Replicate Qdoba’s Cholula Chicken Burrito at Home Easily!
If you’re anything like my husband, you can’t resist a good burrito. He’s a burrito fanatic, and when we first discovered Qdoba’s Cholula Chicken Burrito, it quickly became his go-to order. As a Brit, I’ll be honest—burritos weren’t exactly at the top of my list of favorite foods. But that all changed the day I took my first bite of a Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito.
The combination of flavors caught me off guard in the best way possible. The spicy, tangy Cholula hot sauce, the perfectly seasoned chicken, the fluffy cilantro-lime rice, and all those fresh, tasty fillings—it’s hard not to love! It was a total game-changer for me and, to be honest, it’s now a staple in our household.
But let’s be real: Qdoba trips add up, and sometimes you just want that same mouthwatering burrito without leaving the house. What if you could recreate that exact flavor at home? Well, you absolutely can! With this Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito recipe, you get all the bold flavors of Qdoba without ever stepping foot in a restaurant.
After experimenting with a few tweaks in the kitchen, I’ve perfected a recipe that delivers the same zesty, spicy, and savory goodness you expect from a Qdoba burrito. And the best part? It’s so easy to make! Whether you’re prepping a quick weeknight dinner or planning a laid-back meal with friends, this burrito is sure to be a hit. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to bring those bold, restaurant-quality flavors right to your table. Plus, you can tweak it to suit your taste—like adding more heat or piling on extra toppings.
Trust me, once you’ve tried this at home, it’ll become a new favorite in your recipe rotation!
First Things First – Equipment
Before we dive into making this delicious burrito, let’s make sure we’ve got the right equipment on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this copycat Qdoba masterpiece:
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- A grill – For perfectly searing and cooking the chicken, locking in all the flavor while adding the perfect amount of char. My husband prefers the Char-Broil Performance Series for good value and high quality:
- Pot – To cook your rice perfectly without any fancy equipment needed. Here’s the large and affordable set we’re currently loving in our kitchen:
Why Make a Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito?
What makes the Cholula Chicken Burrito so special? It’s all about the balance of flavors and textures. You’ve got spicy and tangy Cholula sauce coating tender, juicy chicken, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, black beans, and fresh toppings—all wrapped up in a warm tortilla. It’s packed with flavor in every bite!
The beauty of making this burrito at home is that you can customize it to your liking. Want more heat? Add extra Cholula! Prefer a veggie-packed burrito? Load up on fajita veggies and salsa. This recipe lets you recreate the bold Qdoba flavors with the flexibility to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavor-packed Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito:
- 2 large boneless chicken breasts – Tender and juicy, seasoned to perfection.
- 1/2 cup Cholula hot sauce – The classic star of the show, adding the perfect amount of heat and tang.
- 1/2 cup squeezable honey – Adds sweetness with minimal mess!
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning – To give the chicken extra flavor.
- 4 Flour Tortillas – Large, burrito-sized tortillas to hold all your fillings.
- 2 Boil-in-the-Bag White Rice bags – Fluffy rice cooked with minimal effort.
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic – Garlic makes everything better, doesn’t it?!
- 1 Large Fresh Lime – Adds the perfect amount of zing to the rice!
- Fresh Chopped Cilantro – You can’t beat the taste of freshly chopped cilantro in every bite.
- 1 can of Bush’s Best Chili Beans Black Beans – A classic burrito filling, warm and seasoned.
- 1 cup shredded cheese – Shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend for melty goodness.
- Sour Cream – Adds creaminess and balances out the heat.
- Freshly Ground Salt and Pepper – Optional, add to your liking.
- Fresh Salsa – Optional, adds a burst of freshness to each bite.
- Fajita Veggies – Optional, but a great addition for added crunch and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by marinating your chicken breasts in a mixture of Cholula hot sauce, honey, and taco seasoning. This step is crucial to infuse the chicken with that bold, spicy flavor. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours or overnight if you have the time. Keep about 4 tbsp of the marinade aside to put back over the chicken once it’s cooked.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Once the chicken has marinated, fire up your grill to medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil so it doesn’t stick, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until it’s cooked through and has a nice sear. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips and coating it with the 4 tbsp of marinade you set aside earlier.
Step 3: Prepare the Cilantro-Lime Rice
While the chicken is cooking, prepare your cilantro-lime rice. Cook your boil-in-the-bag rice as per the box instructions. Zest and juice your lime, chop your fresh cilantro, add your minced garlic and toss everything together. The result is fluffy, flavorful rice ready to serve!
Step 4: Warm the Beans and Tortillas
In a small pot, warm the Bush’s Best Chili Beans Black Beans over low heat. At the same time, heat your flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until they’re warm and pliable. We prefer them drained but if you like the sauce you can keep a little with the beans.
Step 5: Assemble the Burrito
Now comes the fun part—assembly! Lay your warm tortilla flat and start with a layer of cilantro-lime rice, followed by the black beans, sliced chicken, cheese, and any other toppings you love, like fajita veggies, sour cream, queso or fresh salsa. Don’t forget a drizzle of Cholula hot sauce for that extra kick!
Step 6: Wrap and Toast the Burrito
Carefully fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll it up tightly into a burrito. If you have a burrito press or panini maker, you can toast the burrito for a minute or two until the tortilla is crispy and golden brown. This step gives the burrito that perfect, satisfying crunch when you bite into it, but it’s still great without toasting!
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once your burrito is toasted to perfection, slice it in half and serve with extra Cholula hot sauce on the side. This copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito is bursting with flavor—spicy, tangy, savory, and fresh all in one bite. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend indulgence with friends.
Tips and Tweaks for the Perfect Burrito
1. Control the Heat: If you want more spice, add extra Cholula hot sauce to the chicken marinade or drizzle more inside the burrito.
2. Customize Your Fillings: This burrito is super versatile. Add avocado, pickled jalapeños, or guacamole for more flavor and texture.
3. Use Different Beans: Black beans are classic, but feel free to swap them for pinto beans or refried beans if you prefer.
4. Make it Veggie-Friendly: If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, swap the chicken for grilled veggies or tofu, and still enjoy all the bold flavors!
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The Takeaway
This Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito delivers all the bold flavors you love from Qdoba, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. With juicy, Cholula-marinated chicken, fluffy cilantro-lime rice, black beans, and all your favorite toppings wrapped in a warm tortilla, it’s a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re craving Qdoba or just want a hearty, homemade burrito, this recipe is sure to impress!
Copycat Qdoba Cholula Chicken Burrito
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup Cholula hot sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 bags of boil in the bag white rice
- 1 lime zested and halved
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- freshly ground salt and pepper to taste
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 can Bush’s Chile Beans Black Beans
- 1 cup shredded cheese of your preference optional
- Sour cream optional
- Fresh salsa optional
- Fajita veggies optional
- Queso optional
- Extra Cholula hot sauce for serving optional
Instructions
- 1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine Cholula hot sauce, honey, and taco seasoning. Add the chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours/overnight if you have the time). Keep 4tbsp aside for later. 2. Grill the chicken: Heat a grill over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips and then coat it with the 4tbsp of marinade you set aside earlier.3. Prepare the cilantro-lime rice: Cook boil-in-the-bag rice according to the package instructions. Toss the cooked rice with lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic and chopped cilantro.4. Warm the beans and tortillas: In a small pot, heat the black beans over low heat. Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.5. Assemble the burrito: Lay each tortilla flat and layer with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, grilled chicken, shredded cheese, and any additional toppings like sour cream, fajita veggies, queso or fresh salsa.6. Fold the burrito: Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly into a burrito.7. Toast the burrito (optional): For extra crunch, toast the burrito in a burrito press or panini maker for 1-2 minutes until the tortilla is golden and crispy.8. Serve and enjoy: Slice the burrito in half and serve with extra Cholula hot sauce on the side.
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Last update on 2025-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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