Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl
Every office has that one guy with a Chipotle order so dialed in it deserves its own plaque—and for us, that’s Brennan. This man walks into Chipotle like he’s assembling a Formula 1 engine: precision, efficiency, flavor. After watching him customize his bowl like a culinary savant one too many times, I knew I had to recreate it in true Meaningful Macros fashion. Thus, Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl was born—equal parts homage and high-protein meal prep beast.
This bowl is built around smoky, chili-rubbed chicken breast that gets seared to perfection and layered over buttery jasmine rice. Add in zesty tomato salsa with fresh lime, tender black beans, crispy romaine, a hot sauce drizzle, and a sprinkle of mozzarella for good measure, and you’ve got a meal that’s straight out of Brennan’s brain and into your fridge. It’s bold, balanced, and—dare I say—better than the real thing. Sorry, Chipotle. Brennan just cooks with more heart.
If you’re chasing flavor without compromising macros, this recipe is your golden ticket. You’ll be meal-prepping four bowls so good you might consider naming your next child Brennan. Whether you’re bulking, shredding, or just sick of overpriced takeout, this DIY Chipotle Bowl delivers everything you crave with none of the upcharge. Respect the order. Respect the man. But most importantly, respect the macros.
Brennan’s Chipotle Order
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp chipotle chili powder
- ½ tbsp chili powder
- ½ tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper omit for milder version
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the Tomato Salsa:
- 5 medium Roma tomatoes diced
- 2 medium jalapeños diced (remove seeds for milder version)
- ½ medium red onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- Juice of 2 limes reserve additional limes for serving
For the Base:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 tbsp salted butter
For Serving:
- 1 can black beans 15.25 oz
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 limes cut into wedges
Instructions
Prep the Chicken:
- Mix Seasonings in a small bowl.½ tbsp chipotle chili powder, ½ tbsp chili powder, ½ tbsp paprika, ½ tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper
- Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them in half horizontally. This ensures even cooking.2 lbs boneless
- Coat chicken in olive oil, then rub seasonings evenly on both sides. Let sit while preparing other components.2 tbsp olive oil
Cook the Rice & Beans:
- Cook jasmine rice using your preferred method (I love my rice cooker!). Stir in butter for better texture.1 cup jasmine rice, 1 tbsp salted butter
- Heat black beans in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot (don’t overcook or they’ll get mushy).1 can black beans
Make the Tomato Salsa:
- Dice red onion and mix with 1 tsp salt in a small bowl (this reduces the sharp bite of raw onion).½ medium red onion, 1 tsp salt
- Dice tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic and combine with the onion mixture, sugar, and lime juice. Stir well.5 medium Roma tomatoes, 2 medium jalapeños, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp sugar, Juice of 2 limes
Cook the Chicken:
- Grill Method: Heat a flat-top grill or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and cook 3-4 minutes per side until done.
- Stovetop Method: Add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet and sear the chicken on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
Assemble & Serve:
- Dice cooked chicken into ½-inch cubes.
- Divide rice, beans, chicken, and salsa evenly into meal prep containers.
- Add lime wedges to each container for fresh juice when serving.2 limes
- Top with cheese, lettuce, and hot sauce after reheating for the full Chipotle-style experience.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1 tbsp hot sauce
Nutrition
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Why You’ll Love Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl
This bowl is a full-on homage to the real-deal Chipotle experience—but made macro-friendly and meal prep-approved. You’ve got smoky, spicy grilled chicken, buttery jasmine rice, seasoned black beans, crisp shredded lettuce, a fresh tomato salsa that actually slaps, and a final flourish of cheese and hot sauce to bring it all together.
It’s customizable, easy to prep in bulk, and loaded with 66 grams of protein per serving. That’s not just lunch—that’s a flex. Whether you’re cutting, bulking, or somewhere in between, this burrito bowl hits every checkbox without sacrificing flavor.
And yes—the lime wedges are non-negotiable.
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
You can treat this bowl like a Chipotle line: add what you want, skip what you don’t.
- Swap the protein – Sub chicken thighs for extra juiciness or use steak, shrimp, or tofu.
- Low-carb version – Swap jasmine rice for cauliflower rice or skip the beans entirely.
- Extra toppings – Sour cream, guac (if you can spare the fat), corn salsa, or chipotle ranch.
- Cheese options – Mozzarella works, but cotija, cheddar, or Monterey Jack are fair game.
- Fire up the salsa – Add extra jalapeños, serranos, or even a few dashes of hot sauce directly to the mix.
Expert Tips to Perfect Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl
- Butterfly the chicken – Cutting breasts in half makes them cook faster and more evenly.
- Use a grill pan or cast iron – You want a nice sear to bring out the smoky flavor. Don’t skip this step.
- Marinate if you have time – Let the spices and lime juice sit on the chicken for at least 20 minutes.
- Red onion hack – Salting the red onion before adding it to the salsa tones down the bite and boosts flavor.
- Don’t overcook the beans – Heat just until hot, then remove from the burner. Nobody likes mush.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
- Storage: Store in airtight meal prep containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and rice, but keep the lettuce and salsa fresh.
- Reheating: Microwave the base (chicken, beans, rice) and add cheese, lettuce, salsa, and hot sauce after.
- Serving tip: Turn this bowl into a burrito or salad-style wrap with a low-carb tortilla or shredded cabbage base.
Optional Garnishes for Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Sliced avocado or guacamole (if you’re not tracking fat too tightly)
- A drizzle of chipotle ranch or sour cream
- Extra lime wedges
- A sprinkle of chili flakes or Tajín
FAQs
Can I grill the chicken instead of searing?
Absolutely. If you’ve got a grill, this recipe becomes next-level. Just don’t skip the seasoning or the lime—they’re what gives it that chipotle kick.
Can I use canned salsa to save time?
Sure can, but I recommend a chunky pico or fresh salsa to preserve texture. This homemade salsa adds freshness and keeps the macros clean.
How spicy is Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl?
Mild to medium—unless you keep the jalapeño seeds or go heavy on cayenne. You control the heat, chef.
Can I meal prep the components separately?
Definitely. Store rice, chicken, and beans together; keep salsa and lettuce separate for max freshness.
Is Brennan’s Chipotle Bowl gluten-free?
Totally! Every component in this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your spices and hot sauce if you’re celiac-sensitive.
6 Other High-Protein Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re looking for the ultimate macro-friendly protein source, chicken is your go-to. These high-protein chicken recipes are designed for serious meal prep success—packed with lean protein, balanced macros, and bold flavor that makes clean eating feel like cheating.
Whether you’re cutting, bulking, or just maintaining a high-protein lifestyle, these chicken meals are perfect for your weekly rotation. Each one is built for easy tracking, quick reheats, and serious meal prep efficiency. From chicken rice bowls to high-protein pastas and oven-roasted classics, these recipes cover all the best ways to prep chicken for muscle-building, fat loss, or just leveling up your lunch game. If you’ve been searching for “healthy chicken meal prep,” “easy high-protein chicken meals,” or “fitness-friendly chicken recipes,” this is where your next prep week starts.
My most popular High-Protein Meal prep Recipes (they slap)
- Mongolian Meatballs – A high-protein meal prep classic: sweet, savory, macro-packed beef meatballs that always deliver.
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- Chipotle Honey Chicken Bowls – 53g of protein per bowl with smoky-sweet flavor and lime-infused jasmine rice—perfect for muscle-building meal prep.
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- Baked Tandoori Salmon – A bold, high-protein salmon meal prep with warm spices and minimal effort. Perfect for healthy weeknight dinners.
And as always, if you made it all the way down here and still haven’t found your perfect macro-packed meal, you can explore my full recipe catalogue—over 60+ free high-protein meal prep recipes—linked right here.
The blueprint to high-protein meal prep
Want to see how I structure high-protein meal prep recipes like this to hit real fitness goals—whether you’re cutting, bulking, or just trying to stay lean? Check out my full meal prep strategy here to learn how I use macro-friendly meals to stay consistent all week long.
This was so delicious! I personally made half the recipe and that was the perfect amount for me. The flavors are incredible, I can’t wait to recommend this website to all my friends!