Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito Recipe

The shredded chicken burrito was a much-loved offering at the popular Taco Bell restaurant chain.

However, much to the dismay of patrons, in November 2020 they revamped their menu and removed all shredded chicken options from the list.

This meant we had to say goodbye to the classic Chicken Burrito which left diners wanting another solution to get their hands on that famed classic.

Luckily, we have a perfect Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito recipe that you can easily follow yourself and make at home.

So now you can enjoy this delicious classic anytime you want!

How to make Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito

In true Taco Bell style, we have a whole host of delicious seasonings and spices that will give your burrito that signature kick.

We’ll break down how to make the entire meal including Taco Bell’s coveted avocado dressing.

Ingredients:

(for 6 servings)

• 1 1/2 lbs of boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 2 8oz cans of tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons of white vinegar
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 4 teaspoons of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• Salt
• Pepper

For cilantro lime rice:

• 1/2 tablespoon of butter
• 1 cup of long-grain white rice
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin

For avocado ranch dressing:

• 1/8 cup of ranch dressing
• 1/8 cup of buttermilk
• 1/2 an avocado
• 2 pinches of salt
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream

Other:

• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 x 10-inch flour tortillas

Instructions:

Don’t be intimidated by the large number of ingredients, it’s surprisingly easy to cook and we’ll take you through it step by step.

Remember to check below for substitutions as there’s a lot of room here to get playful with the ingredients if for any reason you don’t have a particular one.

For the sake of the heritage of Taco Bell, we’ll show you exactly how they make theirs.

Step 1:

First, we’re going to start with the Avocado ranch dressing.

Using a blender combine the avocado, ranch dressing, buttermilk, salt, and sour cream.

Step 2:

Blend all these ingredients together until everything is mixed thoroughly and looks smooth.

Step 3:

Pour this into a small bowl, cover it and store it in the refrigerator until we need it later.

Step 4:

Next, we will cook the chicken. Start by heating oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken breasts for 3 minutes. Then flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Step 5:

Add the tomato sauce to the chicken and continue cooking until the liquid is boiling.

Once boiling turn the heat down a bit so it can simmer and place the lid on.

Continue cooking until the chicken is completely cooked through (this could take up to 20 minutes).

Step 6:

Next, we’ll prepare the rice.

In a clean saucepan melt the butter and add the rice. Keep stirring and cook everything for a couple of minutes.

Step 7:

To this mixture, we then add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, lime zest and juice, cilantro, and cumin.

Stir the mixture thoroughly and bring to a boil.

Step 8:

Once boiling, once again take the heat down to low so it simmers, cover, and allow to cook for 15-16 minutes.

After the rice is cooked you can remove it from the heat, but keep the pan covered and let the rice sit for a further 10 minutes.

Step 9:

Now let’s put everything together, start by warming the tortillas in the microwave, 20-30 seconds should be enough.

Step 10:

Remove the ranch dressing from the fridge and draw a thin line of dressing down the center of the tortilla.

On top of this add the rice and chicken as desired, and then sprinkle some shredded cheese over the top.

Step 11:

Roll the burrito up, and repeat steps 10 and 11 until you’ve used up all the ingredients. Enjoy!

Ingredient substitutions

With so many ingredients being used you can essentially substitute any of the spices to customize your burritos flavor to your preference.

But let’s go over some of the more important ingredient substitutions for those looking for meat or dairy-free alternatives.

1. Firm Tofu

Firm tofu is well known for being probably the best chicken substitute around, it contains a lot of protein making it a great nutritional meat-free alternative.

You can fry it in the same way and its texture will come out remarkably similar to that of the chicken.

And because there are so many spices used in this recipe, the taste will be almost indistinguishable.

2. Cauliflower rice

For those who are a little more health-conscious and are looking to keep their carbohydrate intake low, cauliflower rice makes the perfect substitute for white rice.

Not only is it lower in carbs, but it also has numerous other health benefits including additional minerals and antioxidants.

Combined with all the seasons we’re using in this dish, you probably won’t taste the difference.

What to serve with Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito

Burritos make a fantastic centerpiece for your meal, but there’s still plenty of space for fun and exciting sides to serve it with that can help round off and enhance the dish.

Grilled Sweetcorn

This is a very common snack to serve with tacos in Mexico.

It’s a popular street food that gets grilled and served with a plethora of seasonings, among which some kind of spicy chili powder is commonly used!

Chips and Salsa

The burritos are already stuffed with both rice and chicken, sometimes you don’t need anything big or bulky to go along with it.

This is where chips and salsa come in, it’s a light side that you can snack on even if you’re already full from the burrito.

Allowing you to enjoy both the crunch and the tangy salsa alongside your burrito for the ultimate experience.

How to reheat Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito

Luckily, burritos store quite well, and when the time comes to reheat them, as all the ingredients are already cooked, it’s simply a case of ensuring the whole thing is warmed through.

How to reheat Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito in a pot

Heat up the skillet using medium heat.

Once it’s up to temperature place the burrito down and cover using a lid.

Let it warm up for 2-3 minutes and then flip the burrito over.

Keep it heating for a further 2 minutes and it should be nice and warm all the way through.

How to reheat Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito in a microwave

This is about as easy as it gets, simply place the burrito in the microwave and heat for about 60 seconds, then stop the microwave and turn the burrito over.

Heat for another 60 seconds and it should be warmed adequately.

How to reheat Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito in the oven

Pre-heat the oven to about 250°F, ensure there’s no wrapping or foil on the burrito and cook it for about 30-45 minutes.

Or if you are happy with its level of hotness you can remove it earlier than that.

How to reheat Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito in an air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 325°F, if you want you can lightly spray the burrito with oil to stop it from drying out.

Place it in the cooking basket and air fry for about 5 minutes, no need to turn it over as it should already be nice, hot, and crispy.

How to store Taco Bell Shredded Chicken Burrito

To ensure we get the most value from the taste and texture of the ingredients, the key here is to ensure we’re wrapping it tightly and exposing it to as little air as possible.

If for any reason you need to store them for a long time we recommend freezing.

Store in the fridge

Ensure the burrito is first cooled to room temperature, then wrap it in either tin foil, cling wrap, or a resealable bag.

Try to press out as much air as possible and it should keep for 4-5 days without issue!

Store in the freezer

Here it’s best to use a freezer bag, once again ensuring you press out as much air as possible before freezing.

Once frozen the burrito can be reheated to the same perfect deliciousness again within 2-3 weeks.