour the marinade over the chicken. Let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1–8 hours.
3. Cook the chicken: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the excess drip off. Cook the chicken for 3–6 minutes per side, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest for 5 minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.

Make the Black Beans:

4. Cook the beans: Warm the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
5. Simmer the beans: Add the black beans, chipotle chile powder, oregano, cumin, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until the beans are tender. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Make the Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo):

6. Prepare the salsa: In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Make the Extras:

7. Prepare the sides: Make the cilantro-lime rice, corn salsa, and guacamole according to your desired recipes or use store-bought versions for a quicker meal.

Assemble the Burrito Bowls:

8. Assemble the bowls: Divide the cilantro-lime rice between four bowls. Top with equal portions of the chopped chicken, black beans, tomato salsa, corn salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
9. Finish and serve: Drizzle with fresh lime juice and serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Servings and timing

• Serves 4
• Prep time: 45 minutes
• Cooking time: 45 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add extra beans, sautéed vegetables, or tofu for a vegetarian version of the burrito bowl.
• Spicy: Add more chipotle chiles or jalapeños to the chicken marinade, beans, or salsa to increase the heat level.
• Grilled chicken: Grill the chicken for an added smoky flavor.
• Low-carb: Skip the rice and add more leafy greens or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Add avocado: If you love extra creaminess, add a few slices of avocado on top of your burrito bowl.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and black beans separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat the chicken and beans on the stovetop or in the microwave until warm. You can assemble the bowl fresh when ready to serve.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different protein?

Yes, you can substitute the chicken with beef, pork, shrimp, or even a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for a different flavor and texture.

2. Can I make this bowl gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free tortillas or rice and check that your condiments (like sour cream and cheese) are gluten-free.

3. How do I make the rice for the bowl?

You can make the cilantro-lime rice by cooking white rice and mixing it with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for flavor. Alternatively, you can use pre-cooked rice to save time.

4. Can I prepare this bowl in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the chicken, beans, and other components in advance and store them in separate containers in the fridge. Assemble the bowls just before serving.

5. How can I make this bowl spicier?

Add extra jalapeños or chipotle chiles to the chicken marinade, black beans, or pico de gallo. You can also drizzle a spicy sauce like hot sauce or Sriracha on top.

6. Can I make a burrito instead of a bowl?

Yes, simply replace the bowl with a large tortilla and fill it with all the ingredients to make a burrito. Wrap it up and enjoy!

7. Can I use canned beans instead of fresh?

Yes, canned black beans work just as well. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the skillet.

8. Can I use store-bought salsa?

Yes, you can use store-bought salsa if you prefer, but making fresh pico de gallo brings an extra level of flavor.

9. How do I keep the chicken tender?

Marinating the chicken helps keep it tender, and cooking it over medium-high heat ensures it’s juicy and flavorful without overcooking.

10. Can I add other toppings?

Absolutely! You can add extra toppings like olives, jalapeños, or even a fried egg for extra flavor.

Conclusion

This homemade Chipotle burrito bowl is packed with vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and a satisfying combination of textures. Whether you enjoy it with chicken, beans, or another protein, it’s a customizable, hearty meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Full of bold, delicious flavors and easy to make, it’s a crowd-pleasing recipe your family will love!

Print