A chicken Chipotle ranch burrito from Chipotle Mexican Grill is a popular menu item that many people enjoy. However, with its generous portions and indulgent ingredients like rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing, it is also a very high calorie meal. So just how many calories are in a Chipotle chicken ranch burrito?
Nutrition Facts for a Chicken Chipotle Ranch Burrito
According to Chipotle’s online nutrition calculator, here are the nutrition facts for a standard chicken Chipotle ranch burrito with the following ingredients:
- Flour tortilla
- White rice
- Pinto beans
- Fajita vegetables (peppers and onions)
- Tomato salsa
- Cheese
- Sour cream
- Ranch dressing
- Chicken
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,135 |
| Total Fat | 48 g |
| Saturated Fat | 18 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 145 mg |
| Sodium | 2,255 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 123 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugars | 5 g |
| Protein | 44 g |
As you can see, a single Chipotle chicken Chipotle ranch burrito clocks in at a whopping 1,135 calories! That’s over half of the recommended daily calorie intake for most adults.
Breaking Down the Calorie Count
To understand where all those calories come from, let’s take a closer look at the sources:
Flour Tortilla
The flour tortilla alone contains 300 calories. While tortillas are generally lower in fat and calories than bread, their refined carbohydrates and calories can still add up quickly.
White Rice
A standard serving of white rice at Chipotle contains 220 calories. Rice is a starchy carbohydrate that is low in fiber yet high in refined carbs and calories.
Pinto Beans
The pinto beans add 120 calories. Beans provide protein and fiber, but they also contain natural sugars and starches that boost the calorie count. Going with black beans instead would shave off about 30 calories.
Fajita Vegetables
On their own, the onion and bell pepper fajita veggies are relatively low calorie, providing just 20 calories. However, these are cooked with oil, which bumps up the calorie content.
Tomato Salsa
Chipotle’s tomato salsa adds a tangy kick while only contributing 10 calories. Salsa is one of the lowest calorie burrito ingredients.
Cheese
A standard serving of cheese at Chipotle packs on 130 calories. Cheese is high in saturated fat and calories, so choosing just a sprinkle or skipping it altogether could make a dent.
Sour Cream
The cool and creamy sour cream takes the calorie count up by 115. High in saturated fat, even small servings of sour cream tally up calories rapidly.
Ranch Dressing
As a creamy, fatty condiment, the ranch dressing accounts for a hefty 140 calories. Opting for a lighter vinegar-based dressing could trim calories.
Chicken
Finally, the chicken provides 180 calories. Chicken is a lean protein but still contains a meaningful amount of calories. Reducing the portion or substituting vegetables could reduce the calories.
How Portion Size Impacts Calories
The nutrition information provided is based on Chipotle’s standard serving sizes. However, burrito portion sizes can vary, which directly impacts the calories:
- A small chicken burrito contains around 850 calories
- A regular chicken burrito packs 1,135 calories
- A large or extra-large burrito may have over 1,500 calories
So paying attention to portion size is key for controlling calories. A smaller burrito with restrained toppings would provide closer to 700-800 calories, while a stuffed extra-large could top 2,000 calories.
Lower Calorie Options to Reduce Calories
If you want to enjoy a chicken burrito from Chipotle without breaking the calorie bank, here are some modifications to reduce the calories while still satisfying your cravings:
Choose a bowl instead of a tortilla
Skip the 300 calorie tortilla and order a burrito bowl. This instantly slashes calories while still letting you enjoy the burrito fillings.
Opt for black beans
The black beans have around 90 fewer calories than pinto beans.
Limit rice portion
Request just half a serving of rice or skip it entirely to remove those starchy calories.
Load up on veggies
Double up on the lower calorie onion, peppers, tomato salsa, and other veggies like lettuce, spinach or fajita peppers.
Pick guacamole over cheese and sour cream
Although high in fat and calories, an ounce of guac has about half the calories of a serving of cheese or sour cream.
Ask for light ranch or citrus vinaigrette
The citrus vinaigrette has just 45 calories compared to 140 for ranch.
Choose chicken, steak or carnitas
These leaner proteins are lower in calories than chorizo or barbacoa.
Opt for a soft taco or tacos
Smaller tacos will help control portions and calories compared to one large burrito.
Nutrition Tips to Balance Out the Calories
While it’s fine to occasionally indulge in a high calorie meal like a loaded 1,000+ calorie burrito, balance is key in an overall healthy diet. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Aim for reasonable portion sizes instead of supersized.
- Fill up on non-starchy veggies to provide fiber and nutrients.
- Round out the meal with sides like fresh fruit or a small salad.
- Drink water instead of caloric beverages like soda or juices.
- Engage in regular physical activity to help burn extra calories.
- Eat lighter, nutrient-dense meals earlier in the day.
- Don’t make an extra-large burrito a daily habit!
Being mindful about what you choose to eat and exercising moderation and balance can allow you to healthfully enjoy decadent foods like a Chipotle chicken ranch burrito while maintaining overall nutrition goals.
Conclusion
A chicken Chipotle ranch burrito from Chipotle packs a caloric punch, with even a standard regular-sized burrito containing over 1,100 calories. All those layers of rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing contribute substantial calories that can quickly add up, especially if ordering a large portion or indulging frequently. Paying attention to serving sizes, making lower calorie substitutions, and balancing out your diet with nutritious choices can help keep calories in check while satisfying a Chipotle craving. Being an informed consumer and practicing moderation is key to enjoying your food while maintaining overall good health.