I absolutely love sharing this Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe with you because it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug wrapped in a tortilla. Whether you’re craving something fresh for a weeknight dinner or want to impress friends at a casual gathering, this burrito is a game changer. The smoky kick from the chipotle ranch combined with tender grilled chicken and creamy avocado just works beautifully every time.
When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how easy it was to bring those bold flavors together without a ton of fuss. You’ll find that the balance of crunchy lettuce and those crispy tortilla chips sprinkled inside add a delightful texture that keeps each bite exciting. Trust me, once you make this Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe, it’ll quickly become a go-to in your meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor Combo: The chipotle ranch adds the perfect smoky heat that pairs so well with creamy avocado and fresh veggies.
- Easy Weeknight Meal: It comes together in about 20 minutes, great for when you want something satisfying fast.
- Customizable Wrap: Filled with simple ingredients, you can easily swap or add extras based on what you have on hand.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these burritos, and they’re a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe strike a great balance of fresh, creamy, and crispy textures. It’s easy to find everything at your local grocery store, and using good quality grilled chicken makes a noticeable difference.
- Flour or wheat tortillas: Large-size tortillas work best to hold all the fillings without tearing.
- Iceberg lettuce: Provides a crisp, refreshing crunch and holds up well in the burrito.
- Roma or slicing tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes add a juicy, tangy brightness to balance the smoky flavors.
- Grilled chicken: Using grilled or shredded chicken keeps the burrito hearty and packed with protein.
- Mexican/fiesta style or cheddar cheese: Melts nicely and offers some gooey richness inside.
- Hass avocado: The creamy avocado cools the spice from the chipotle ranch perfectly.
- Crunchy tortilla chips (optional): Adds that unexpected crispy crunch that makes each bite fun.
- Avocado ranch and chipotle ranch dressing: These two dressings are the stars that pull the whole flavor profile together.
- Cilantro lime or cantina rice (for serving): Adds a zesty, comforting side that rounds out the meal.
- Mexican style black beans (for serving): A hearty, protein-packed option if you want to serve sides.
Variations
I love how flexible this Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe is. You can really make it your own depending on your mood or dietary needs. I often experiment with different elements to keep things fresh.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the grilled chicken for sautéed mushrooms or grilled veggies—I tried this once and it was surprisingly satisfying!
- Spicy Upgrade: Add jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce inside for extra heat when I’m craving more kick.
- Cheese-Free: Use dairy-free cheese or simply omit it for a lighter, dairy-free burrito that’s still creamy thanks to avocado ranch.
- Wrap Swap: Use whole wheat or spinach tortillas to up the nutritional game or add color.
How to Make Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Warm Your Tortillas
Start by warming the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for just a few seconds on each side. This softens them up so you can fold the burritos easily without cracking or tearing. I like to keep a close eye here because they don’t need long – just enough warmth to make them flexible. Trust me, this little step makes a huge difference in the finishing texture.
Step 2: Build Your Burritos
Lay each tortilla flat and start layering the ingredients: about half a cup of shredded iceberg lettuce, one-third cup of your grilled or shredded chicken, a quarter cup of shredded cheese, a few tablespoons of diced tomatoes, and an eighth of a diced avocado right in the center. Then sprinkle a handful of crunchy tortilla chips over the top for that added crunch. Don’t forget to dollop one tablespoon each of chipotle ranch and avocado ranch dressing—you’ll love how those dressings add creamy, smoky goodness.
Step 3: Roll and Toast Your Burritos
Fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then roll it up tightly into a burrito. Next, mist a frying pan with some cooking spray and heat it over medium. Place the burritos seam-side down in the pan—you may need to do this in batches. Let them cook for a few minutes on each side until they turn beautifully golden and crispy. This toasting step seals everything in and gives you the best texture contrast between crisp outside and tender inside.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the burritos from the pan and plate them up. I love to serve mine with a side of cilantro lime or cantina rice and Mexican-style black beans. Feel free to drizzle on more avocado or chipotle ranch dressing if you want to amp up the flavor even more. Now, dig in and enjoy that perfect combination of smoky, creamy, crunchy, and fresh!
Pro Tips for Making Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe
- Use warm tortillas: I learned the hard way that cold tortillas crack when folded, so warming them briefly makes rolling a breeze.
- Don’t overload fillings: Keep the portions balanced so your burrito holds together and doesn’t become messy.
- Toast seam-side down first: This helps seal the burrito, so it won’t unravel while cooking or eating.
- Add chips last: Adding crunchy tortilla chips right before rolling prevents them from getting soggy inside.
How to Serve Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe
Garnishes
I typically finish these burritos with a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime to brighten everything. Sometimes I add pickled jalapeños for a tangy, spicy twist that my family can’t get enough of. A drizzle of extra chipotle ranch or avocado ranch dressing on top is my indulgence—you can never have too much ranch in these!
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are always a warm helping of cilantro lime rice or cantina rice, plus a bowl of Mexican style black beans. These sides complement the burrito perfectly with their fluffy texture and subtle flavor, making the meal feel complete without overshadowing the main event.
Creative Ways to Present
Whenever I have guests, I like to slice the burritos in half diagonally and display them standing up on a platter surrounded by colorful bowls of extra dressings, chips, and sides. It turns a simple burrito into a festive, shareable spread. Wrapping each burrito with a colorful napkin or parchment can make it easier to handle and adds a cute touch for casual parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually wrap leftover burritos tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. This way, the flavors have a chance to mingle but the burritos don’t lose their fresh texture. When stored properly, they’re still delicious heated up the next day.
Freezing
If I want to make a batch ahead of time, I wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month. Just be sure to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer to gently toast the burritos in a skillet over medium heat so the outside gets crispy again. Alternatively, microwave on medium power covered with a damp paper towel for 1-2 minutes, then finish with a quick sear in a pan to restore the crunch. This method keeps the filling warm without making the tortilla soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use rotisserie chicken for this Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that still gives you plenty of flavor and convenience. Just shred it and toss it with a bit of the chipotle ranch before assembling your burritos to keep that smoky, creamy taste.
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What’s the best way to make chipotle ranch dressing at home?
You can make a quick chipotle ranch by blending ranch dressing with a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce and a squeeze of lime. Adjust the spice level to your taste. This homemade version tastes fresher and lets you control how smoky or spicy it gets.
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Can I prepare these burritos ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the burritos without toasting them and keep them wrapped in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready, toast them in a pan or oven right before serving to keep that crispy exterior.
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Are these burritos freezer-friendly?
Definitely! Wrapped tightly, these burritos freeze well and reheat nicely. Just make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight and re-toast or warm gently to enjoy the same great texture.
Final Thoughts
This Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe has truly become a comfort food staple in my house. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor — everything you want from a homemade burrito. I love how it makes weeknights feel a little more special without requiring hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become one of your favorites too!
PrintChipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito recipe combines tender grilled chicken with fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and creamy chipotle ranch and avocado ranch dressings wrapped in warm, toasted tortillas. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, these burritos are flavorful, satisfying, and easy to prepare with optional sides like cilantro lime rice and Mexican black beans.
Ingredients
For the Burritos
- 8 large burrito flour or wheat tortillas
- 4 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups Roma, slicing, or vine tomatoes, diced
- 1 lb grilled chicken, cubed or shredded
- 2 cups Mexican/fiesta style or cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 large Hass avocado, diced
For Serving (Optional)
- 3 oz crunchy tortilla chips
- Avocado ranch dressing
- Chipotle ranch dressing
- Side of cilantro lime or cantina rice
- Side of Mexican style black beans
Instructions
- Warm Tortillas: Warm the tortillas for a few seconds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. This softens the tortillas, making them more pliable and easier to fold without tearing.
- Assemble Burritos: Divide the burrito fillings among the 8 tortillas by spooning about ½ cup of shredded lettuce, ⅓ cup grilled chicken, ¼ cup shredded cheese, 3 tablespoons diced tomatoes, and ⅛ of an avocado per tortilla. Sprinkle with a few crunchy tortilla chips for texture, then add 1 tablespoon each of chipotle ranch and avocado ranch dressings on top.
- Fold Burritos: Fold the sides of the tortilla inward to contain the fillings, then roll up tightly from one end into a burrito shape to secure all ingredients inside.
- Toast Burritos: Lightly spray a frying pan with cooking oil and warm it over medium heat. Place the burritos seam-side down in the pan (work in batches if needed) and cook for several minutes on each side until the tortillas are golden brown and toasted to a slight crisp.
- Serve: Remove the toasted burritos from the pan. Serve them alone or with optional sides such as cilantro lime rice, cantina rice, or Mexican style black beans. Drizzle extra avocado or chipotle ranch dressing on top if preferred for added flavor.
Notes
- Warming tortillas before assembling helps prevent them from cracking when folding.
- Using crunchy tortilla chips inside adds pleasant texture contrast.
- Customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chipotle ranch dressing.
- Leftover burritos can be wrapped and reheated in a skillet or oven for a quick meal the next day.
- Substitute grilled chicken with rotisserie chicken or another cooked protein if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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