Quick Answer
An original Pollo Bowl from Chipotle contains approximately 705 calories. This is based on the standard recipe and ingredients for a Pollo Bowl with chicken, rice, beans, salsa, lettuce, and cheese. The exact calorie count may vary slightly depending on portion size and any modifications made to the basic recipe.
Calories in Each Ingredient
A standard Chipotle Pollo Bowl contains the following ingredients and calorie amounts:
| Ingredient | Calories |
| Chicken | 210 |
| Rice | 220 |
| Black Beans | 120 |
| Tomato Salsa | 20 |
| Lettuce | 5 |
| Cheese | 110 |
| Sour Cream | 20 |
By adding up the calories from each ingredient, the total calories come to around 705 for a standard Pollo Bowl.
Serving Size Matters
The exact calorie count can vary depending on the serving sizes of each ingredient. For example, if you get extra rice or beans, or double up on the chicken, the calories will increase. Here are some serving size considerations:
– Chicken: A standard serving is around 4oz of grilled chicken. More chicken will add more calories.
– Rice: A regular Pollo Bowl comes with around 3/4 cup of rice. More rice will add more calories from carbs.
– Beans: The standard is around 1/2 cup of black beans. More beans means more calories.
– Salsa: Around 2-4 oz is standard. Extra salsa doesn’t add too many more calories.
– Lettuce: Around 1/4lb or 1 cup of lettuce is standard. Extra lettuce is very low calorie.
– Cheese: Around 1-2oz of shredded cheese is standard. More cheese adds more calories.
– Sour cream: Around 1-2oz. Extra sour cream adds more fat and calories.
So in summary, going bigger on ingredients like chicken, rice, beans, and cheese will increase the calorie count, while extra salsa and lettuce won’t impact it as much.
How Protein Style Lowers Calories
Ordering your Pollo Bowl “protein style” is a way to reduce calories. This means replacing the tortilla shell with a lettuce wrap. Here’s how it reduces calories:
– Regular tortilla shell: Around 300 calories
– Lettuce wrap: Around 10 calories
So by switching to lettuce wrap, you eliminate about 290 calories from the bowl. The lettuce itself is very low calorie, mostly water and fiber.
Making Other Modifications
Some other ways to reduce the calories in a Pollo Bowl include:
– Cutting the rice and beans in half – saves around 150 calories
– Skipping the cheese – saves around 110 calories
– Opting for salsa instead of sour cream – saves around 20 calories
– Choosing a lower calorie protein like carnitas or barbacoa instead of chicken
On the flip side, adding extras like guacamole, chips, or queso will increase the calorie count. Portion control is key for a lower calorie Pollo Bowl.
Nutrition Information
Here is the full nutrition information for an original Pollo Bowl from Chipotle’s website:
| Calories | 705 |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 55mg |
| Sodium | 830mg |
| Carbohydrates | 92g |
| Fiber | 11g |
| Sugars | 5g |
| Protein | 37g |
As you can see, while the Pollo Bowl is high in calories, it also provides a good amount of protein and fiber. The sodium is a little high, so those watching their salt intake may want to be mindful.
Pollo Bowl vs. Other Chipotle Orders
How does the Pollo Bowl compare to some other popular orders from Chipotle?
– Chicken burrito with rice, beans, etc. – around 1,000 calories
– Carnitas burrito bowl – around 850 calories
– Chicken salad with salsa – around 275 calories
– Vegetarian burrito with rice and beans – around 700 calories
In general, burritos tend to be higher in calories than burrito bowls. Protein choices like chicken and carnitas are a bit lower cal than steak or barbacoa. Going veggie or with a salad drastically reduces calories compared to rice/bean entrees.
Low Calorie Pollo Bowl Options
If you’re looking for ways to lighten up your Pollo Bowl, here are some suggestions:
– Skip the tortilla chips and opt for a salad instead – saves around 140 calories
– Choose brown rice instead of white – saves around 30 calories
– Grilled chicken instead of chicken with sauce – saves around 50 calories
– Double up on veggies like lettuce, salsa, and corn salsa
– Ask for half portions of rice and beans – saves around 150 calories
– Sub in fajita veggies instead of meat – saves around 100 calories
– Skip the sour cream and cheese toppings
Following some of these modifications can help reduce the calorie count substantially, while still letting you enjoy the flavors of a Pollo Bowl.
Should You Eat the Whole Bowl?
Chipotle portions are quite large, so being able to finish an entire Pollo Bowl is an accomplishment. But should you eat the whole thing in one sitting? Here are some factors to consider:
– Your personal daily calorie needs – 700+ calories is a hefty meal
– Your hunger/fullness levels – stop eating when you feel satisfied
– Saving leftovers – portion out half for another meal
– Nutrition timing – eating the bowl for lunch provides energy for the day
– Ingredients – chicken, rice, and beans keep you full longer
– Activity level – active people may need more calories
Eating the entire bowl at once may lead to excess calorie intake if your needs are lower. But splitting the bowl into two meals or sharing can be a healthier option. Listen to your body’s signals of fullness as you eat.
Tips for Burning off the Calories
Here are some estimates for how much exercise it would take to burn off the 700+ calories in a Pollo Bowl:
| Activity | Calories Burned* |
| 30 minutes jogging (6mph) | 372 calories |
| 60 minutes walking (3.5mph) | 280 calories |
| 45 minutes cycling (10mph) | 613 calories |
| 60 minutes yoga | 300 calories |
| 45 minutes swimming laps | 455 calories |
| 60 minutes weightlifting | 211 calories |
*For 155lb individual; calories can vary based on weight
As you can see, doing vigorous exercise for 30-60 minutes can burn a significant portion of the Pollo Bowl calories. Activities like running, cycling, swimming are great options. But lighter exercise like walking and yoga also contribute.
The key is staying active most days of the week to balance out higher calorie meals. Mixing cardio, strength training, flexibility, and aerobic activities provides the best calorie burn.
Should You Avoid Pollo Bowls When Dieting?
Pollo Bowls can certainly be part of a healthy diet, but they may need some modifications if you are counting calories for weight loss. Here are some diet tips:
– Estimate your daily calorie needs for weight loss – a 500 calorie deficit is commonly recommended
– Look for swaps to reduce calories – no chips, salad instead of rice, skip cheese, etc.
– Pay attention to portion sizes – ask for half rice, split the bowl, use smaller containers
– Balance out the meal – add extra veggies, some avocado, a side salad
– Avoid extras like chips, queso, and sugary drinks – these drive up calories
– Practice mindful eating – listen to hunger/fullness signals to avoid overeating
– Supplement with exercise – light activity every day helps burn extra calories
– Allow yourself a full Pollo Bowl as a occasional treat in your diet
With some simple tweaks and balanced meals, you can still enjoy Pollo Bowls reasonably often while losing weight. Moderation and variety are key principles.
Healthier Homemade Version
To lighten up your Pollo Bowl at home, try this easy recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4oz grilled chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup brown rice
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1 cup mixed greens
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
Instructions:
- Cook brown rice according to package directions
- Rinse and drain black beans
- Assemble all ingredients in a bowl
- Top with salsa, avocado, and any other desired toppings
This homemade version contains around 500 calories, has more fiber and nutrients, and less sodium and saturated fat than a traditional Pollo Bowl. Feel free to mix up the proteins, swap in quinoa or farro, add corn, and customize to your taste!
Conclusion
An original Pollo Bowl from Chipotle contains around 705 calories, but the count can vary based on exact portions and modifications to the standard recipe. There are many ways to adjust the bowl to make it lower in calories, from going “protein style” to skipping high calorie toppings. While the bowl is high in calories, the mix of protein, fiber, and nutrients make it reasonably healthy. With some mindfulness about portions and ingredients, Pollo Bowls can absolutely be part of a balanced diet.
