10+ Chipotle Copycat Recipes You Can Make at Home Easily

If you enjoy the flavors of Chipotle but want to make your favorite dishes at home, chipotle copycat recipes can help. These recipes let you recreate the taste of popular Chipotle meals using easy-to-find ingredients.

You can enjoy fresh, tasty meals without leaving your kitchen or spending extra money.

Copycat recipes are great for customizing dishes to your liking and controlling what goes into your food. Whether you want to make burrito bowls, chicken, or steak, these recipes guide you through simple steps to bring Chipotle’s flavors to your table.

Ingredients:

• Chicken or steak
• Rice
• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Cilantro
• Jalapeños
• Lime
• Spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, and paprika

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix spices, lime juice, and chopped herbs to prepare the marinade.
2. Marinate your meat for at least 30 minutes.
3. Cook rice according to package instructions.
4. Sauté or grill the meat until fully cooked.
5. Chop vegetables and mix salsa with lime juice and salt.
6. Assemble your bowl with rice, beans, meat, salsa, and any additional toppings.

1) Copycat Chipotle Chicken Marinade

To make a copycat Chipotle chicken marinade, start with some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. These add smoky heat and rich flavor.

Mix them with garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder for a tasty spice blend. Add olive oil and distilled vinegar to balance the heat and help tenderize the chicken.

Add salt and black pepper to bring out all the flavors. Blend everything into a smooth marinade.

Coat chicken thighs well with your marinade. Let them soak for at least one hour, or overnight for stronger flavor.

Ingredients

• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp distilled vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Coat chicken thighs with the marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Preheat grill or oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Cook chicken for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

2) Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe

You can make Chipotle-style barbacoa at home with simple ingredients and a slow cooker. The key is to use beef chuck, which becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking.

This dish gets its taste from a mix of spices like cumin, garlic, oregano, and a splash of lime juice. Apple cider vinegar adds a slight tang that balances the flavors.

After you sear the beef, slow cook it for several hours. When done, shred the meat for tacos, bowls, or burritos.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef chuck roast
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 cup beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Sear the beef roast in a hot pan until browned on all sides.
2. Mix garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers, and broth.
3. Place beef and sauce in slow cooker.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
5. Shred the meat before serving.

Learn more from this Chipotle Barbacoa recipe.

3) Smoky Chipotle Steak

You can make a smoky chipotle steak that tastes like it’s from a restaurant. The secret is a simple marinade with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, and spices.

Let the steak soak in the marinade for at least an hour. Then cook it on a hot grill or pan until it reaches your preferred doneness.

The result is juicy and full of bold flavors. You can use this steak for tacos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas.

It’s easy and quick for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb steak (sirloin or flank)
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ red onion
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Blend chipotle peppers, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate steak in the mixture for at least 1 hour.
3. Heat grill or pan to medium-high (about 400°F / 205°C).
4. Cook steak 4-6 minutes per side for medium doneness.
5. Let steak rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

For more details, check a Chipotle Steak recipe.

4) Chipotle Queso Blanco Dip

You can make a creamy and smooth queso blanco dip that tastes just like Chipotle’s. It has a mild cheese flavor with a little heat from peppers.

The dip is perfect for chips or to add to your favorite Mexican dishes. Start by melting white cheeses like Monterey Jack and cream cheese.

Add some jalapeños or serrano peppers for a bit of spice. A touch of evaporated milk helps create the right creamy texture.

Mix in a little cornstarch to keep the dip from getting too thin. Season with salt to bring out all the flavors.

This queso blanco is easy to make and will be ready in minutes.

Ingredients

• 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 4 oz cream cheese, diced
• 1-2 jalapeños or serrano peppers, minced
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine shredded Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and evaporated milk in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low, stirring until cheese melts.
3. Add minced peppers and salt, stir well.
4. Mix cornstarch with a little water, then add to the dip.
5. Cook and stir until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Serve warm with chips or over food.

For more details, you can check a Copycat Chipotle Queso Blanco recipe.

5) Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl

You can make a tasty Chipotle burrito bowl right at home. Start with cilantro-lime rice for a fresh, zesty base.

Add seasoned chicken or your favorite protein cooked with simple spices. Top your bowl with black beans, corn salsa, and a tomato salsa made from fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.

Finish with guacamole or sliced avocado for creaminess. It’s a healthy and quick meal you can customize any way you like.

You can have your bowl ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 1/2 cup black beans (canned or cooked)
• 1/2 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 2 cooked chicken breasts or your protein choice
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime and 1 lemon
• 1 avocado or guacamole
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the rice and stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
2. Season and cook the chicken until 165°F (74°C) internally.
3. Mix tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt to make salsa.
4. Heat black beans and corn.
5. Assemble bowl: rice, chicken, beans, corn, salsa, and avocado.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

6) Chipotle Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa

You can easily make Chipotle’s Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa at home with just a few fresh ingredients. This salsa has a bright, tangy flavor with a medium heat level that balances well with many dishes.

The key to this salsa is using tomatillos and green chilies. Roasting these ingredients brings out their flavors.

Adding fresh lime and lemon juice gives the salsa a zesty kick. This salsa is great on tacos, burritos, or as a dip for chips.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs tomatillos, husked and rinsed
• 1 Roma tomato
• 2-3 green chilies (like jalapeño or serrano)
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place tomatillos, tomato, and chilies on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes until soft and slightly charred.
3. Let cool, then transfer to a blender.
4. Add lime juice, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill before serving.

7) Cilantro Lime Rice

You can easily make Chipotle’s famous cilantro lime rice at home. It’s a simple mix of fluffy rice, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.

This rice adds a bright, zesty flavor to your meals. Start with long grain or basmati rice for the best texture.

Adding lime juice and chopped cilantro at the end gives the rice its fresh, tangy taste. Salt balances the flavors and brings everything together.

This rice works great as a side for Mexican dishes or as a base for bowls. You can cook the rice on the stove or in a rice cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain or basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
2. Add rice, salt, and oil if using.
3. Cover and reduce heat.
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed.
5. Remove from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes.
6. Fluff rice with a fork.
7. Stir in lime juice and cilantro.
8. Serve warm.

For a detailed guide, see this Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice recipe.

8) Chipotle Carnitas

You can make tender and flavorful carnitas at home that taste very close to Chipotle’s. The key is slow-cooking pork shoulder with cumin, oregano, and a bit of citrus for balance.

Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to cook the pork until it becomes juicy and easy to shred. After cooking, crisp the pulled pork in the oven or on the stove for a nice texture.

Serve carnitas in burritos, tacos, or bowls with rice, beans, and your favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and brown the pork shoulder on all sides.
2. Place pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
3. Add cumin, oregano, orange juice, lime juice, salt, pepper, and garlic.
4. Cook on low in slow cooker for 6-8 hours or high pressure in Instant Pot for 60 minutes.
5. Shred pork with forks.
6. Spread pork on a baking sheet and broil at 400°F (205°C) for 5-7 minutes to crisp the edges.
7. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

For more details, see this Chipotle carnitas recipe.

9) Adobo Marinated Chicken

Adobo marinated chicken gets bold flavor from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, and garlic. Blend these ingredients with olive oil and lime juice to make a tasty marinade.

Let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least an hour. This helps the flavors soak in and keeps the meat juicy.

Cook the chicken on a grill or in a hot skillet until it reaches 165°F (74°C). The smoky, spicy taste gives the dish its classic chipotle vibe.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tbsp adobo sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lime juice in a bowl.
2. Add chicken and coat well with marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
5. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, until internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

10) Chipotle Jalapeño Salsa

This salsa has a little heat and a smoky flavor. It combines fresh jalapeños with chipotle peppers for a spicy kick.

Lime juice and fresh cilantro brighten the mix, making it perfect for tacos or chips. Blend all the ingredients to keep the salsa smooth and fresh.

Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños. You can make this salsa quickly, and it works well as a sauce for grilled meats or veggies.

Ingredients

• 3-4 fresh jalapeños
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast jalapeños, tomatoes, onion, and garlic under a broiler at 400°F (200°C) until charred. This takes about 5-7 minutes.

2. Let the vegetables cool slightly. Add them to a blender or food processor.

3. Add chipotle peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.

4. Blend the mixture until smooth.

5. Taste the salsa. Adjust the salt or lime juice before serving.