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Spicy Chipotle Chickpea Burrito Bowls

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If I had unlimited money and could eat 10,000 calories a day without gaining a pound, I would literally eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day at Chipotle or Qdoba.

Let me describe my obsession to you with one story (I might have told this before….ALL MY STORIES ARE STARTING TO RUN TOGETHER).

I’m going to preface for two seconds…literally every time we went out to eat in Georgia, I attempted to convince Seth to go to Chipotle (sometimes I even used bribes…….). At this point in our lives, he was so burned out that he could barely look in the direction of a black bean…let alone an entire burrito.

Preface over.

So for Valentines Day this past year, Seth and I decided to get each other gifts, but nothing over five dollars. Which basically means you make the gift. So he designed and printed a BUNCH of different coupons off of Photoshop and gave them to me (best gift ever). They were things like “Food Delivery Service” (meaning he goes and picks up takeout), “One Boone Free Night,” “Super Messy Kitchen Cleanup,” and stuff like that. And he gave me about five or so of each.

One set he gave me said “CHIPOTLE!!!” (written exactly like that), which basically gave me the ability to thrown down a coupon and get a trip to Chipotle, no arguments or complaints allowed!

Naturally, the Chipotle coupons were my fave, and they were all used up within two weeks. REGRET.

My point is this: if one of my Valentines Day gifts was 5 free trips to Chipotle…you know I’ve got it bad. Real bad. Especially when those were my favorite coupons out of the entire stack…………..DON’T JUDGE ME.

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Is this irrational obsession normal?

No. Absolutely not.

Do I accept it and move on?

Yes. Yes, I do.

Because we can’t afford to go eat Chipotle or Qdoba every day (it’s a little expensive!), I have to quench my burrito bowl thirst by making them at home.

And let me just tell you….and this means A LOT coming from me….they are even better when you make them yourself! Not to mention much healthier.

Woooooohoooo BURRITO BOWLS ERRYDAY.

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Just something about the combination of spicy chickpeas, fresh grilled corn, home made guacamole, seasoned brown rice, melty cheese, a drizzle of creamy Greek yogurt, topped off with cilantro and green onions just makes me the happiest person in the world.

I could eat this burrito bowl for every meal. And I would never get sick of it.

EVER.

Mark my words.

So let me give you a little disclaimer here: when I say Spicy Chickpea Burrito Bowl, I do mean spicy. It’s not too spicy (even hubbs who doesn’t love spicy food agrees), but it’s definitely got a kick!

So if you don’t like spicy food, I would eliminate the Chipotle and just season the chickpeas with cumin, maybe some chili powder (depending on how much you dislike spicy food), and salt before adding in the chicken stock and squeeze of lime.

That way you can still enjoy these bowls of mouthwatering, heavenly, creamy goodness without hurting your little tongue-y.

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The toppings are pretty much the most important part in burrito bowls like this, but if you want to keep it super simple and limit it to just a few toppings, I would definitely go with the guac (YOU CAN’T LEAVE OUT THE GUAC), and the cheese….or maybe the grilled corn….never mind I can’t choose. Just do what sounds good to you. Except the guac…that’s mandatory :).

P.S. – The Garlic Diaries now has a Facebook page! Head over here and like it (or you can like it on my sidebar – kind of near the top)! Happy Friday :).

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Spicy Chipotle Chickpea Burrito Bowls

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Annie Chesson
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
  • Yield: 3-4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (or veggie stock) plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1 15 oz can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • 1 small can of chipotles in adobo sauce (should be in the Mexican section of your grocery store)
  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspooon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (regular chili powder works too)
  • 1 1/2 limes
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • 2 ears of corn
  • Other toppings:
  • Mexican cheese blend
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • Salsa

Instructions

  1. For the rice:
  2. Bring 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (or veggie stock) to a boil
  3. Add the brown rice and bring back to boil
  4. Cover, reduce to a simmer, and simmer for 45 minutes
  5. Meanwhile, for your guacamole:
  6. In a bowl, mash together one avocado, the red onion, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, the juice from one lime, and a little salt
  7. Taste and add any extra salt you think it needs
  8. Place in the fridge until everything else is ready
  9. For the chickpeas:
  10. Remove two of the peppers from the can of chipotles, and add them into a blender with 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce from the can and the remaining 2 tablespoons of chicken/veggie stock
  11. Blend until relatively smooth
  12. Drain your chickpeas and add them to a skillet over medium high heat with a little olive oil
  13. Add your chipotle mixture to the chickpeas along with your minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  14. Let this cook until the chickpeas are hot and most of the liquid has absorbed into them
  15. Squeeze a little lime juice on top of the chickpeas and set aside
  16. For the corn:
  17. Leave the husks on the corn and grill them until the kernels are tender (if you don’t want to grill them, you can remove the husks and boil the ears of corn, or you can use frozen corn)
  18. When the corn is done, slice off the kernels and set aside
  19. Prepare your other toppings
  20. When your rice is finished cooking, drain off any extra liquid and stir in 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the remaining 1/4 cup of cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice
  21. To assemble, start with a base of brown rice, add the chickpeas, the guacamole, cheese, corn, green onions, cilantro, Greek yogurt, and salsa (optional)
  22. Note: if you don’t like spicy food and want to make this more mild, eliminate the chipotles in adobo sauce and instead saute the chickpeas with cumin and salt to taste (and maybe some chili powder, but that will give a little spice), the 2 tablespoons of chicken stock, and a little lime juice

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*This recipe is gluten free*

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In the mood for more yummy Mexican recipes? Check these out:

Healthy, Cheesy Taco Skillet

Huevos Rancheros with Grilled Salsa Verde

Mexican Twice Baked Potatoes

 

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Comments

  1. Seriously one of the best things I’ve ever made!! Found this right before my newly vegetarian daughter came to visit and she loved it as well!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  2. I came across your blog after doing a Google search for “chickpea bowls”… garbanzo beans have never looked so good, literally made my mouth water. I can’t wait to try this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  8. Want. This. Now. Oh, and embarrassing confession here.. I’ve never been to Chipotle. Where I used to live there wasn’t one anywhere near me. There is one where I live now, but I just haven’t gone yet. I’m definitely going to go soon!
    Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Zucchini PancakesMy Profile

    Reply

    • Whhhhaaaaattt you need to go!! You should get the Sofritas when you go :). It’s tofu (kind of scary), but it’s the best thing they have in my opinion!

      Reply

  15. This recipe looks wonderful! However, I can’t seem to find the chickpeas in the ingredients list??

    Reply

    • Thanks, Tracy! I know…you are totally right – someone pointed that out earlier too. Whoops! The chickpeas are in the recipe now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!!!

      Reply

  16. Hi,
    Love Chipotle’s. My favorite fast food but , like you, my husband isn’t a fan. More to do with our local place than Tex-Mex food. He loves the Chipotle’s in Kent or Columbus, both college towns. However I do have a question, I don’t see where you’ve listed the chickpeas in recipe ingredient list. I’m pretty sure you are requesting a 15 oz. or 2 cuo can but just want to be sure. Thanks (these 63 y.o. eyes might have missed itin listings).

    Reply

    • Ugh, darn husbands :)! Wow, you are so right, I left it out of the recipe. It’s in there now. And yep, it’s a 15 oz can. Thank you so much for pointing that out to me – you rock!

      Reply

    • Have you tried the Sofrito burrito bowl? It is still vegetarian and vegan (it uses tofu), and it is seriously THE BEST THING EVER. That’s what I get every time and I’m not even a vegetarian! Thanks, Julie :).

      Reply

  19. I need to get my booty back over to Chipotle! I loveeeee that their chicken has MINIMAL INGREDIENTS and doesn’t contain weird fillers and sugar!!! :D :D :D I had a tiny bite of Qdoba chicken once, and whoa that was good too… I wonder what’s in it! ;)

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Yes yes yes!! Chipotle all day. You should try their Sofrito burrito bowl next time – it will rock your world :).

      Reply

  22. Ok. First of all I love the Valentine’s gifts of coupons! That is such a heart-warming idea of a gift! Next – guacamole – you just can’t do Mexican without it! Which is my problem with Chipotle. They charge extra. At least at the one I wen to here. I do love your chickpea burrito bowls and I bet Seth thinks they are way better than Chipotle! :)
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Stuffed and Bacon Wrapped FigsMy Profile

    Reply

    • I know, isn’t he the sweetest?!? Agreed…this burrito bowl (and all Mexican food) would be so much less delicious and satisfying without the GUUAACCC!!!! Girl…I know. The upcharge kills me. I don’t know if you have a Qdoba around you, but they don’t charge extra for the guacamole. And they have queso ;). Or you could just make it at home, which is better than all the other options anyway!!! He does love it more than Chipotle :). Score!

      Reply

    • Thanks, Kelly! If he loves Chipotle he will DEFINITELY love these!! They taste even better (if possible) :)!

      Reply

  24. Love it!! And I love Chipotle too!! Yummy place – although a bit of a distance from my house :( Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe :)
    Pinned it!

    Reply

    • Thanks, Linda! It would probably be a good thing if it was further away from my house…lessen the temptation :). But nope! Right down the street…*sigh*

      Reply

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