If you are craving a meal that bursts with bold flavors, satisfying textures, and a perfect balance of smoky heat and creamy coolness, the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito Recipe is exactly what you need. This recipe brings together tender grilled chicken, zesty taco-seasoned rice, crunchy tortilla strips, and a luscious chipotle ranch dressing all wrapped up in a warm, toasty flour tortilla. It’s a fiesta of flavors that’s simple to make yet impressive enough to become a new favorite for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward yet flavorful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of texture and taste—from the smoky grilled chicken to the creamy chipotle ranch that ties everything together.
- 2 cups cooked white rice: Provides a soft, fluffy base that soaks up the taco seasoning beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning: Adds a vibrant, savory kick to the rice with classic Mexican spices.
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and chopped: The star protein, juicy and charred for that irresistible smoky flavor.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Brings melty, sharp creaminess that complements the spice.
- 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips: Adds a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- ½ cup sour cream: Balances heat with its rich and tangy smoothness.
- ½ cup chipotle ranch dressing: The signature flavor enhancer, smoky, creamy, and spicy all at once.
- 4 large burrito-sized flour tortillas: Soft and pliable to hold all the delicious fillings without falling apart.
- ½ cup mayonnaise: Forms the base of the homemade chipotle ranch for extra creaminess.
- ½ cup sour cream: Combined with mayo to perfect the ranch’s texture and tang.
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix: Brings that classic ranch flavor to the dressing.
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped: Infuses a smoky heat with a subtle complexity.
- 1 teaspoon lime juice: Adds brightness and a slight zing to the dressing.
- Salt to taste: Enhances all the flavors evenly in the dish.
How to Make Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito Recipe
Step 1: Season the Rice
Start by mixing the cooked white rice with the taco seasoning. This simple step transforms plain rice into a flavorful base by infusing it with warm, savory spices that complement the chicken perfectly. Set it aside to allow the spices to mingle and the rice to absorb all those aromatic flavors.
Step 2: Grill and Slice the Chicken
Next, grill the chicken breasts until they’re fully cooked with slight char marks that add a smoky depth. Once done, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes so the juices settle, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. This ensures every forkful in your burrito is juicy and packed with grilled goodness.
Step 3: Warm the Tortillas
To make rolling a breeze and prevent cracking, heat the tortillas until they become soft and flexible. You can warm them in a skillet for a dry heat or briefly in the microwave wrapped in a damp towel—either method preps them to perfectly hug all the fillings.
Step 4: Assemble the Burritos
Layer the ingredients carefully: start with a generous scoop of taco-seasoned rice, then add grilled chicken pieces, sprinkle shredded cheddar, scatter crunchy tortilla strips, and dollop on the creamy sour cream and chipotle ranch dressing. This layering ensures that every mouthful delivers a balanced bite of textures and flavors.
Step 5: Roll the Burritos
Fold the tortilla sides inward, then roll it up tightly from the bottom. A snug roll keeps the fillings from spilling and prepares your burrito for that delicious grilling step that seals in all the goodness.
Step 6: Grill the Burritos
Place the burritos seam-side down on a hot skillet and grill them for 2–3 minutes per side. This step crisps the tortilla into a golden shell, locking in warmth and adding a toasty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy fillings.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once grilled, slice the burritos in half if desired and serve hot with extra chipotle ranch for dipping. It’s the perfect finishing touch to boost that signature flavor and spice up each bite.
How to Serve Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your burrito experience, fresh garnishes are a must. Think chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or a handful of fresh pico de gallo. These add vibrant freshness and a pop of color that brightens the smoky richness of the burrito.
Side Dishes
Pair your burritos with light, complementary sides like a crisp corn salad, black bean and corn salsa, or even a simple avocado guacamole. These sides not only round out the meal nutritionally but also bring cooling and textural contrasts that highlight the burrito’s hearty flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the burrito halves in colorful bowls lined with lettuce leaves or diced tomatoes and jalapeños. Alternatively, turn them into burrito bowls by deconstructing the ingredients and layering them in a bowl—perfect for spooning up every bite with ease and style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos can be wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them wrapped helps maintain moisture while preventing the tortillas from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save these tasty burritos for later, wrap each burrito individually in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To keep the burritos crispy and delicious, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side. Alternatively, unwrap from foil and microwave covered loosely with a damp paper towel, but the skillet method gives the best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chicken for this burrito?
Absolutely! While grilled chicken breasts work wonderfully for this recipe, you can also use grilled chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier, more flavorful cut. Just be sure to cook thoroughly before chopping.
Is it possible to make the chipotle ranch dressing from scratch?
Yes! The recipe actually includes a homemade option using mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, chopped chipotle pepper in adobo, lime juice, and salt. Mixing these ingredients together creates a smoky, creamy, and tangy dressing that’s hard to beat.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
You can easily swap the grilled chicken for grilled veggies like peppers, mushrooms, or seasoned tofu. For a vegan version, use dairy-free cheese and substitute the chipotle ranch with a vegan-friendly dressing alternative.
What if I don’t have tortilla strips or chips?
No worries! You can omit them or replace with crushed roasted nuts like pepitas to maintain that desirable crunch. The tortilla strips add texture but aren’t essential for flavor.
How spicy is the chipotle ranch dressing?
The chipotle pepper in adobo gives the dressing a mild to moderate smoky heat. If you prefer less spice, use half the chipotle pepper or skip it altogether. You can always add more if you want extra kick!
Final Thoughts
If you love recipes that combine ease, boldness, and irresistible flavor, the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito Recipe is a total winner. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals when you want something satisfying and fun. Give it a try and share the excitement with your loved ones—you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again.
Print
Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 burritos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Description
This Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito is a flavorful and satisfying meal featuring tender grilled chicken, seasoned rice, shredded cheddar, and crunchy tortilla strips, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla and grilled to crispy perfection. The homemade chipotle ranch dressing adds a smoky, spicy kick that makes these burritos irresistibly delicious and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Burrito Filling
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chipotle ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
For the Chipotle Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Salt to taste
- 4 large burrito-sized flour tortillas
Instructions
- Season the rice: Mix taco seasoning thoroughly into the cooked white rice until evenly coated. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Grill and slice the chicken: Grill the boneless skinless chicken breasts over medium-high heat until fully cooked with a slight char for added flavor. Allow the chicken to rest before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the flour tortillas in a skillet or microwave briefly until they become soft and pliable, making them easier to roll.
- Assemble the burritos: On each warm tortilla, layer a portion of seasoned rice, chopped grilled chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, crunchy tortilla strips, sour cream, and chipotle ranch dressing.
- Roll the burritos: Fold the sides of each tortilla inward, then tightly roll from the bottom up to enclose the filling completely.
- Grill the burritos: Place the burritos seam-side down onto a hot skillet. Grill each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy to seal the burrito and enhance flavor.
- Serve: Slice the burritos in half if desired and serve hot, accompanied by extra chipotle ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- You can prepare the chipotle ranch dressing in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
- Use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut if you prefer a quicker meal.
- For extra spice, add more chopped chipotle peppers or sprinkle with cayenne powder.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute flour tortillas with corn tortillas or gluten-free wraps.
- Leftover burritos can be wrapped in foil and reheated in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350°F for best results.
