The best Chipotle order depends on what you want from the meal: the most protein for your calories, the most flavor, the lightest option, or the best value. Below are ten example builds, each with calories and macros calculated from standard serving sizes, plus advice on how to adjust them.
Ten builds worth ordering
Pick by goal: high protein, lighter, vegan, kid-friendly or just delicious. Tweak anything.
Typical prices updated Nov 6, 2026 · may vary by store
How we chose these builds
These are example orders, not menu items, and we are not claiming they are the most popular. We picked builds that illustrate a goal and made sure each one can be assembled from ingredients that are on the standard line at most locations. Where a protein like sofritas may not be at every restaurant, we say so. Portions at the counter vary a little, so the numbers on each card are estimates based on Chipotle's published per-serving data. For the data itself, see the nutrition calculator or Chipotle's nutrition calculator.
The ten builds
1. The classic chicken burrito
- 980 cal
- 58g protein
- 118g carbs
- 29.5g fat
- Flour Tortilla (burrito)
- Cilantro-Lime White Rice
- Black Beans
- Chicken
- Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Cheese (Monterey Jack)
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $10.95
The dependable all-rounder. A good first order if you are new.
2. High-protein chicken bowl
- 840 cal
- 82g protein
- 68g carbs
- 27.5g fat
- Cilantro-Lime White Rice
- Black Beans
- Chicken (double)
- Fresh Tomato Salsa
- Cheese (Monterey Jack)
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $14.90
Double chicken costs extra. The best protein per dollar of effort.
3. Lighter chicken salad
- 360 cal
- 41g protein
- 32g carbs
- 8.5g fat
- Romaine Lettuce
- Chicken
- Black Beans
- Fajita Veggies
- Fresh Tomato Salsa
Est. price: about $10.95
A lower-calorie meal that still has a solid portion of protein.
4. Steak and guac bowl
- 760 cal
- 36g protein
- 76g carbs
- 35.5g fat
- Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice
- Pinto Beans
- Steak
- Fajita Veggies
- Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa
- Guacamole
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $15.15
Richer and more filling. Guacamole is usually an extra charge.
5. Carnitas crispy tacos
- 555 cal
- 32g protein
- 35g carbs
- 29g fat
- Crispy Corn Tortilla (each, 1 of 3) (x3)
- Carnitas
- Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa
- Cheese (Monterey Jack)
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $11.45
Smaller portion, big flavor from the slow-cooked pork.
6. Barbacoa burrito
- 975 cal
- 46g protein
- 121g carbs
- 30.5g fat
- Flour Tortilla (burrito)
- Cilantro-Lime White Rice
- Black Beans
- Barbacoa
- Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $12.20
Spicy, saucy beef for people who like bolder flavors.
7. Vegan sofritas bowl
- 760 cal
- 23g protein
- 85g carbs
- 39.5g fat
- Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice
- Black Beans
- Sofritas
- Fajita Veggies
- Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa
- Guacamole
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $13.90
No dairy. Sofritas may not be available everywhere.
8. Low-carb steak salad
- 530 cal
- 30g protein
- 20g carbs
- 36g fat
- Romaine Lettuce
- Steak
- Fajita Veggies
- Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa
- Cheese (Monterey Jack)
- Guacamole
Est. price: about $15.15
No rice, no beans, no tortilla. Fat and protein forward.
9. Soft chicken tacos
- 625 cal
- 48g protein
- 58g carbs
- 24.5g fat
- Soft Flour Tortilla (each, 1 of 3) (x3)
- Chicken
- Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
- Cheese (Monterey Jack)
- Romaine Lettuce
Est. price: about $10.95
A lighter way to enjoy the tortilla.
10. Chicken quesadilla
- 745 cal
- 52g protein
- 56g carbs
- 32g fat
- Flour Tortilla (burrito)
- Cheese (Monterey Jack) (extra)
- Chicken
- Fresh Tomato Salsa
Est. price: about $11.95
Melty and indulgent. Quesadilla nutrition is an estimate.
Best orders by goal
Best for protein
Order a bowl with double chicken, which gives you 82 grams of protein in this build. To see all the proteins ranked per calorie, use the table below. If you want a full list of ideas, visit the high-protein orders page.
| Protein | Cal | Protein g | g per 100 cal | Price | g per $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Most protein per calorie Best value | 180 | 32 | 17.8 | $10.95 | 2.9 |
| Barbacoa | 170 | 24 | 14.1 | $12.20 | 2 |
| Steak | 150 | 21 | 14 | $12.20 | 1.7 |
| Carnitas | 210 | 23 | 11 | $11.45 | 2 |
| Sofritas | 150 | 8 | 5.3 | $10.95 | 0.7 |
Protein, calories and ratio are for a standard portion of the protein alone. Price is the bowl price for that protein, so g per $ is a rough guide. Double portions cost extra.
Best for fewer calories
The lighter chicken salad comes to about 360 calories, compared with about 980 for the classic chicken burrito. Skipping the tortilla and the rice is the biggest saving. See the calories guide for more swaps.
Best for flavor
Most people say flavor comes from salsas and slow-cooked proteins, so try carnitas or barbacoa and add a bold salsa. Guacamole adds richness. A tomato-based salsa is the mildest, and the red salsa is the spicier choice at most locations.
Best for kids
Kids often do well with a simple build: a cheese quesadilla or a small bowl with rice, beans and a mild protein. See the kids menu for more.
Best for vegans and vegetarians
Build a bowl on rice, beans, sofritas or vegetables and guacamole, then skip the cheese, sour cream and queso. Check the vegan and vegetarian guide.
Best for gluten-conscious diets
Choose a bowl or salad, or crispy corn tacos, and skip the flour tortilla. Cross-contact is possible, so read the gluten-free guide.
Best order for value
Value is subjective. A burrito usually fills you up the most for the price, and chicken or veggie are generally the lower-priced proteins at most locations. Adding guacamole or double protein adds cost, so decide what is most important. The price calculator can compare your options, and our price tables show the ranges we have sampled.
How to customize any of these
- Swap rice. White and brown rice are close in calories, so pick the one you like.
- Go light on rich toppings. Cheese, sour cream and queso add calories fast.
- Add vegetables. Fajita vegetables and lettuce add volume for few calories.
- Ask for sauce on the side when it is available, so you control the amount.
- Use the app. It lets you build and review your order before you pay. See how to order.
Looking for more unusual combinations? The secret menu guide collects customization ideas that work at many locations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to order at Chipotle?
It depends on your goal. For a balanced all-rounder, a chicken burrito or bowl with rice, beans, salsa, cheese and lettuce is hard to beat. For fewer calories, a salad. For more protein, double chicken.
What is the healthiest Chipotle order?
A salad or bowl with lean protein, beans, vegetables and a light salsa is usually the lighter route. Define healthy for yourself, and use the nutrition tables to compare.
What is the best high-protein order?
A bowl with a double portion of chicken, steak or barbacoa and beans. See the protein table above.
What is the cheapest filling order?
A burrito or bowl with a lower-priced protein, such as chicken or veggie, and no add-ons. Check your local prices in the app.
What is the best Chipotle order for weight loss?
A salad or bowl with lean protein, beans, vegetables and salsa, and fewer rich toppings. Calories matter more than any single food.
What do most people order?
We do not have popularity data, so we cannot say. The classic chicken burrito or bowl is a typical choice.
Are these exact menu items?
No. They are example builds you can create from the standard ingredients.
Can I save my favorite order?
In the app, you can usually save a favorite or reorder a recent order. Look for the options on your account page.