Chipotle Chicken Bowl
Learn how to make the most delicious chipotle chicken bowl at home with all the fixings. This meal will impress your taste buds and anyone you make it for. It is a tastier, healthier, and less expensive alternative to dining at Chipotle. I promise you that this copycat chipotle chicken burrito bowl recipe will be a meal you make on repeat.
What is a Chipotle Chicken Bowl?
Many of us may know of the popular Mexican chain restaurant Chipotle. They are everywhere in the United States, and one of the most common meal items is their chipotle chicken bowl or burrito bowl. You can customize your bowl with whatever toppings you like, from shredded lettuce to cheese, beans, and so on. It gained popularity because it was a filling, healthier alternative for a convenient lunch or dinner.
However, the quality has changed over the years; frankly, I haven’t dined at the establishment since then. I love a really good chipotle burrito bowl, though, and for a while now, I have been perfecting what I think is the best copycat chicken chipotle burrito bowl out there. I seriously cannot wait for you guys to try this recipe.
How to make Chipotle Chicken Bowl?
There are several components to these well-known bowls. Each person may like it differently, and modifying it to your preferences is fine. For example, not a fan of corn? No problem. Maybe swap with black beans instead.
Here are my go-to toppings that work well together:
- Of course, Chicken. And not just any chicken. My chicken marinade for these chipotle chicken bowls is jam-packed with flavor. There is cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, taco seasoning, lime juice, and more.
- Cilantro Lime Rice– simple yet flavorful white or brown rice with a kick of lime juice, zest, and chopped cilantro.
- Guacamole-ripe avocados mashed with tomatoes, cilantro, onions, jalapeno, and lime juice. It adds a creamy and fresh component that compliments the bowl and is one of my favorites.
- Corn Salsa– this simple yet delicious salsa of sweet corn kernels, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, and lime juice adds a pop of sweetness and acidity.
- Sauteed Onions & Peppers (Fajita Veggies)-The onions and peppers caramelize in their seasonings and olive oil to truly add fantastic flavor to the burrito bowl.
- Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette– to me, this makes the bowl complete. This known chipotle sauce has ingredients like chipotle in adobo, honey, vinegar, lime juice, and more that add a punch of flavor to the entire meal. It ties it all together, especially if you love a little sweetness and heat.
FAQS
The most common questions with their answers.
- Can any components of this recipe be made ahead of time? Yes, definitely. The chicken can be marinated from the night before, saving you time the day of. Also, the corn salsa can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Prep work for slicing the onions and peppers can be done hours in advance, if not the evening before. The chipotle honey vinaigrette can also be made a few days in advance. Just stir it or thin it out of needed before using. Lastly, you can also shred the lettuce and cheese prior. All of these steps can help save a lot of time the day of to ensure a successful homemade chipotle chicken bowl!
- Can chicken thighs be used instead of chicken breast? I believe Chipotle uses chicken thighs, but I have always preferred chicken breast. If you follow my instructions, you will yield a tender and juicy result.
- What are some other topping ideas? Here are a few more ways to customize your chipotle chicken bowl: add sour cream, black beans, pico de Gallo, pinto beans, and/or salsa. All these make great options. Enjoy the bowl with a tortilla, too, if you would like!
Check out these other delicious chicken-forward meals:
Cilantro Lemon Chicken with coconut rice and mango, Baked Za’atar chicken with potatoes, Chicken & Veggie Casserole, Halal Cart Chicken
I would love to hear what you think of my chipotle chicken bowl recipe in the comment section below. Please leave a star rating and review! You can also send remakes my way on Instagram!
Chipotle Chicken Bowl (Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lb Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless about 4 medium sized chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/4 cup Taco seasoning
- 2 tbsp Garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 2 tsp Chili powder
- 2 tsp Onion powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste I roughly do 1.5 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 Lime's juice
Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1.5 cups White rice, long grain soaked and rinsed
- 3 cups Vegetable Stock or water stock has more flavor
- 1 Lime's zest
- 1 Lime's juice
- Handful chopped cilantro
Sauteed Onions & Peppers
- 1 Onion, large, thinly sliced
- 1 Bell Pepper, colored, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
Guacamole
- 3 Avocados, ripe mashed
- 1/2 Red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 Jalapeno, finely diced
- Handful chopped cilantro
- 1 Tomato, finely diced
- Salt to taste
- 1 Lime's juice
Corn Salsa
- 15 oz Sweet Corn
- Handful Chopped Cilantro
- 1/2 Red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 Jalapeno, finely diced
- 1/2 Lime's juice
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup Neutral Oil For example: Avocado oil or vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp White Vinegar
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 Chipotles in Adobo
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Lime's Juice
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Other Components
- Shredded Lettuce
- Grated Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Top the chicken with all the ingredients in the marinade section. Make sure to combine well and evenly coat the chicken. Let this marinade for 1-4 hours or overnight.
- Thirty minutes before cooking the chicken, let it sit out at room temperature. This helps relax the muscles in the meat to make a juicer bite.
- While you wait on that, work on your other components. Cook the rice by sauteeing it in the oil for a few minutes to lightly toast. Then, add the stock, salt, and lime zest. Then, bring it to a boil then a light simmer for it to cook for about 20 minutes until ready. Once cooked, add the cilantro and lime juice.
- While the rice is cooking, saute the onions and peppers in the oil and seasonings. Saute this on medium-high heat making sure to stir every few minutes. If it starts to stick to the pan, then add a spoon of water to loosen the mixture. Cook until they are lightly caramelized and tender.
- Make the chipotle honey vinaigrette by combining all the ingredients in a small blender cup. Adjust to your liking. Let it sit in the fridge for the flavors to meld together as you work on the other components for the bowl.
- Make the guacamole by combining all the ingredients. Taste to adjust to preference. It may need more salt or lime juice.
- For the corn salsa, also just combine all the ingredients and adjust to preference.
- Lastly, cook the chicken. Add it to a nonstick pan on medium high heat. Do not over-crowd the pan. Let the chicken get a sear for a few minutes on each side and cook for about 8-10 minutes unil no longer pink in the center and tender. Chicken should be juicy and fully white inside.
- To assemble your chipotle chicken bowl, start by adding a layer of cilantro lime rice. Top that with the sauteed onions and peppers followed by the shredded lettuce. Follow by adding a scoop or two of chicken, the corn salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, and lastly the vinaigrette.
- Of course, you can assemble to your liking and add as little or as much as you want from each components. You can even incorporate black beans or sour cream for example. This is just how I enjoy my chipotle chicken bowl!
That looks amazing!
I made this today and while time consuming, my fam loved it!
Happy to hear all enjoyed it! I have tips in my blogpost to make it less time-consuming since I know there are several components!
My family really enjoyed this recipe. It’s so flavorful and delicious! I also marinated some chicken and put in the freezer for another day.
So happy to hear that, Sherry!
I tried this recipe , it is so delicious and full of flavor.
Thanks, Liliane!
I LOVED this recipe! The recipe is well written and tasted amazing! Loved how she cooked the lime zest with the rice, will definitely always make rice like this from now on! Also the chipotle honey vinaigrette is phenomenal, I literally poured all over my bowl! Thank you Heifa for an another amazing recipe!
Thank you, Amira! I also put the vinaigrette on everything haha
Absolutely delicious recipe. I think it will be a regular at our table. Thank you x
I loved every single bite! the dish is full of flavors and I can’t wait to make it again for my family soon!
I am so happy to hear that, Rawan!
This recipe inspired a chipotle party, and it was absolute perfection. It’s easy to assemble and each person can customize to their liking. I am thinking of making this soon.
I made this today & really loved the recipe ! The chipotle honey vinaigrette is perfection 👌 I’m seriously putting it on everything haha
Thanks so much, Safa!
I made this yesterday & really loved the recipe ! The chipotle honey vinaigrette is perfection 👌 I’m seriously going to be putting it on everything haha
Made this yesterday it came out amazing my husband loved it. He took leftovers to work for lunch and all’s his coworkers said it smelled so good. Thank you so much for the amazing recipe.
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing!
Just made this for dinner! Best fajita bowl I have ever tried! So delicious and easy to put together! Def will make this again
That means so much, thank you!