14 Amazing Chipotle Orders You Must Try

Chipotle has become a favorite restaurant chain across America. The burrito bowls are delicious and affordable. But did you know they also offer some unique menu items? Here are 14 of our favorites.

Chipotle was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, who wanted to create a casual Mexican food experience where customers felt welcome and appreciated. Today, Chipotle offers over 2,500 restaurants nationwide.

Chipotle is known for its fresh ingredients and high-quality meats. They source their meat from local farms and ranches. Their menu features a variety of options, such as tacos, burritos, salads, quesadillas, nachos, and much more.

1. Guacamole

Chipotle Mexican Grill makes guacamole out of just six ingredients: avocados, lime juice, chopped green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and kosher salt.

They use a large metal whisk to combine everything together into a thick, creamy, incredible guacamole that is the best part of any bowl.

Chipotle’s guacamole is actually pretty simple. There are just six main ingredients: avocados (of course), lime juice, chopped cilantro, red onion, jalapeño pepper, and kosher salt. 

But there’s one thing you’ll never find in the bowl: artificial colors or flavors. In fact, Chipotle (see also ‘18 Easy To Recreate Chipotle Recipes‘) doesn’t even use preservatives. All the ingredients are hand-picked and chosen because they’re of the best quality available.

The avocado is always ripe and perfectly ripened. They don’t pick green ones and turn them into guacamole. And the limes used aren’t frozen. They’re freshly squeezed.

They don’t skimp on the onions, either. They cut them very thin so that you still taste the flavor of the onion without being overwhelmed by it.

And the chipotle chile powder isn’t added for color, but rather to give the guacamole that wonderful smoky flavor.

There are no shortcuts here. If you want good food, you’ve got to put in some work.

2. Chicken Bowls

Chipotle Mexican Grill offers customers a variety of different bowls to choose from. The bowl contains an adobo marinade that combines soy sauce, white vinegar, and peppercorns, along with garlic, bay leaves, and other spices.

After resting for about 8 hours, the chicken is then thoroughly cooked with marinaded liquid until it reaches the desired level.

Customers are given the option of choosing either brown rice, white rice, pinto beans or black beans, and fajitas vegetables.

Chipotle Mexican Grill’s burrito bowls are known for their delicious ingredients and high-quality meats. We’re a big fan of their grilled chicken marinated in their signature adobo sauce. 

There is nothing better than a warm bowl of spicy, flavorful, and juicy chicken topped with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese.

When you go out to dine at Chipotle, it is important to know what type of meal you want. If you are looking for a quick lunchtime snack, there are many different options for you. You can choose from tacos, burritos, salads, bowls, and much more.

If you want something more substantial, like dinner, you can find plenty of entrées such as burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more.

The Classic Chicken is the simplest option. It is a basic bowl filled with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cheese.

3. Queso Blanco

Chipotle has been known for making some pretty good food since it opened in 1993. While many people know the chain for its burrito bowl, it’s actually got quite a few options beyond just those. They make everything from nachos to pizza to salad dressing (see also ‘9 American Salad Chains You Must Visit‘).

But what most people don’t realize is that there are also tons of delicious sides to choose from. And one of our favorites is their queso, Blanco.

While you might think that the name sounds like something out of a horror movie, it really isn’t. In fact, it’s pretty tasty.

These cheeses are blended together, along with tomatoes, garlic, and a variety of peppers. This makes for a very flavorful dip that is perfect for snacking, especially on chips, crackers, or even veggies.

One thing we do notice about the queso Blanco is that it does seem to be slightly thicker than the queso that came before it. However, it still manages to spread easily over whatever you’re eating.

4. Barbacoa Bowl

Chipotle’s barbacoa bowl is one of the most popular items on the menu. It consists of a half pound of shredded barbacoa served over rice with cilantro, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and tortilla strips.

You can add chicken, steak, carnitas, or pork to make it even more filling.

A barbacoa bowl is a great option if you want something different, but still crave some of Chipotle’s famous flavors. 

This dish features shredded barbecued beef cooked in a rich tomato sauce topped with cilantro, avocado, and queso fresco. You can find it on the menu alongside burritos, tacos, and salads.

The barbacoa bowls are inspired by the traditional Mexican dish called barbacoa de Boda, which is typically made with lamb. In this version, the meat is flavored with chipotle chile powder, lime juice, and adobo sauce.

We love how much flavor there is in each bite. With every ingredient, you pick up different flavors. The salad adds crunchiness, while the chips give you a little sweetness. And the barbacoa itself has such a rich, savory flavor.

5. Carnitas Taco

The carnitas taco joins the chain’s existing menu items, including burrito bowls, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, tacos, nachos, guacamole, and chips as well as sides like rice and beans.

Chipotle offers a variety of different taco options, including chicken, steak, pork, fish, shrimp, and vegetarian. Each option comes with your choice of grilled proteins — either soft shell or hard shell — along with your favorite toppings.

The menu items are priced based on what you order. For example, a burrito costs $6.99 while a bowl of nachos runs $8.49. Prices vary slightly depending on where you eat.

If you’d like to try something new, there’s always the carnitas taco. This dish features shredded beef seasoned with chipotle chile powder and served inside a corn tortilla.

It’s similar to the traditional Mexican dish called carne asada, which is usually cooked over an open flame.

You can also customize your order by choosing how many tacos you want. A single taco costs $2.29, while three cost $5.79.

6. Carnitas Style Bowl

The main protein in the carnitas bowl is the carnitas. Mild-tasting braised pork that is marinated overnight and slow-cooked for several hours. When it’s done, it’s shredded by hand, providing a nice textural contrast in every bite.

At 210 calories per serving, carnitas are also the protein choice most likely to contain the highest amount of calories. But they’re also packed with flavor and surprisingly filling.

And because they’re so versatile, they work well with just about anything else you might want to put into your taco bowl.

But our favorite way to enjoy carnitas is still the classic combination of carnitas, rice, black beans, and pinto beans. It makes for one delicious meal, topped off with some fresh pico de Galla salsa.

7. Cheese Style Quesadilla

Chipotle’s quesadillas are a staple menu item at many locations across the United States.

They’re served in a variety of sizes — small, medium, large, and extra-large — and each one includes a combination of ingredients ranging from chicken to steak to carnitas.

Although there are some variations among the different types of quesadillas, most feature four basic components: corn tortillas, shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese, ground beef, and tomatoes.

The key elements here are the tortillas and cheese. You want something that’s soft enough to melt into the meat without being too thick to keep it from falling apart.

A good option is a thin, crunchy tortilla that’s about half the thickness of a regular burrito tortilla. This allows you to get a decent amount of cheesy goodness while still keeping the rest of the food intact.

You’ll find Monterey Jack cheese at almost every Chipotle location, though sometimes it’s labeled simply as “cheese.” If you can’t find it, try substituting it with another mild, melty cheese, like mozzarella or cheddar.

Finally, the meat. Some people prefer leaner cuts of beef, while others opt for fattier options like rib eye or skirt steak.

Regardless of what type of meat you choose, it’s important to use high-quality ground beef. Avoid anything that looks dry or grainy; it won’t taste good.

8. Chicken Filled Burritos

Chipotle’s burritos are one of our favorite things about the chain. There’s no better way to spend $6 than on a bowl of deliciousness. But what makes it even better is how easy it is to customize your burrito. 

You pick your protein, choose your toppings, and you’re good to go. And there’s nothing like getting a burrito with some extra guacamole, sour cream, and lettuce. 

Chipotle’s burritos are a good option because they’re filling, delicious, and reasonably priced. But sometimes you want something different. Something bigger. Something better.

That’s where the burritos come in.

They’re big enough to feed a family of four, and they’re packed full of meat, rice, beans, vegetables, and plenty of toppings.

The best part about the burritos is how easy it is to customize. You choose your protein – chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa, pulled pork, etc.

Then you pick your sauce – green chile, chipotle, adobo, etc.And finally, you decide what type of rice you’d like – white or brown, quinoa or black, etc.

9. Quesadilla Burrito

The quesadilla burrito consists of a grilled flour tortilla filled with shredded beef, tomatoes, lettuce, cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa verde, and jalapeños. Then, it gets wrapped up into a burrito.

Chipotle’s secret menu items are well known among fans, but there are some dishes that even the most dedicated customers might not know about.

One such dish is called the Quesaritos, which consists of a grilled tortilla wrapped around cheese quesadillas stuffed with pulled pork, black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, and cilantro.

While this sounds delicious enough, it is actually quite difficult to eat without a fork and knife. This is because the entire thing is enclosed within a single tortilla, so it is impossible to eat it with a spoon.

10. Veggie Fajitas

The fajita veggies are one of our favorite sides because they pack a lot of flavor without being too heavy. 

We love how easy it is to customize your order and add whatever toppings you want. You can even use the same ingredients to make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.

They are a great option for vegetarians and vegans alike. We serve them with rice and black beans, but they could easily go with refried beans or even mashed potatoes. 

11. Chicken Salad

Chipotle’s salads are always good, but we’ve found a few recent additions that are particularly delicious. For example, their “salad with chicken” is a great choice if you’re looking for something light and healthy.

The salad topped with chicken is our favorite because it’s filling and nutritious. 

Chipotle’s menu features a variety of entrées, sides, and desserts. But if you’re looking for something light, try one of their salads.

They offer three different options, including a vegetarian option, and each includes a base of romaine lettuce, spinach, and kale.

You can add beans, queso Blanco, guacamole, salsa, chipotle sauce, and honey vinaigrette. Each salad is served with chips and housemade pico de gallo.

The salad topped with chicken is our favorite because it’s full of protein and fiber. Plus, it tastes like a healthier version of a taco salad.

12. Vegan Style Sofritas

One of the meat-free options is sofritas, which is shredded or crumbled tofu that is typically seasoned and cooked like beef. Sofritas are often served with rice and beans, but they’re great on just about anything you’d put chips on.

The most popular vegan option is probably the sofritas. They’ve usually braised alone in a mixture of spices including cumin, oregano, garlic, onions, and tomatoes.

Some people even add chipotles in adobo sauce, which adds spicy heat to the dish.

Even as people who don’t eat meat, we love how flavorful the sofritas are. They’re very hearty and filling, and they give you some added protein without having to worry about cholesterol or fat grams.

Chipotle’s sofritas are one of our favorite vegan items on the menu. They’re braised in a variety of spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.

Then, they’re roasted with poblanos and jalapeños. Finally, they’re finished off with lime juice and cilantro. All told, it makes for a very flavorful dish.

The sofritas come in three sizes: small ($4), medium ($6), and large ($8). You can find them in most locations nationwide. 

13. Chorizo Burrito Vegan Bowl

Chipotle recently introduced a new menu item called “sofritas,” which are crispy fried tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken breast, black beans, pico de gallo salsa, and cilantro.

But now you can add another option to your burrito bowl game plan — plant-based chorizos.

The chorizo is made from pea protein, and like the sofritas’ counterpart, it’s loaded with flavor. Each 4-ounce package contains 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fiber.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering a burrito bowl option for those looking to eat meatless without sacrificing flavor.

The item includes a black bean chili topped with rice, cilantro, avocado, salsa verde, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and vegan chorizo.

For the chorizo, Chipotle uses pea protein, which gives the product a texture similar to ground beef. To make the dish, the restaurant cooks the pea protein with onions, garlic, spices, and tomatoes, then adds it to a blend of beans and corn.

The final product is cooked into a doughlike consistency, which is formed into patties and fried. The chorizo is served in a single patty, which contains around 160 calories and 6 grams of protein. 

14. Steak Salad

We love salads. They are one of our go-to meals because they give us a lot of bang for our buck. A big bowl of greens, topped with vegetables and lean proteins, is filling enough to satisfy even the hungriest person.

And while there are plenty of delicious dishes out there to choose from, sometimes you just want something simple. Enter Chipotle. 

Their salads are always flavorful, balanced, and satisfying. But we recently discovered that some of their most popular items are just as good—if not better—as their entrées. 

The salad starts off with a generous portion of romaine lettuce, tossed in a creamy dressing. Then, the dish gets a little spicy with a squeeze of lime juice and chipotle pepper powder.

Next, the chef adds chunks of grilled steak, along with black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.

All of those ingredients are topped with a drizzle of olive oil and served over a bed of arugula. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and full of nutrients. 

Plus, it’s super easy to make. You don’t need to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen, making sure every ingredient is perfectly cooked. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re new to eating healthier or if you’ve been trying to cut back on your overall calorie intake, these 14 recipes will help you get started. 

Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or an indulgent treat, these options have all the right flavors and textures to keep you satisfied.

So, sit back and try out one of these 14 meals at Chipotle today to finish your amazing day off!