15 Copycat Chipotle Recipes Worth Making, Not Buying

By

Danielle DeAngelis

Published on June 23, 2024

a recipe photo of the Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa — Photo: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

Tired of ordering takeout? These copycat Chipotle recipes will have you wondering why you didn’t recreate your favorite burrito bowl at home sooner. They’re healthy options for lunch or dinner and will save you money in the long term. Try our Instant-Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl and top it off with our Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa for the ultimate bite.

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Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle--but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.

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Copycat Chipotle Chicken

Copycat chipotle chicken recipe in a black bowl, with flour tortillas next to it — Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Re-create the flavors of Chipotle's grilled chicken in your own kitchen with this tasty recipe. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce add a delicious layer of smokiness and spiciness to the marinade, which is accented by the cumin and lime. The longer you marinate the chicken, the spicier it will be. Use this copycat Chipotle chicken in salads, burrito bowls or as a filling for tacos.

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Chicken Burrito Bowls

By leaving out the carb-heavy tortilla wrap, this chicken burrito bowl is made diabetes-friendly.

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Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

a recipe photo of the Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

Bring the flavors of your favorite salsa from restaurant to home with this copycat Chipotle corn salsa recipe. This smoky salsa can top tacos or burrito bowls or be served with chips for dipping. Don't forget to pair it with our Copycat Chipotle Chicken or our Copycat Chipotle Sofritas for a vegetarian spin.

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Copycat Chipotle Sofritas

Copycat Chipotle Sofritas — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

This copycat Chipotle Sofritas recipe captures the essence of the original version with a sweet and smoky coating on crumbled tofu. Use this easy recipe as a burrito or taco filling or as a spicy salad addition.

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Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl

This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner.

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Chicken & Veggie Quesadilla

Chicken & Veggie Quesadilla

This easy quesadilla recipe uses canned cooked chicken to save time. You can also use leftover cooked chicken or turkey if you have it. Dice the vegetables up to 1 day ahead for even speedier prep.

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Steak Burritos

Steak Burritos — Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Here's a steak burrito recipe inspired by San Francisco's super burritos that come packed with meat, beans, rice, cheese, guacamole and salsa. We've kept this home-style version a bit simpler to make and a whole lot healthier with brown rice, whole-wheat tortillas and a more reasonable serving size. We recommend wrapping it in foil—the traditional way to serve it—so you can pick the burrito up and eat it without it falling apart, peeling back the foil as you go. Serve with a cold beer and vinegar-dressed slaw.

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Instant-Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl

instant pot chicken burrito bowl — Greg Dupree

This Instant-Pot chicken burrito bowl has all the fixings of a hearty burrito without the wrap. Chicken cooked in the Instant Pot is tender, and here it takes on the flavors of fire-roasted diced tomatoes and spices.

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No-Cook Black Bean Salad

No-Cook Black Bean Salad

The dressing for this vegan black bean salad gets its creaminess from blended avocado. Any mix of salad greens will work well, but try arugula if you want to give this hearty salad a peppery kick.

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Adobo Flank Steak Tacos

Lime juice and adobo sauce lend a tangy and smoky flavor to these grilled steak tacos.

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Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa — Nico Schinco

File tomatillo salsa under tailgate food, because our choose-your-heat-level recipe is going to go faster than a wide receiver. Roasting the tomatillos mellows their acidity and adds a subtle sweetness.

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Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions

These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.

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Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl with Cauliflower Rice

This easy-to-make and meal-prep burrito bowl is even better than takeout! You'll never miss the carbs in this protein-packed, super-flavorful meal that replaces the cilantro-lime rice with cauliflower rice. We love this with chicken but it would be just as delicious with shrimp.

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Chipotle Skirt Steak Tacos with Smoky Tomatillo Salsa

Here's a pro tip from chef Rick Bayless, who shared this skirt steak taco recipe: puree a can of chipotles in adobo sauce and keep it in your fridge. Adobo is a vinegary tomato sauce, so along with the chipotles (smoked jalapeños), it becomes an all-purpose marinade that's spicy, smoky and salty, all in one. In this recipe you brush it on the steak before grilling but Bayless also does the same move on eggplant, chicken and fish. And having the sauce on hand means you're ready to whip up this easy grilled dinner at a moment's notice.

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