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If you’re looking for an easy, healthy meal prep lunch or dinner, this copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl recipe is it! You can customize it to suit your tastes and dietary needs, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than eating out, and it packs 48 grams of protein per serving.

top view of healthy homemade chicken burrito bowl with quinoa

A few years ago, I went through my Chipotle bowl era. I’d get a burrito bowl with all my favorite fixings a couple times a week! As much as I loved it, I had to cut myself off.

Not long ago I passed a Chipotle and decided to recreate my favorite at home – and make it even healthier! If you’re going through a Chipotle phase, give this homemade version a try.

What is a Burrito Bowl?

A burrito bowl is a deconstructed version of a burrito served in a bowl instead of wrapped in a tortilla. It includes all the classic burrito ingredients. For example, rice (or quinoa), beans, protein (e.g., chicken, beef, tofu), fajita vegetables, and toppings like pico, guacamole, cheese, queso, sour cream, etc.

One of the reasons burrito bowls are popular is because they’re customizable. You can eat what you like and follow your own dietary preferences. They’re also a great option if you’re trying to cut carbs or avoid gluten because you can completely skip the tortilla without feeling like you’re missing out.

What Makes This Recipe a Keeper

  1. Healthier Than Takeout: When you make it at home, you control the ingredients. Say goodbye to additives, preservatives, and cheap oils (and restaurant prices!), and hello to fresh, wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients.
  2. Budget-Friendly: A single Chipotle bowl can cost upwards of $10 to $15, but this homemade version makes multiple portions for a fraction of the cost.
  3. Meal Prep Champion: This recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Prep the chicken, quinoa (or rice if you prefer), and toppings in advance. You’ll have delicious lunches or dinners ready for the week!
  4. Customizable: Love extra guac? Go for it. Prefer brown rice over quinoa? Done. You can tailor each bowl to fit your cravings and dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Ingredients Explained

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

Chipotle Chicken Ingredients

chipotle chicken ingredients
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Chicken thighs are tender and juicy! You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • Adobo paste from chipotles in adobo – Adds smoky heat and depth of flavor. This ingredient is essential for recreating the signature taste.
  • Fresh lime juice – Balances the smoky and spicy flavors with a tangy brightness.
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Helps the marinade stick to the chicken and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Garlic – Brings a robust, savory element to the marinade.
  • Salt – Enhances all the flavors and ensures the chicken is perfectly seasoned.
  • Cumin – Adds earthy warmth and complements the smokiness of the chipotles in adobo sauce.
  • Chili powder – Contributes mild heat and a rich red color.
  • Mexican oregano – Infuses a slightly citrusy, herbal flavor distinct from Mediterranean oregano.
  • Black pepper – Provides subtle heat and rounds out the seasoning blend.

Cilantro Lime Quinoa Ingredients

cilantro lime quinoa ingredients
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – We toast the quinoa in olive oil to bring out its subtly nutty flavor notes.
  • Quinoa – I used tri-color quinoa, but you can use any kind of quinoa you like. Or feel free to use rice instead of quinoa if you prefer.
  • Chicken stock – Use good quality homemade or store-bought chicken stock for the richest flavor. You can also use vegetable stock or even water in a pinch.
  • Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder – These simple seasonings add a ton of savory flavor.
  • Fresh lime zest and fresh minced cilantro – As a riff of cilantro lime rice, we add lime and cilantro to our quinoa recipe for a similar flavor profile.

Fajita Vegetables Ingredients

fajita veggies ingredients
  • Olive oil – Or you can use any oil you like with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil.
  • Red bell pepper and green bell pepper – This colorful mix pairs less sweet green bell peppers with sweeter red bell peppers. Feel free to use any color bell peppers you like.
  • Yellow onion – For savory flavor and aroma.
  • Garlic – Adds a ton of flavor!
  • Salt and black pepper – These pantry-staple seasonings perfectly enhance the flavor of the bell peppers and onions.

Honey Chipotle Dressing

copycat chipotle salad dressing recipe ingredients
  • Extra-virgin olive oil – Avocado oil is a good substitute here if you don’t have olive oil.
  • MCT oil – Or you can use more olive oil (or avocado oil). If you aren’t familiar with MCT oil (aka medium-triglyceride oil), it’s a flavorless oil made from coconut or palm kernel oil. It has a whole host of potential health benefits, such as weight loss and a quick boost of energy. (You can read more about MCT oil on Cleveland ClinicWebMD, and Healthline.
  • Red wine vinegar – Red wine vinegar results in flavor that’s closest to the original, but you can also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar here.
  • Honey – Adds sweet flavor to balance the spicy heat and complement the smoky notes.
  • Chipotle pepper in adobo – This lends a smoky, spicy flavor to the dressing. I add whatever adobo sauce is on the pepper (usually about 1/2 tablespoon), but you can add more or less to taste.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a ton of savory flavor.
  • Salt and black pepper – To season the vinaigrette.
  • Mexican oregano – Compared with other varieties of oregano, Mexican oregano is more floral and citrusy with subtle notes of licorice. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with regular oregano (also called Italian oregano or Mediterranean oregano).

Fresh Salsa Ingredients

  • Cherry tomatoes – Rinsed and halved. Or use regular-sized tomatoes and chop them into small bite-sized pieces.
  • Red onion – Or white onion.
  • Fresh cilantro and lime juice – For fresh, bright flavor and to tie this into the other contents of the burrito bowls.
  • Salt – To enhance the flavor of everything else.

Cottage Cheese Queso Ingredients

cottage cheese queso recipe ingredients
  • Cottage cheese – I like to use 4% milk fat cottage cheese (whole milk cottage cheese) for rich flavor and creamy texture. However, this recipe will also work fine with low-fat cottage cheese if you prefer.
  • Cheddar cheese – My go-to here is a sharp yellow cheddar for both the flavor and color.
  • Adobo paste from chipotles in adobo – This adds smoky heat and rich color.
  • Cumin, salt, black pepper, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder– These seasonings add robust flavor to the cheese dip. Feel free to adjust them to taste. Pro Tip: If you want to simplify the seasoning, you can use 3/4 teaspoon of your favorite taco seasoning instead of the adobo paste and all the spices in this recipe.
  • Hot water – This thins out the mixture to the perfect dip-able consistency. You can add more or less water depending on how thick you want it.

Other Ingredients

  • Canned black beans – Rinse and drain them well. If you want, you can take them to the next level with homemade black beans.
  • Romaine lettuce – Any type of lettuce you like will work here.
  • Chopped fresh cilantro leaves – This is optional, but I like adding more fresh cilantro on top to really brighten up the flavor.

How to Make This Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

1: How to Make the Chipotle Chicken

The marinade is where the magic happens! I guide you through the process with step-by-step photos in the copycat Chipotle chicken recipe.

2: How to Make Cilantro Lime Quinoa

how to make cilantro lime quinoa

Meal Prep Pro Tip: Part of the success of meal prepping comes from being able to multi-task! Start the quinoa while the chicken is marinating.

  1. Add the oil to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the quinoa and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Stir in the chicken stock, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Bring to a boil, stir it once, then cover the saucepan, turn the heat down to low, and cook it (without opening) until the water is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove it from the heat, let it sit (covered) for 10 minutes, and then fluff it with a fork.
  4. Add the lime zest and cilantro, and fluff it again.

3: How to Make Fajita Vegetables

Meal Prep Pro Tip: Start working on the fajita veggies while the quinoa is cooking.

This is one of the quickest and easiest meal prep side dishes you can make! The key is to let the veggies char (right in a skillet on the stovetop!), and I show you exactly how to do it in the fajita vegetables recipe.

4: How to Make Honey Chipotle Dressing

That dressing. Swoon. No matter what my Chipotle order is, I always get a side of their dressing. It’s just so good! You can make it at home with wholesome ingredients and customize it to suit your tastes. Find out how in the copycat honey vinaigrette recipe.

5: How to Make Fresh Salsa

how to make fresh salsa

Add all ingredients to a bowl; toss gently to combine.

6: How to Make Cottage Cheese Queso

If you enjoy dairy, you can opt for shredded cheese or sour cream on top of your meal prep burrito bowl. But why not take the opportunity to get in a little extra protein with cottage cheese queso that takes just 5 minutes to make?! Step-by-step details are in the cottage cheese queso recipe.

7: Assemble or Store

Once everything is made, build your bowl and enjoy it! Or store everything for easy, nutritious meals during the week.

Pro Tips For the Best Homemade Copycat Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

  • Marinate the Chicken: The key to Chipotle’s signature flavor is the marinade! For best flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
  • Char For Flavor: Cook the chicken on a grill or in a cast-iron skillet for the smoky, slightly charred flavor.
  • If You’re a Fan of Quinoa, Use it Instead of Rice to Make Burrito Bowls: Quinoa bumps up the nutrition and still satisfies like a grain. For true copycat magic, season your quinoa with cilantro and lime. It’s simple, but makes all the difference! And if quinoa isn’t your thing but you don’t want to add rice, you could go with cauliflower rice.
  • Double the Recipe: On busy nights, you’ll be happy you did! This recipe freezes well, so it’s a good idea to make extra to have on hand for quick meals.
healthy chicken burrito bowl meal prep

Variations

  • Meat (and other proteins) – You aren’t limited to chicken here! Taco-seasoned ground beef, beef carnitas, fish, beans, refried beans, or tofu are all good protein options.
  • Beans – Beans are optional, but a good way to bump up the protein and fiber. Canned beans are a quick option (look for no-sodium-added beans, and then rinse and drain them). But if you have a little extra time you can level up and make black beans from scratch. Or go with refried beans!
  • Grains (or grain substitutes) – I like quinoa (which is technically a seed, and classified as a pseudograin) for the nutrition it brings (and because it’s easy to make and I always have it in my pantry). However, you can swap it out for anything you like! You can go with rice, bulgur, barley, etc. or cauliflower rice to reduce the carbs.
  • Toppings – The sky is the limit! Fresh vegetables are great, such as lettuce, onion, tomato, etc. I like to either use lettuce as a base or topping, and add pico (fresh salsa) and high protein queso. Shredded or crumbled cheese, sour cream, or guacamole are also delicious.

Storage & Reheating

Here’s how to store each component:

  • Chipotle Chicken: Store the cooked, cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Cilantro Lime Quinoa: Let it cool to room temperature, cover it, and then pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Fajita Vegetables: After cooling to room temperature, store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Honey Chipotle Dressing: Store the dressing in a covered glass jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
  • Fresh Salsa: Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. (It should be fine for up to 5 days in the fridge, but the texture will soften a lot and it’ll likely get watery after a couple days.)
  • Cottage Cheese Queso: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend warming it up after it’s been refrigerated; it will thicken, so you’ll likely have to add a splash of water or milk to thin it out when you reheat it.

Meal Prep Tip: Serve it Hot or Cold

Make mealtime easy and store the components differently if you want to eat it hot or cold.

If you want to warm it up before serving, store the prepared foods in separate airtight containers so you can reheat the components that you enjoy warmed without having to reheat everything. Alternatively, store the ingredients that get heated together in the same container and then add the non-heated components (such as lettuce) on top.

On the other hand, if you want to eat it cold like a salad, layer it in a jar! To do so, add the prepared components to a 32-ounce wide-mouth glass Mason jar in the following order: dressing, fresh salsa, black beans, fajita vegetables, cilantro lime quinoa (or rice), chipotle chicken, and chopped lettuce and cilantro leaves on top. When it’s time to eat it, shake the jar, dump out the contents into a large bowl, and enjoy.

burrito bowl salad jars meal prep

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl Recipe FAQs

Are burrito bowls healthy?

Yes, burrito bowls can be a healthy meal option! Just be mindful of what you’re adding and your portion size, and make sure to include nutrient-dense foods. I like to take the opportunity to make this meal as nutritious as possible, so for example, I opt for quinoa instead of rice. Additionally, I skip shredded cheese or sour cream on top because I like to eat these with high protein cottage cheese queso.

One of the best things about burrito bowls is that you can customize them to fit into your way of eating. As written, this recipe is naturally gluten free. You can reduce the carbs to make it fit into a low carb or keto lifestyle by using cauliflower rice instead of quinoa and omitting the beans.

What’s the difference between a burrito bowl and a taco bowl?

These two dishes share some ingredients, but are quite different.

Burrito bowls are typically larger and more filling. They include heartier ingredients like rice, beans, protein (chicken, beef, tofu, etc.), and toppings such as salsa, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. They are essentially a deconstructed burrito without the tortilla.

Taco bowls are usually smaller and lighter, focusing on taco fillings like seasoned meat, lettuce or other fresh vegetable toppings, salsa, cheese, and sometimes beans or rice. They may or may not include crispy tortilla shells (often shaped like a bowl).

Are burrito bowls eaten cold?

Depending on your personal preference, burrito bowls can be eaten hot or cold. Personally, I like to store these bowls with cilantro lime quinoa, chipotle chicken, fajita vegetables, black beans, and queso in a meal prep container. When I want to eat it, I microwave that, and then top it with lettuce, fresh salsa, and cilantro, and serve it along with the dressing to drizzle on.

More Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep Recipe Ideas

close up top view of homemade healthy chicken burrito bowl

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Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe

Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Other Time30 minutes
Yields: 5 servings
This healthy chicken bowl recipe is freezer-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and packs 48 grams of protein per serving!

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Ingredients
 

Chipotle Chicken:

Cilantro Lime Quinoa:

Fajita Vegetables:

  • 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper de-seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper de-seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Honey Chipotle Dressing:

Fresh Salsa:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes rinsed and halved
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 pinch salt

Cottage Cheese Queso:

Other:

  • 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 head Romaine lettuce rinsed, patted dry, and chopped (or green leaf lettuce)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions
 

For the Chipotle Chicken:

  • Marinade. Add all ingredients to a gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible, seal the bag, and use your hands to squish everything around so the chicken is coated. Let it marinade at room temperature for 20 minutes (or in the fridge for up to 24 hours).
  • Cook any way you like. Grill over medium-high heat for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Bake in a 400F oven for 18 to 20 minutes (no need to flip). Air fry at 400F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Sear in a lightly oiled skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping once halfway through. (Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.) Let the meat rest for a few minutes once it's done cooking, and then slice it.

For the Cilantro Lime Quinoa (Start This While the Chicken is Marinating):

  • Add the oil to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, stir in the quinoa and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the chicken stock, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, stir it once, then cover the saucepan, turn the heat down to low, and cook it (without opening) until the water is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove it from the heat, let it sit (covered) for 10 minutes, and then fluff it with a fork. Add the lime zest and cilantro, and fluff it again.

For the Fajita Vegetables (Start This While the Quinoa is Cooking):

  • Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oil, and then the bell peppers, onion, salt, and black pepper, spreading the veggies out evenly in the skillet. Cook until they're starting to soften and char in spots, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, and cook 30 seconds more, stirring constantly.

For the Honey Chipotle Dressing:

  • Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, and process until smooth. If you're using a regular blender or food processor, crush the garlic before blending.

For the Fresh Salsa:

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl; toss gently to combine.

For the Cottage Cheese Queso:

  • Blend. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and process until smooth and creamy. Pro Tip: Start with 1 tablespoon of hot water and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  • Heat. This step is optional; if you want to serve the queso warm or if you're using a regular blender or food processor (instead of a high-speed blender), I recommend heating it. To warm it, heat the queso in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (heating it in 20-second intervals and stirring between each interval). Or for the creamiest texture, heat it in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently.

Assemble or Store:

  • Once everything is made, build your bowl and enjoy it! Or store everything for easy, nutritious meals during the week.

Notes

Recipe Yield: This recipe makes 5 large, very filling servings. (I eat 2 meals a day and this works perfectly for my second meal.) If you prefer, you can divide it into 8-9 portions, each with approximately 400-500 calories and 25-30 grams protein.
Nutritional Information: The nutritional information for this recipe was calculated by dividing everything by 5, but note that you will probably have extra salad dressing if you divide this into 5 servings.
Storage:
  • If you want to warm it up before serving, store the prepared foods in separate airtight containers so you can reheat the components that you enjoy warmed without having to reheat everything. Alternatively, store the ingredients that get heated together in the same container and then add the non-heated components (such as lettuce) on top.
  • If you want to eat it cold like a salad, layer it in a jar! To do so, add the prepared components to a 32-ounce wide-mouth glass Mason jar in the following order: dressing, fresh salsa, black beans, fajita vegetables, cilantro lime quinoa (or rice), chipotle chicken, and chopped lettuce and cilantro leaves on top. When it’s time to eat it, shake the jar, dump out the contents into a large bowl, and enjoy.
Separate Storage For Each Component:
  • Chipotle Chicken: Store the cooked, cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Cilantro Lime Quinoa: Let it cool to room temperature, cover it, and then pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Fajita Vegetables: After cooling to room temperature, store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Honey Chipotle Dressing: Store the dressing in a covered glass jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
  • Fresh Salsa: Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. (It should be fine for up to 5 days in the fridge, but the texture will soften a lot and it’ll likely get watery after a couple days.)
  • Cottage Cheese Queso: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend warming it up after it’s been refrigerated; it will thicken, so you’ll likely have to add a splash of water or milk to thin it out when you reheat it.

Nutrition

Calories: 797kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 2040mg | Potassium: 1234mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2000IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.

Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Burrito Bowl Meal Prep, Burrito Bowl Recipe, Burrito Bowls, Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe, Chipotle Bowl Recipe, Chipotle Burrito Bowl, Chipotle Chicken Bowl, Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl, Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowl, Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl, Healthy Burrito Bowl, Homemade Chicken Bowl Recipe, Homemade Chipotle Bowl

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homemade chicken bowl recipe
Faith, author of An Edible Mosaic.
About Faith

I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.

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