Craving Mexican food or a quick, healthy meal? Look no further than this keto-friendly chipotle bowl recipe! Inspired by Chipotle's popular bowls, this homemade version is packed with flavor, customizable to your liking, and perfect for meal prepping. Whether you're a seasoned keto dieter or just looking for a delicious low-carb option, this recipe is sure to satisfy.
Why Choose a Keto Chipotle Bowl?
Traditional burritos and bowls often rely on high-carb ingredients like flour tortillas, rice, and beans. This keto adaptation swaps those out for low-carb alternatives, allowing you to enjoy all the flavors of a classic Chipotle bowl without the carb overload.
- Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly: By using cauliflower rice and focusing on protein and healthy fats, this bowl fits perfectly into a ketogenic diet.
- Customizable: One of the best things about Chipotle bowls is the ability to customize them to your preferences. This recipe is no different! Feel free to swap out ingredients, add your favorite toppings, and adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Quick and Easy: With some simple prep work, this bowl can be assembled in minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights or a quick and healthy lunch.
- Great for Meal Prep: The components of this bowl can be made ahead of time and stored separately, making it ideal for meal prepping.
Ingredients for Your Keto Chipotle Bowl
Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients you'll need to create your own delicious keto chipotle bowl:
Chipotle Chicken
The star of the show! This chicken is marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and chipotle peppers, giving it a smoky and slightly spicy kick.
- 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 and Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
Cauliflower Rice (or alternatives)
A low-carb substitute for traditional rice, cauliflower rice provides a neutral base for the bowl.
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- 1 head of cauliflower, riced (or pre-riced cauliflower)
- Olive oil
- Salt
Alternatives: Palmini fried rice, or shirataki rice can also be used as a low-carb base. Miracle rice or even mushroom rice are other options with different tastes and textures.
Additional Components
- Black Beans: While beans are generally avoided on a strict keto diet, a small portion can be included.
- 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 and Freshly ground black pepper
- Corn Salsa: Adds a touch of sweetness and freshness.
- 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
- Fresh Salsa: A 1-minute homemade chopped cherry tomato version.
- Diced cherry tomatoes
- Green onion
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
- Cilantro-Lime Rice (Optional): For those who want a rice-like texture with a burst of flavor.
- 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
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese.
- Toppings:
- Avocado slices or guacamole
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Chopped red onion
- Cilantro
- Jalapeños
- Lime wedges
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to assemble your keto chipotle bowl:
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a food processor, blend onion, garlic, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, oil, lime juice, oregano, and cumin until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large resealable bag. Add chicken and rub all over to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
2. Prepare the Cauliflower Rice
There are a couple of ways to cook cauliflower rice:
- Skillet Method: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower rice and salt. Cook for 15 minutes, or until soft.
- Steaming/Boiling: Steam or boil the cauliflower rice until tender.
3. Cook the Chicken
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. Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning a couple of times, until cooked through.
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4. Prepare the Black Beans (Optional)
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.
5. Make the Corn Salsa
In a large bowl, toss corn, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lemon juice, and lime juice to combine; season with salt and pepper.
6. Assemble the Bowls
Slice the cooked chicken into cubes. Divide cauliflower rice (or your chosen base) among bowls. Top with chicken, beans (optional), corn salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Chipotle Bowl
- Marinate the Chicken: Don't skip the marinating step! This is key to infusing the chicken with flavor and keeping it moist. If you’re in a rush you can use right away, the flavor is better if you have time to allow it to sit.
- Customize Your Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chipotle pepper and jalapeño to your preference.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will always give you the best flavor.
- Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: This recipe is a template. Feel free to add your own favorite low-carb ingredients and toppings.
- Make it Convenient: To save time, store pre-cooked cauliflower rice in the refrigerator.
Customization Ideas
- Protein: Instead of chicken breasts, try using boneless skinless chicken thighs, ground beef with taco seasoning, or even steak.
- Vegetables: Add chopped Romaine lettuce, red onion, Roma tomatoes, or any other low-carb veggies you enjoy.
- Salsa: Experiment with different types of salsa, such as mango salsa or pineapple salsa.
- Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Consider adding olives, pickled onions, or a sprinkle of your favorite cheese.
Serving Suggestions
These keto burrito bowls taste amazing by themselves for lunch or dinner. You really don't need to serve them with much of anything else. If you are really craving Mexican food, then serve these bowls with some homemade queso. Or, add a bowl of slow cooker chicken soup to the side.
Storage Instructions
The Chipotle chicken can sit in its marinade, sealed and in the fridge, overnight, and once cooked, can similarly be stored for up to 3 or 4 days. Similarly, both the cooked rice and black beans can also be kept, stored in an airtight container, in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and so can be made ahead of time or stored for later. Store the components of the bowl separately to prevent them from becoming soggy.
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Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
- Nutrition facts: 570 calories, 42g fat, 16g sat.
- Nutrition facts: 660 calories, 46g fat, 18.5g sat.
- Nutrition facts: 630 calories, 45g fat, 18g sat.
- Nutrition facts: 690 calories, 51g fat, 22.5g sat.
- Nutrition facts: 650 calories, 46g fat, 18 sat.