7 Copycat At-Home Chipotle Recipes with Normal Portions (2025)

Here they are. Get creative and combine options — using the barbacoa in the burrito bowl, for example, is *chef’s kiss*. And you can use the corn salsa and guac in just about everything!

This gives you a perfect platform for mixing and matching your own menu.

1. Cilantro lime steak burrito bowl

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This recipe raises the steaks on a classic Chipotle order to bowl you over (and no, we will never be sorry for food puns).

For the best results, let the meat marinate for a few hours before whipping up the bowls, which include all the primo toppings: black beans, cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

This burrito bowl recipe is awesome, but here’s another of our absolute favorites for you to try.

2. Chipotle corn salsa

An often-unsung hero of Mexican cuisine, corn has its day here. You can add this delicious corn salsa to burritos, bowls, tacos, salads… you get the picture.

This flavor pops no matter what you put it on. A roasted poblano pepper is the secret ingredient that becomes acquainted with sweet white corn, red onion, jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and sea salt.

This salsa will actually give you something to dance about. If you’re looking for a little more “pop” in your corn, we’ve got 22 recipes for movie night that fit the bill.

3. Slow cooker Chipotle barbacoa

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Put this flavorful beef in the slow cooker before work. Get all your admin done. Fight with the subway on the way home. Come home to the smoky-sweet smell of dinner practically ready to go. Forget everything bad that happened.

You can slow-cook beef with broth, apple cider vinegar (a Greatist favorite), chipotle chiles, lime juice, and a handful of spices.

Serve it with rice and veggies, on a sandwich, or with a handful of tortilla chips for deliciousness that takes almost no effort (the best kind).

You can whip up practically anything in a slow cooker — try these meals worth waiting for.

4. Copycat Chipotle guacamole

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Never pay extra for guac again. To be honest, guacamole is one of the simplest things to throw together at home, and you can use it in just about anything.

This copycat recipe gets it right the Chipotle way with six simple ingredients: avocados (duh), lime juice, salt, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeños.

In case you start to tire of plain ol’ guacamole, we compiled 26 guac recipes with a twist.

5. Spicy sofritas veggie bowls

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We’re aware that this list has been quite carnivorous so far (Chipotle just nails meat), but don’t worry, veggie friends — you can re-create this amazing dish at home.

Sofritas fans, you’re gonna want to eat this all the damn time. The spicy sauce is made with peppers, salsa, garlic, and a pinch of sugar, and you slather it over scrambled tofu, pinto beans, and onions.

Top it with lettuce, guac, and a squeeze of lime juice to really replicate the taste and texture of the Chipotle veggie classic.

The ultimate veggie bowl, however, is the Buddha bowl. Here are nine ways to get started with Buddha bowling.

6. Chipotle chicken burrito bowl

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Another burrito bowl — and what’s wrong with that? Absolutely clucking nothing, that’s what.

Lime juice, olive oil, and a homemade taco seasoning are all you need to transform plain ol’ chicken breasts into Chipotle-style chicken. Prep it with cilantro rice and pile on all your usual toppings.

If you prefer your burritos, well, wrapped up, we’ve got nine options that won’t mess with your health goals all that much.

7. Cilantro lime brown rice

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If you’re gonna make Chipotle at home, you need the right base. This 10-minute recipe transforms leftover brown rice with just three ingredients: avocado oil, lime juice, and fresh cilantro (plus salt and pepper).

That’s literally easier that opening up a delivery app and spending too much money on rice.

In the words of the immortal Mitch Hedberg, rice is great when you’re hungry and want to eat 2,000 of something. Here’s how to take your rice game to the next level.

There you have it: You don’t have to spend ridiculous amount for ridiculous portions. You can always make restaurant-quality food at home.

If you’re looking for more copycat recipes, try these healthier versions of fast-food favorites.

Even good coffee needn’t be the sole property of Starbucks and friends — you can also re-create your favorite buzzy beverages.

7 Copycat At-Home Chipotle Recipes with Normal Portions (2025)

FAQs

Does Chipotle use breast or thigh? ›

Does Chipotle use chicken breast or thighs? The original Chipotle chicken recipe uses thigh meat, not breasts as we do in this recipe. Keep in mind, however, that the restaurant makes it in large quantities and well in advance, not just before serving as we're doing here.

What kind of rice does Chipotle use? ›

Around here, all you need to know is that we use long-grain white rice. We have always been committed to preparing real food made with real ingredients. You know, the kind you can recognize and pronounce.

What can you put in a bowl at Chipotle? ›

Light Rice, Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guac, and Extra Romaine Lettuce. A balanced bowl for a balanced life. White Rice, Double Chicken, Black Beans, Red Salsa, Cheese, and Romaine Lettuce. Hitting your protein goals for the day has never been tastier.

How healthy is Chipotle? ›

Chipotle nutrition: Pros

Chipotle can be pretty healthy because they have veggies and lean protein,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, founder of The NY Nutrition Group, like chicken and steak, black and pinto beans, fajita vegetables, and fresh tomato salsa.

What is Chipotle fake meat called? ›

Chipotle is a trailblazer when it comes to plant-based proteins and added its first vegan option, Sofritas, to its menu in 2014. Made from organic tofu that is spiced with poblano pepper, cumin, and chipotle chiles, by 2018, Sofritas became a popular mainstay at Chipotle, selling 7.5 million pounds that year alone.

Why is Chipotle chicken so good? ›

Chipotle chicken is smoky, spicy and a bit tangy from the lime juice. The chipotle pepper is complemented by the warm, earthy, slightly bitter citrus notes of cumin, smoky sweetness from the smoked paprika and aromatic garlic and onion powders. The zesty lime juice cuts through the robust richness.

How to make Chipotle from scratch? ›

Instructions
  1. Lay the peppers in your smoker in one layer, ideally not touching. ...
  2. Smoke the peppers at least 6 hours, but I prefer all day, like 16 hours. ...
  3. If you want, you can pull the jalapenos at any time after 6 hours and finish them in a dehydrator set on low heat. ...
  4. Store them in a bag at room temperature.
Sep 4, 2023

What cheese does Chipotle use? ›

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is used to make quesadillas and queso dip, and it's happily added to any menu item when asked.

Does Chipotle put salt in their rice? ›

Apparently Chipotle simply cooks the rice grains in water with a bay leaf and then they add the salt, oil, cilantro, lime juice, and lemon juice all after the rice is done cooking. Some sources say they use rice bran oil but it can be both hard to find and more expensive.

What beans does Chipotle use? ›

Chipotle's rice contains long-grain rice, bay leaves, and cilantro. The beans are made from pinto beans, water, onion, canola oil, salt, and spices, including cumin and garlic. The rice and beans do not contain dairy ingredients, so they are considered to be dairy-free.

What gives you the most food at Chipotle? ›

If you're looking to get the most food for your money at Chipotle, ordering a bowl instead of a burrito is a great place to start. This is because you often get significantly more food compared to regular burritos.

What is the healthiest Chipotle item? ›

The healthiest things to order at Chipotle
  • Lifestyle Bowls. In general, these bowls are loaded with vegetables and they're suitable for lots of eaters, even those who aren't following the specific diets they were created for. ...
  • Salads. ...
  • Burrito Bowl. ...
  • Tacos. ...
  • Burritos. ...
  • Quesadillas. ...
  • The bottom line.

Can I eat Chipotle every day? ›

The answer is yes! Chipotle can be quite healthy if you follow the simple guidelines above. Stick with the brown rice over the white rice, try to stay away from the chips or fried tortillas, and load up on fresh veggies and toppings.

What is the healthiest fast food restaurant? ›

15 Healthiest Fast Food Chains
  • Panera Bread. Panera Bread is one of the healthiest fast food chains and a great choice if you're looking for a healthy meal on the go. ...
  • Taco Bell. ...
  • Chick-Fil-A. ...
  • Chipotle. ...
  • Panda Express. ...
  • Sweetgreen. ...
  • Subway. ...
  • CAVA.
May 3, 2024

What part of the beef does Chipotle use? ›

Instead of using a particular cut for its steak as it does with its carne asada, Chipotle sources its steak from many different cuts of beef. These include the inside round, the outside round, the bottom and top rounds, and the eye of round, as well as sirloin, sirloin top, ball tip, and knuckle.

Why does Chipotle use chicken thighs? ›

Chicken thighs are fattier so they have a richer flavor. Avocado oil – This oil has a higher smoking point than olive oil which makes it perfect for grilling. Chipotle in adobo sauce – This is the base of that bold flavor. It gives the chipotle chicken that spicy kick everyone loves.

What's better, chicken thigh or breast? ›

The options. Chicken breasts do have a higher content of some B vitamins and minerals whereas chicken thighs have higher amounts of vitamin B12, she adds. Chicken thighs are typically less expensive by the pound. However, chicken breasts can be a challenge to cook because they can easily dry out and be overdone.

Where does Chipotle get their chicken from? ›

The chicken is born in the hatchery at a Chipotle supplier. Chipotle's chicken suppliers are located in Minnesota, Georgia, Virginia, Arkansas, and North Carolina. The chicken is raised in a grow-out house, where it's provided with food and water to grow into a full-sized chicken.

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