This high-protein Chicken Burrito is stuffed with smoky chipotle chicken, brown rice, black beans and just enough cheese to make it feel indulgent — without blowing your calories. Each burrito packs a hefty 62 g of protein, making it perfect for meal prep, busy weeknights or fuelling hungry families.
If you love a burrito but don’t love the post-takeaway regret, this High-Protein Chicken Burrito is your new best mate.
We’re talking tender, spice-coated chicken breast, smoky chipotle, fibre-rich black beans and brown rice all wrapped up in a soft tortilla.
It’s bold, filling and properly satisfying — not one of those “healthy” meals that leaves you raiding the biscuit tin at 9 pm.
Each chicken burrito delivers around 62 g of protein for roughly 621 calories.
The main protein source is lean chicken breast, with bonus support from black beans and reduced-fat cheddar. All you need equipment-wise is a large frying pan and a bit of enthusiasm.
Ready in 25 minutes, family-friendly, and ideal for batch cooking. That’s midweek sorted.
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Recipe
62 g protein per chicken burrito – serious fullness factor.
Ready in 25 minutes, start to finish.
Built from simple UK supermarket ingredients.
Great for meal prep lunches or freezer stash dinners.
Easy to tweak for spice levels (keep it mild or crank it up).
Actually filling — no sad desk lunches here.
Key Ingredients
Chicken Breast. The protein powerhouse. Lean, quick-cooking and perfect for soaking up all that smoky spice.
Chipotle Paste. Adds smoky heat and depth. If you’re in the UK and can’t get chipotle in adobo, a good-quality chipotle paste works brilliantly.
Ground Cumin & Smoked Paprika. The backbone of that classic burrito flavour. Warm, earthy, and slightly sweet.
Black Beans. Extra protein and fibre to keep you fuller for longer. They bulk things out without bulking out calories.
Cooked Brown Rice. Slow-release carbs for steady energy — especially handy if you’re training or chasing kids around.
Reduced-Fat Cheddar. Just enough cheesy goodness to make it feel indulgent while keeping fats sensible.
Tortilla Wraps. The edible packaging. Go standard or wholemeal depending on preference.
Fresh Lime & Coriander. Brightness and freshness to cut through the richness.
How To Make a Chicken Burrito
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and slightly translucent. This is where the flavour base starts — don’t rush it.
Stir in the sliced red pepper, garlic, chipotle paste, cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, oregano and optional chilli powder. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the spices coat everything evenly. This is your burrito personality forming.
Add the diced chicken breast, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked and lightly golden. Stir regularly so the chicken picks up all that smoky spice mix. No pale chicken allowed.
Add the cooked brown rice and drained black beans to the pan. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through and evenly mixed. Now it actually looks like burrito filling.
Lay a tortilla wrap flat and spoon a generous portion of the chicken mixture down the centre. Top with grated reduced-fat cheddar and fresh coriander. Fold the sides in, roll tightly, and you’ve got yourself a high-protein burrito that would make a takeaway nervous.
Optional: Toast the chicken burrito seam-side down in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes for that golden finish.
Serving & Storage
To Store
Keep assembled burritos wrapped tightly in foil or stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. If meal prepping, store the filling separately from the wraps for best texture.
To Reheat
Microwave for 2–3 minutes until piping hot. If reheating from chilled, loosely wrap in kitchen roll to stop them drying out. For a crisp exterior, finish in a dry frying pan for 1–2 minutes each side.
To Freeze
Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating. For best results, freeze without fresh coriander and lime, and add those after reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple side salad and extra lime.
Add Greek yoghurt instead of sour cream for extra protein.
Pair with homemade guacamole if calories allow.
Or slice in half and serve as a high-protein platter with salsa for sharing.
Variations & Tips
Boost the protein further by adding 100 g fat-free Greek yoghurt inside the wrap instead of sour cream.
Swap chicken breast for turkey breast mince if that’s what you’ve got.
Want a milder chicken burrito for kids? Reduce chipotle and skip chilli powder.
For extra veg, stir through finely chopped courgette or spinach (it’ll disappear into the mix).
Brown the chicken properly before stirring in rice — that caramelisation equals flavour.
Turn it into a burrito bowl and skip the wrap to lower calories slightly.
FAQ
Can I make this with chicken thighs instead?
Yes. Boneless, skinless thighs will work well and stay juicy. Protein will be slightly lower and fat slightly higher, but still a solid high-protein meal.
Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
Absolutely. The filling actually tastes better the next day once the spices settle. Store separately from wraps for best texture.
How can I make this even higher in protein?
Add extra chicken (up to 750 g total), use high-protein wraps if available, and mix fat-free Greek yoghurt into the filling.
Is this suitable for freezing?
Yes — wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly until piping hot.
Scott is the owner and founder of Food For Fitness. He is a fat loss coach, speaker and fitness writer with a masters (MSc) degree in Applied Sports Nutrition.
I'm a Nutritionist and Sunday Times Bestselling recipe book author who makes high-protein recipes for busy families, fitness enthusiasts or people just trying to eat healthier!
I bought the high protein handbook 6 and it has been a great slow cooker recipe book that the whole family has enjoyed. The recipes always come out well with a good consistency for the sauce and taste delicious. I have now purchased the remaining books and can’t wait to try new recipes! Thanks
Scott
At Food For Fitness we help families lose weight the simple way - with high-protein recipes, realistic nutrition advice, and no fads. Find easy meals, expert guidance, and tools that make healthy eating effortless.
Get in touch with us via our contact form or via email info@foodforfitness.co.uk for more information about Food For Fitness and how to get started with a nutrition plan designed for your lifestyle.
