All Chipotle Proteins - Full Comparison
| Protein | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sodium | Cal/g protein | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofritas | 150 | 8g | 9g | 10g | 480mg | 18.8 | Only vegan protein option |
| Steak | 150 | 21g | 1g | 7g | 320mg | 7.1 | Lowest calorie option |
| Carnitas | 210 | 23g | 0g | 12g | 590mg | 9.1 | Zero carbs - best for keto |
| Barbacoa | 170 | 24g | 2g | 7g | 465mg | 7.1 | Best flavour to protein ratio |
| Chicken | 180 | 32g | 1g | 7g | 310mg | 5.6 | Best overall - highest protein to calorie ratio |
| Double Steak | 300 | 42g | 2g | 14g | 640mg | 7.1 | High protein variety option |
| Double Chicken | 360 | 64g | 2g | 14g | 620mg | 5.6 | Maximum protein - 64g in one serving |
Cal/g protein = calories per gram of protein. Lower is better for protein efficiency.
Protein Ranked by Goals
| Goal | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum protein | Double Chicken | 64g protein per serving - more than most protein shakes |
| Best protein/calorie ratio | Chicken | 32g protein for 180 cal = 5.6 cal per gram |
| Lowest calorie | Steak | 150 calories, still 21g protein |
| Keto / zero carb | Carnitas | 0g carbs, 12g fat, 23g protein |
| Vegan | Sofritas | Only plant-based option, 8g protein |
| Flavour | Barbacoa | Most complex flavour, 24g protein |
| Post-workout | Double Chicken | 64g protein, only 2g carbs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken has the best protein-to-calorie ratio at Chipotle with 32 grams of protein for 180 calories - that is 5.6 calories per gram of protein. Barbacoa is close at 7.1 calories per gram. Carnitas is the least efficient at 9.1 calories per gram of protein, though it has zero carbs making it excellent for keto. Double chicken is the absolute highest protein option at 64 grams.
Chicken is better than steak at Chipotle for most goals. Chicken has 32g protein vs 21g for steak, and only 30 more calories (180 vs 150). The calorie-to-protein ratio strongly favors chicken. The only case where steak is better is if you specifically want fewer calories and do not prioritize protein - steak saves 30 calories while still providing 21g of protein.
Carnitas at Chipotle (210 calories, 23g protein, 0g carbs, 12g fat) is nutritious but higher in fat and sodium than chicken. It is the best option for zero-carb or strict keto diets. The 590mg sodium is the highest of all proteins, which is worth noting for people monitoring salt intake. Otherwise carnitas is a perfectly good protein choice.
Sofritas is Chipotle's vegan protein option made from organic braised tofu with peppers, roasted poblano and a blend of spices. It contains 150 calories, 8g protein, 9g carbs and 10g fat per serving. It is the only fully vegan protein option at Chipotle. The protein content (8g) is lower than all meat options, so vegans wanting more protein should also add black beans (8g additional protein) to their bowl.