Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl
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This Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl recipe is just as good (or better) than the real thing. It’s packed full of bold Southwest flavors and super easy to make at home.
Making it at home means you can skip the drive-thru and save a little money. But the best part is that you can build the bowl just the way you like it. We’ve included seasoned chicken, fluffy rice and a lot of topping options so you can pick your favorites.
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
I love going out to restaurants, but honestly, I like it even better when I can recreate my favorite dishes at home. I know that sometimes the copycat recipes miss the mark, but this Chipotle copycat hits the nail on the head. And it’s budget-friendly compared to eating out.
One reason people love Chipotle is that it’s considered healthy “fast food”. You have to admit, healthy options at most fast food places are limited, or not healthy at all. So Chipotle really has the upper hand in this department.
You can customize this burrito bowl any way you would like. We’ve included a variety of ingredients and toppings but don’t feel limited. Pile on whatever you prefer! And don’t forget to top it with the BEST Southwest dressing to make it complete.
Chipotle Chicken Bowl Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- Chicken – we’re using chicken breasts and will we marinate them in a mixture of oil, lime juice, chili and garlic powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. If you don’t want a spicy kick, feel free to leave off the cayenne.
- Rice – you can use brown or white rice. Or try my Instant Pot cilantro lime rice for more flavor.
- Lettuce – choose your favorite. Most prefer crunchy iceberg but if you want a more nutritious option go with a blend of romaine, a spring mix or even fresh spinach.
Assorted Veggie Add-ins
- Black beans
- Corn
- Red onion
- Pico de Gallo – use store-bought or make your own
Optional Ingredients
These toppings are optional but they add a lot of flavor and really make this chicken bowl a loaded meal. The more the merrier, right?!
- Chopped tomatoes
- Bell peppers – chopped or strips
- Salsa
- Cheddar cheese – use shredded or cubes
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges – adds fresh zestiness to the dish
This is my favorite Southwest dressing and it’s delicious on this bowl.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
Preparing the Seasoned Chicken for the Chipotle Bowl
If you’ve ever had chicken that didn’t have much flavor, it probably wasn’t marinated. Don’t skip this step because it makes a world of difference in infusing your chicken with flavor.
For starters, you are going to combine the marinade ingredients in your favorite mixing bowl and whisk them together.
Place in the fridge for about 20 minutes. You can always marinate for longer if you have time, but I wouldn’t recommend going past an hour or two. The texture tends to change if marinated longer than that.
After marinating, you’ll add some oil to a skillet and heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (I use this meat thermometer to check cooking temps).
For a flavor boost, add the bell peppers to the skillet and cook with the chicken versus adding them to the bowl raw.
Tips for Making the Chicken Chipotle Bowl Recipe
- Use the recipe as a guide. You can easily customize with your favorite toppings in the quantities you prefer.
- Substitute cauliflower rice for a low carb option.
- Use microwavable ready rice to save time.
- Top with my fiesta salad for a fun option.
- You can also grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a skillet.
Can I meal prep homemade chicken bowls?
Absolutely! To meal prep the protein, cook a double or triple batch of the chicken to stash in the freezer for future meals.
For weekend meal prepping, cook the chicken and prep the toppings over the weekend for easy, healthy meals all week. I recommend storing the ingredients separately, and without dressing, store ingredients separately to maintain the best quality.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Chipotle Bowl
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator. It will stay fresher longer if you can store the ingredients separately and without dressing.
More of my Favorite Chicken Recipes:
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice
- Chicken Cobb Salad {with Homemade Vinaigrette}
- Italian Grilled Chicken
- Italian Chicken Potato Green Bean Bake
- Easy Chicken Spaghetti {Weeknight Version}
- How To Make Easy Meal Prep Chicken
Copycat Chipotle Chicken Bowl
Ingredients
CHICKEN & MARINADE
- 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 3 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
BOWL
- 1 cup white or brown rice, cooked
- 2 cups lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn
- ½ cup red onion
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
- 1 avocado, sliced
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Bell peppers, (** see notes)
- Tomatoes
- Salsa
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
CHICKEN
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice and seasonings.
- Add chicken and turn to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes in refrigerator.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil to a heavy skillet and heat to medium. Add chicken and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning several times. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove chicken to cutting board and allow to rest.
- Slice or dice chicken after it has cooled.
BOWL
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the rice according to package directions.
- Clean and cut vegetables; drain and rinse black beans.
- Assemble burrito bowls with toppings of your choice.
Notes
- Cook the peppers with the chicken for an extra flavor boost.
- Top with my go-to creamy Southwest Dressing.
- If you’re short on time use microwavable ready rice.
- For a low carb option, substitute with cauliflower rice.
- Customize the bowls with your favorite toppings in your preferred quantities.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, in airtight containers. If possible, store the ingredients for maximum freshness.
- This is an easy recipe for meal prepping. Prepare the chicken and prep the toppings over the weekend. Store the ingredients separately in the refrigerator, to maintain the best quality.
- Optional ingredients are not included in nutritional calculations.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
