Chipotle at home meal prep 🌶️
The price definitely varies depending on what you already have at home and the amount you are purchasing!
For example the cheese, I know my family will use the 2lb bag of cheese for other meals, but a 8oz bag of the same cheese is $1.97 vs the $7.38 for the 2lb bag. Same with the limes, instead of getting the big bag grab 3-4 limes, and it will cost less!
Additionally the add ons! Get what you like on yours!! As you can see the comparison between mine and my husband’s bowls we have different taste buds! He doesn’t like guacamole salsa and didn’t want a tortilla without those two add ons that’s about $7 less than the original price!
Additional tips/notes:
🍚🍋🟩🌿- don’t forget to add salt to your rice! I used about 6 limes but I like my rice super limey!! 3-4 likes would be fine to give it that good hint of lime! Tip for cutting cilantro, I pull the leaves off the stems and toss the stems, then gather the leaves and ball them up and the cut slices and then repeat until they are chopped to my liking. When adding the lime juice and cilantro to the rice I add half of each and fold it into the rice and then add the rest and fold it in again!
🐓🌶️- I rinse my chicken in the sink and pat dry with paper towels to make it less slimey and easier for me to hold and cut! I cut the pieces bigger than I think I need because it will shrink a little once cooked. For seasonings, use whatever you have in your cabinet, it takes trial and error to learn what you like, my main spices I use in almost everything is onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder and salt! When cooking I put a little vegetable oil at the bottom of my pan, and I keep stirring the chicken and flipping it to make sure it cooks evenly on each side, to make sure it cooks through I will take a lid and cover it for a bit so the heat can’t escape to make sure that internal temperature gets nice n hot, I check if it’s done by taking a piece out and cutting it in half and then I cook it a little bit more just to be safe 😅 lol I’m still scared of cooking chicken haha
🫘🌽- I drain the cans over the sink because I don’t like the extra juice or fishing for my corn and beans lol, you can microwave these the cans have instructions on them on how to microwave, personally I think it’s easier to pour both cans into a small pot with a lid and put it on the stove since the stove is already hot from cooking. I season my corn and beans with the same seasonings I use in the chicken!
The last slide is how I ate mine! And my son lol!! We got a little mesh net feeder, it’s meant for fruits and stuff, but we stuck a piece of chicken in there and he loved it!! We haven’t had much luck with purées so I was honestly surprised!
#chickenrecipeideas #mealprep #chipotlecopycat #budgetmeals #mexicanfood
Cooking at home allows you to replicate your favorite Chipotle bowls without breaking the bank. For the main ingredients, consider purchasing bulk when it's feasible, as you'll have leftovers for other meals. For example, instead of buying a large pack of cheese, opt for smaller portions to match your needs. Don’t underestimate the power of seasoning! Use basic spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder to elevate the flavor of your chicken and veggies. Remember, it's all about experimenting with what you have on hand to find combinations that work for your palate. If you're cooking rice, adding lime and cilantro can enhance its freshness—don’t forget to season it with salt to boost flavor! When preparing proteins like chicken, rinse and pat dry to make for easier cutting, and don’t be afraid to season generously. Cook thoroughly while flipping and covering to ensure even heat distribution. For easy side dishes, canned beans and corn can be quickly heated on the stove and seasoned as desired. For a fun twist, consider using mesh feeders for small children, introducing them to more complex flavors while making mealtime enjoyable. This preparation method not only flavors the dish but also allows for gentle integration of healthy foods into a child's diet—making cooking an enjoyable family activity too!