This Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowl is loaded with juicy grilled chicken and all of your favorite burrito bowl toppings. It’s such a perfect summer meal.
Instead of the salsa shown, you can easily whip up some of our Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe or even add some authentic guacamole for a fresh flavor!
Table Of Contents
The secret to homemade chipotle chicken
If you’re a Chipotle fan, then this recipe is for you! This Chipotle Chicken Bowl is outrageously good. I could eat the grilled chicken all by itself. It’s that delicious! The SECRET to getting amazing chipotle chicken is marinating with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. That adobo sauce plays a huge role in giving the chicken that smoky heat. I like to enjoy my burrito bowl with loads of toppings and no tortilla (to save on calories).
Here’s what you’ll need
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs– You can use chicken breast to make it healthier and less fat.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce- Can be found in the ethnic foods aisle. Usually in a can.
- Cumin – The spice that you don’t want to skip in this recipe.
- Garlic cloves– Adds amazing aromatic flavors to the juicy chicken.
- Salt
- Olive oil– To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill.
Popular toppings
- Rice– Cooked brown rice or cilantro-lime rice, or plain white rice
- Beans– Black beans and pinto beans are the most popular
- Vegetables– Fresh avocado, lettuce, fajita vegetables, onion, or guacamole
- Sauces– Salsa, pico de gallo, corn salsa, Mexican roasted salsa, sour cream, or salsa verde
- Garnish– Usually, cilantro is the best garnish for Mexican dishes
How to make chipotle chicken bowls
This is a quick breakdown. For the full recipe and instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card below.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken thighs, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cumin, pressed garlic, salt, and olive oil. Then use tongs to mix everything together. Cover and marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
- Now fire up your grill to medium-high heat and cook the chipotle marinated chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Once the chicken is done, let it rest on a plate covered in foil. Then chop it into pieces and serve with all your favorite burrito toppings.
Make-ahead instructions
If you know you will be tight on time the day you plan on making these burrito bowls, just marinate the chicken the night before. All you have to do is grill the chicken and cook the brown rice.
Storing and reheating
- Storing– If you have leftovers, make sure to store the chicken separately from the lettuce the fresh vegetables. Just place the chopped chipotle chicken into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. It should last up to 4 days.
- Reheating– To reheat, you can place the chicken on a skillet with a few teaspoons of olive oil and mix with a spoon until it’s warmed through. Or you can microwave it, just make sure to microwave the chicken and rice only.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
If you are looking for more Mexican-themed dishes, make sure to check out the links below.
- Red Sauce Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce
- Mexican Salsa Recipe with Corn
- Seven Layer Taco Dip Recipe
- Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
- Grilled Steak Taco Recipe
- Air Fryer Chipolte Chicken
Watch a video on how to make it
Full Recipe Instructions
Chipotle Chicken Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 7 oz chipotle peppers in adobo sauce roughly chopped
- 1 tso cumin
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 15 oz black beans drained
- 3 medium avocados cubed
- Iceberg Lettuce shredded
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken thighs, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (with the sauce), cumin, salt, grated garlic, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Once the chicken has been marinated, grease your grill and bring the temperature to high heat. Grill both sides of the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Let the chicken cool slightly, then chop into small pieces.
- Build your burrito bowl with your desired amount of brown rice, black beans, avocado, chopped lettuce, salsa, and sour cream. Then enjoy.
Notes
- Storing– If you have leftovers, make sure to store the chicken separately from the lettuce and fresh vegetables. Just place the chopped chipotle chicken into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. It should last up to 4 days.
- Reheating– To reheat, you can place the chicken on a skillet with a few teaspoons of olive oil and mix with a spoon until it’s warmed through. Or you can microwave it, just make sure to microwave the chicken and rice only.
Nutrition
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Kelly says
Is the chicken really spicy (hot) after marinating them?
Dina says
Hi Kelly, it really depends on if you keep the seeds in or out of the chipotle peppers. If you want it less spicy, I recommend removing the seeds before dicing up the peppers. I hope that helps! 😊
Brenda Feliciano says
Do u not cook the black beans
Dina says
Hi Brenda 🙂 Canned black beans are already cooked and ready to eat. I hope you love this recipe! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Irina says
Where did you buy the chipotle peppers?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Irina, you can find these chipotle peppers at pretty much any grocery store. They will be in the Asian/Hispanic foods isle.