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Burrito bowl with cilantro lime rice, guacamole, corn salsa, and chipotle chicken with a bowl of corn salsa to the side.
Servings: 6 Burrito Bowls

Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowls

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If you're a fan of Chipotle Mexican Grill, you'll be amazed at how similar these bowls taste! Read the post above for additional protein options, rice options, and topping options.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Chipotle Chicken:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil plus more for cooking
  • cup red onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce + 1 Tbsp adobo sauce*
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp paprika **
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground oregano
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Cilantro Lime Rice:

  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 cup uncooked basmati white rice or long-grain white rice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth or water
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 lime zested (about ½ tsp lime zest)
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves loosely packed and chopped***

Guacamole:

  • 3 large ripe avocados peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt to taste

Corn Salsa:

  • 2 (15-oz) cans whole corn kernels drained
  • 3/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1 large jalapeno seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 3 Tbsp lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped, optional
  • ½ tsp sea salt to taste

Fajita Vegetables:

  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 large yellow onion sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into matchsticks
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into matchsticks
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Additional Toppings:

  • Salsa
  • Sour Cream
  • Grated Cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Add the ingredients for the marinade to a small blender or food processor and process until a thick paste forms (this will be your marinade). Transfer the raw chicken and the marinade to a large zip lock bag or a large mixing bowl. Seal (or cover with plastic wrap) and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3 to 10 hours.
  • When you’re ready to cook the chicken, you can do so on the stove top or on the grill. I like cooking the chicken in a skillet on the stove top because it is quick and easy.
  • Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken in a single layer for 6-8 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife to chop the chicken into thin strips or cubes.

Make the Rice:

  • Pour avocado oil in a saucepan and place it on the stove top over medium heat. Add the uncooked white rice and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fragrant, about 4 to 5 minutes. Resist the temptation to cook the rice until it is very brown or dark, but rather just until it turns opaque.
  • Add minced garlic to the saucepan with the rice and continue sautéing for another 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant.
  • Pour the chicken broth and sea salt into the pot with the rice. This will likely sizzle wildly - this is normal. Cover the pot, and bring the rice to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low heat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until all of the broth has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked.
  • Immediately remove the lid from the saucepan and fluff rice with a fork.
  • Stir the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro into the rice. Taste the rice and season with more salt, black pepper, lime juice, or cilantro to taste.

Make the Guacamole:

  • Mash all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Taste it for flavor and add more salt, lime juice, or minced garlic to taste.

Prepare the Corn Salsa:

  • Add all of the ingredients for the corn salsa to a large mixing bowl and stir well. Similarly, taste the salsa for flavor and make any adjustments to the salt or lime juice as needed.

Make The Fajita Veggies:

  • Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and add the sliced onion. Stir occasionally until the onion begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add in the chopped bell peppers and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables reach your desired level of doneness, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Assemble Your Burrito Bowls:

  • Add your desired amount of rice, chicken, and toppings to big bowls, and enjoy! Don’t forget the cheese and salsa!
  • ​Enjoy your homemade burrito bowl with tortilla chips if you love them.

Notes

*For mild chicken, omit the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and instead use ⅓ cup of red enchilada sauce. Store-bought canned enchilada sauce is mild unless the can specifies otherwise. 
**You can also use regular chili powder or ancho chili powder. I don’t recommend using chipotle chili powder unless you’re looking for very spicy chicken. For a mild version of the recipe, replace this ingredient with one teaspoon of sweet paprika.
***Add more cilantro to your personal taste. I keep it fairly light as written.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bowl (of 6), Calories: 825kcal, Carbohydrates: 68g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 44g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 27g, Cholesterol: 140mg, Sodium: 592mg, Fiber: 17g, Sugar: 10g
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: burrito bowls, chicken burrito bowl, copycat chipotle burrito bowls, copycat chipotle chicken, copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice, corn salsa recipe
Author: Julia Mueller