Craving Mexican food while sticking to a ketogenic diet? Look no further than the keto chipotle bowl! This recipe allows you to enjoy the flavors of Chipotle without the carb overload. It's a fantastic way to satisfy your cravings, whether you're looking for a quick lunch, easy meal prep, or a healthy dinner. Best of all, it's incredibly customizable, allowing you to create your perfect bowl every time.
Keto at Chipotle: Understanding Your Options
Yes, it's entirely possible to maintain a keto diet while eating at Chipotle. The key is to be mindful of your choices. Traditional burritos, tacos, and salads often contain high-carb ingredients that can derail your ketosis.
The No-Nos
- Rice and Beans: These are the biggest culprits when it comes to carbs. White rice packs a whopping 39 net carbs per serving, while brown rice contains 34 net carbs. Black beans contribute 15 net carbs, and pinto beans have 13 net carbs.
- Flour Tortillas: Traditional burritos are wrapped in flour tortillas, which are not low carb.
The Green Light
- Proteins: Every protein option at Chipotle is keto-friendly.
- Base Alternatives: Opt for a bowl instead of a burrito, tacos, or salad.
- Beverages: Ditch the sodas and choose water, seltzer, or unsweetened iced tea.
Building Your Keto Chipotle Bowl
The beauty of the keto chipotle bowl lies in its simplicity and adaptability. The basic principle involves cooking a protein in a skillet and combining it with fresh ingredients and your favorite toppings. If you want a burrito, make low-carb burrito bowls instead.
Core Ingredients
- Protein: Chicken is a popular choice, especially chicken thighs for their flavor. Chicken breasts or ground chicken can also be used. If you're following a keto diet, this Copycat Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowl is delicious and simple.
- Base: To make this a keto burrito bowl use cauliflower rice, Palmini fried rice, or shirataki rice. Chipotle also recently came out with their cauliflower rice bowls, which are surprisingly delicious.
- Lettuce: Romaine lettuce provides a crisp and refreshing element.
Flavorful Toppings
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a classic addition.
- Sour Cream: Adds a creamy tang.
- Avocado: A source of healthy fats and creamy texture. Don't forget the guacamole!
- Salsa: Pico de gallo or your favorite fresh salsa are great choices. A quick homemade cherry tomato salsa is a flavorful option.
Chipotle Chicken Recipe: The Heart of the Bowl
The chipotle chicken is arguably the most important component of this bowl. The recipe below creates tender, juicy chicken with a smoky, slightly spicy flavor.
Chipotle Chicken Ingredients:
- 1/2 red onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo, plus 2 tbsp. sauce
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Chipotle Chicken Instructions:
- In a food processor, blend onion, garlic, chile, adobo sauce, oil, lime juice, oregano, and cumin until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer marinade to a large resealable bag. Add chicken and rub all over to coat. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Prepare a grill for high heat; heat 5 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade. Grill chicken until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 165°, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board; set aside.
- Slice reserved chicken into cubes.
Quick Chipotle Chicken Variation:
- Add all the ingredients for the marinade to a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Transfer marinade to a large bowl and add the chicken. Toss to combine, cover and place in the fridge for 1 to 3 hours. If you’re in a rush you can use right away, the flavor is better if you have time to allow it to sit.
- Heat avocado oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the chicken with marinade and cook on a medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning a couple of times, until cooked through.
Cauliflower Rice: A Low-Carb Base
Cauliflower rice is an excellent substitute for traditional rice in a keto diet. It's low in carbs and provides a neutral base for the other flavors in the bowl.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Cauliflower Rice Instructions:
- Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Add the cauliflower rice and salt and cook for 15 minutes, or until soft.
- Once cooked, remove it and set aside.
Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Green onion
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- To make the fresh tomato salsa, mix diced fresh tomatoes, and green onion in base of the bowl.
- Toss with olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.
Cilantro-Lime Rice (Non-Keto Option)
If you're not strictly following a keto diet, cilantro-lime rice adds a bright and flavorful element.
Cilantro-Lime Rice Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed, drained
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- Juice of 2 limes, divided
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Cilantro-Lime Rice Instructions:
- In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add rice, salt, and juice from 1 lime and cook, stirring, until coated, about 1 minute. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender, 22 to 25 minutes.
- Fold in cilantro and top with remaining lime juice.
Black Beans (Non-Keto Option)
While not strictly keto-friendly due to their carb content, black beans can be included in moderation if you're not aiming for strict ketosis.
Black Beans Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. neutral oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 (15.5-oz.) cans black beans, undrained
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp. chipotle chile powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Black Beans Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender and just turning golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
- Add beans, some bean liquid, water, chile powder, oregano, cumin, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
Corn Salsa (Can be adjusted for Keto)
Corn salsa adds a touch of sweetness and freshness. To make it more keto-friendly, use it sparingly or substitute some of the corn with other low-carb vegetables like bell peppers.
Corn Salsa Ingredients:
- 24 oz. frozen corn, cooked
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- Kosher salt
Corn Salsa Instructions:
- In a large bowl, toss corn, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lemon juice, and lime juice to combine; season with salt and pepper.
Assembly: Creating Your Masterpiece
- Divide your chosen base (cauliflower rice, lettuce) evenly among bowls.
- Top with your protein (chipotle chicken, steak).
- Add your favorite toppings: cheese, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, salsa, etc.
- Serve with lime wedges for added acidity.
Tips and Customization
- Make it Convenient: Use pre-made ingredients like store-bought guacamole or salsa to save time.
- Spice it Up: Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers or chili powder to control the heat level.
- Add Veggies: Include other low-carb vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini.
- Use our copycat Chipotle chicken recipe. This recipe is super customizable, but if you take nothing else from this recipe, you’ve gotta make that Chipotle chicken. It’s super-tender and juicy, thanks to an extra-flavorful marinade featuring just the right amount of heat from chipotle chiles in adobo (of course!). It’s also wonderful for meal prepping, whether you’re whipping up these bowls, tucking it into burritos, using it to add a little spice to chicken pasta dishes… the sky’s the limit.
- Make the recipe convenient for you. I’ve included recipes here for our takes on Chipotle’s cilantro-lime rice, black beans, and corn salsa (my fave!), and our pico de gallo, our guacamole, and our homemade salsa, but I know it might seem like a lot. Convenience is part of Chipotle’s charm, after all, so set yourself up for success by picking and choosing which classic elements you make, and which you switch up.
- Use your favorite pre-mades. Can’t stand the gamble of un- or overripe avocados? Use store-bought guac. Wish Chipotle had a fruitier salsa option (me too!)? Swap in some mango salsa or pineapple salsa. Have some leftover quinoa or farro kicking around in your fridge? These other elements are the perfect way to jazz them up and give them new life. It’s your bowl-have fun with it!
Serving Suggestions
- Tortilla Chips: A classic accompaniment. For a keto option, try keto tortilla chips.
- Queso Dip: Pairs perfectly with both the bowls and the chips.
- Chicken Quesadillas: Use leftover chicken to create a heartier side dish.
Storage
- Chipotle Chicken: Can be stored in its marinade, sealed and in the fridge, overnight. Cooked chicken can be stored for up to 3-4 days.
- Rice and Beans: Cooked rice and beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Facts (Estimates)
- Calories: 570-690 (depending on ingredients and portion sizes)
- Fat: 42-51g
- Saturated Fat: 16-22.5g
Reviews
"I made it per instructions, and it was soooooo good!" - sha9744
"This is a wonderful recipe. It is simple and easy to make. Make sure you marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. Tasty recipe." - nan9788
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