Chipotle Copycat Bowl

The burrito bowl you were about to order, built at home. Make one batch and lunch is handled for days.

Serves
3-ish bowls
Time
About 25 min
Effort
Some assembly required
Good for
Dinner, meal prep
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A homemade burrito bowl with chicken, peppers, onions, corn, cheese and sour cream

There's no Chipotle near me, and some nights that feels like a personal attack. So I started building my own bowls at home, and now it's one of my absolute favorite go-to meals. Rice, fajita-style peppers and onions, corn, chicken, and every creamy topping in the fridge.

Build it pretty for the photo if you want. Then do what we all do and stir it into one glorious mess.

The burrito bowl stirred together with rice, chicken, corn, peppers and tomato
The correct way to eat it.

One batch makes about three bowls, so this doubles as meal prep. Future you will be thrilled.

Why this works

  • Sautéed peppers and onions bring that fajita flavor without a grill.
  • Queso plus sour cream make it creamy, so you don't need a sauce.
  • Packet rice keeps the whole thing under half an hour.

What I'd swap

  • Cilantro-lime rice is my favorite, but plain white or brown works.
  • Skip the chicken for a veggie bowl, or use any leftover protein.
  • Store-bought guac is a completely acceptable life choice.
  • Any shredded cheese: Mexican blend, cheddar, mozzarella.

Chipotle Copycat Bowl

Makes 3-ish bowls · About 25 minutes

What you'll need

  • Cilantro-lime rice (or plain rice)One packet, cooked1 packet, cooked per the package
  • Shredded chicken (optional)As much as you wantAbout ½ cup per bowl
  • Green bell pepper and white onionOne of each, sliced1 pepper and 1 onion
  • Corn (canned or frozen)A big spoonful per bowlAbout ¼ cup per bowl
  • Salsa, pico or diced tomatoA spoonful or twoAbout 2 tablespoons per bowl
  • White quesoA good dollopAbout 2 tablespoons per bowl
  • Shredded cheeseA handful on topAbout ¼ cup per bowl
  • Sour creamOne confident zigzagAbout 2 tablespoons per bowl
  • Guac and shredded romaine (optional)If you're feeling fancy1 avocado, 3 cherry tomatoes, ½ lime, 1 tsp garlic powder

How to make it

  1. Cook the rice according to the package.

  2. Slice the pepper and onion and sauté in a little olive oil until soft with some browned edges.

  3. Warm the corn and chicken in the microwave.

  4. Optional guac: mash the avocado with diced cherry tomatoes, garlic powder and lime juice.

  5. Build the bowl: rice, chicken, peppers and onions, corn, salsa, queso, cheese, sour cream, then guac and lettuce if using.

  6. Admire it for one second, then stir it all together.

Meal prepping? Store the rice, chicken and veggies together and add the cold toppings after reheating.

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