The Best Chips and Sides at Chipotle: Calories, Dips, and Prices
You know the exact feeling. You are standing in that long line. You watch the workers scoop the rice, pile on the beans, and wrap your massive burrito in that shiny silver foil. Your mouth is watering. But then, right at the very end, the cashier asks the most important question of the day.
“Any chips or drinks with that?”
Yes. Always yes. Because let’s be totally honest here. The burrito is amazing, but the chips and sides are the real stars of the show. You just cannot have a proper meal without that salty, lime-flavored crunch. If you are watching your calorie intake while enjoying your chips and queso, use the main Chipotle nutrition calculator to track your entire meal.
If you are obsessed with finding the perfect snack to go with your bowl or tacos, you have landed in the perfect spot. Today, we are talking all about the magic of the side menu. We will break down every single dip, talk about how the chips are made, and share some totally awesome menu hacks. Grab a snack, get comfortable, and let’s dive right into the crunchy, cheesy goodness.
Why We Are Totally Obsessed With These Chips
Walk into the restaurant. Take a deep breath. You can smell them right away. A large order of chips pairs perfectly with a customized entree, so check the burrito bowl nutrition calculator to balance out your macros.
These are not your average, boring tortilla chips from a plastic bag at the grocery store. Not even close. There is a very specific reason why people go crazy for them.
Made Fresh Every Single Morning
They do not come out of a factory box. The workers actually fry the chips fresh in the kitchen every single day. They start with thick, high-quality corn tortillas. They drop them into hot sunflower oil. And they do not just fry them and forget them.
As soon as those hot chips come out of the oil, the magic happens. A worker squeezes real, fresh lime juice right over the top. Then, they toss them in a giant bowl with generous amounts of kosher salt. This creates that perfect, tangy, salty bite that makes your lips pucker just a little bit.
The Perfect Crunch Factor
If a chip breaks as soon as you dip it, it is a bad chip. Nobody likes fishing a broken piece of tortilla out of their guacamole.
The chips and sides here are built totally differently. The chips are thick. They have a serious crunch. They are built like little edible shovels, ready to handle the thickest, heaviest dips without snapping in half. And because they are hand-tossed, every single bag is a little bit different. Sometimes you get a chip that is absolutely covered in lime and salt. Finding one of those is basically like winning the lottery.
Breaking Down the Best Chips and Sides Options
Okay, you bought the bag of chips. Now, what are you dipping them into? The menu has a few different options, and they all hit different cravings. Let’s look closely at your choices. Even the smaller sides of kid-sized chips included in a Chipotle kids’ meal pack a satisfying crunch for younger appetites.
Chips and Guacamole: The Green Legend
This is the king of the chips and sides menu. Period. People literally buy shirts that say “I know the guac is extra.”
The guacamole here is famous for a reason. They don’t use weird fillers or fake green food coloring. It is just real, whole ingredients. They use perfectly ripe Hass avocados, diced red onions, fresh cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice, and salt. That is it.
They mash it by hand every day. It is thick, creamy, and super rich. When you scoop a massive pile of this green gold onto a salty, lime-covered chip, it is the perfect bite. It costs a few extra bucks, but pretty much everyone agrees that it is totally worth it.
Chips and Queso Blanco: The Cheesy Dream
For a long time, people begged the restaurant to add cheese dip to the menu. When they finally did, it was a massive hit.
The Queso Blanco is warm, smooth, and perfectly melty. But it isn’t like that fake, plastic-tasting yellow cheese you get at a movie theater. This is real food. It is made with aged Monterey Jack cheese, white cheddar, and a mix of spicy poblano, serrano, and chipotle peppers.
It has a really nice kick to it, but it won’t burn your mouth. It is warm and comforting. Dipping a cold, salty chip into that hot, spicy cheese is one of the best feelings in the world.
Chips and Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa: The Sweet Surprise
This is the secret favorite. A lot of people ignore the corn salsa, and they are making a huge mistake.
This salsa is packed with sweet white corn, red onion, jalapenos, and cilantro. It is sweet, but it also has a little bit of a spicy bite at the end. Scooping up those little sweet corn kernels with a salty chip is an amazing flavor combination. It is crunchy on crunchy.
Chips and Tomatillo Salsas: The Hot Stuff
Want to sweat a little bit? You need the blended salsas. You have two choices here.
The Tomatillo Green-Chili Salsa is medium heat. It has a tangy, smoky flavor. It is really zesty.
Then, there is the Tomatillo Red-Chili Salsa. This is the hot one. It is deep red, smoky, and definitely packs a punch. If you love spicy food, grabbing a side of the red salsa is the way to go. Just make sure you have a giant cup of water nearby. You are going to need it.
Chips and Fresh Tomato Salsa: The Mild Choice
If you don’t want to spend extra money on guac or cheese, the salsa sides are a fantastic, cheaper option. The fresh tomato salsa is basically what most people call pico de gallo.
It is super mild. No burning your tongue here. It is just chopped up tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and lime juice. It is incredibly fresh and light. If you are eating a really heavy, massive burrito filled with sour cream and cheese, this light salsa is the perfect side to balance out your meal.
Smart Menu Hacks for Your Chips and Sides
Want to look like a total pro the next time you walk up to the counter? Stop ordering like a rookie. Try these awesome menu hacks to level up your snack game.
Build Your Own Nachos
The restaurant doesn’t actually sell a plate of nachos. But you can build them yourself! Order a bowl. Ask them to put your choice of meat, beans, cheese, and salsa inside. Then, grab a bag of chips. Take them to your table, open the bag, and dump the chips onto a plate. Pour your bowl right over the top. Boom. Instant custom nachos.
The Vinaigrette Dip
Here is a massive secret. Ask the worker for a small plastic cup of the honey vinaigrette dressing. They usually give it out for salads, but it is free if you just ask nicely. Dip your chips into the sweet and sour dressing. It sounds weird, but it will totally change your life.
The Half and Half Trick
Can’t decide between two salsas? Just ask for half and half! They will gladly give you a little plastic cup with green salsa on one side and corn salsa on the other. You get to try more flavors without spending extra cash. If you prefer dipping a crispy shell into your fresh salsa instead of regular chips, the tacos nutrition calculator can help you weigh the nutritional differences.
Order the Kids Meal Side
If you are not super hungry and just want a tiny snack, order a kids meal. It comes with a super cute, tiny bag of chips that is perfect for a quick crunch without eating a massive amount of food. Crushing up some fresh chips over your greens adds incredible texture, which you can easily track using the salad nutrition calculator.
Nutrition Facts: What Are You Actually Eating?
We all know chips aren’t exactly broccoli. They are a treat. But if you are keeping track of your health, it is good to know what is inside the bag.
Understanding the nutrition behind your chips and sides helps you make smarter choices.
The Regular Bag vs. The Large Bag
Did you know there are two different sizes?
A regular bag of chips has about 540 calories. It is meant for one person, but honestly, it is big enough to share with a friend.
The large bag of chips has over 800 calories. It is massive. If you are taking food home for the whole family, grab the large. But if you are just eating lunch by yourself, stick to the regular size so you don’t overdo it.
Quick Nutrition Breakdown
Here is a fast look at what you are getting when you order the popular dips:
- Guacamole (Regular side): About 230 calories. It has lots of “good” healthy fats from the avocados, plus plenty of fiber to keep you full.
- Queso Blanco (Regular side): About 120 calories. It has a decent amount of protein from the cheese, but it is higher in saturated fat.
- Fresh Tomato Salsa: Only 25 calories! If you want to keep your meal light and healthy, this is the absolute best side to pick. It is basically just fresh vegetables.
- Sodium Warning: Just remember, the chips are covered in salt, and the dips have salt too. If you need to watch your sodium for health rea
- sons, you might want to eat just half the bag.
When pairing your favorite side of guacamole with a cheesy main dish, the quesadilla nutrition calculator ensures you know exactly how many calories are in your feast.
How to Store Your Leftover Chips
It happens to the best of us. You buy the chips, you eat your giant bowl, and suddenly you are completely stuffed. You have half a bag of chips left. Do not throw them away!
Leftover chips are precious. But if you just leave the brown paper bag sitting on the kitchen counter, it will get stale and chewy by tomorrow morning.
If you want to save them, put them inside a plastic ziplock bag. Squeeze all the air out before you zip it shut. This keeps the moisture away. When you want to eat them the next day, put them on a plate and microwave them for exactly ten seconds. The heat wakes up the oil and makes it taste like it was just fried all over again.
Frequent visitors should definitely sign up for Chipotle rewards to earn enough points for free chips and your choice of dip on your next visit.
Conclusion
When you break it all down, the chips and sides menu is seriously impressive. It takes a normal fast-food meal and turns it into a total feast.
They don’t cut corners. Frying the tortillas fresh every morning, squeezing real limes, and hand-mashing the avocados makes a massive difference you can actually taste. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the creamy green guacamole, you love the spicy kick of the warm Queso Blanco, or you just want a light dip in some fresh tomato salsa, there is something for everyone.
So next time you are standing at the register and they ask you if you want anything else, you know exactly what to do. Treat yourself. Grab that greasy brown paper bag. Pop open a side of your favorite dip. You definitely will not regret it. Happy snacking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the chips gluten-free?
Yes! The chips are made completely out of corn masa, water, lime, and sunflower oil. There is no wheat in them. However, they are fried in a kitchen where other ingredients are handled, so if you have a super severe allergy, you should always be careful.
Why are my chips sometimes way too salty?
Because humans make them! The workers toss the chips by hand in giant metal bowls. Sometimes, a worker gets a little too heavy-handed with the salt shaker. If your chips are completely covered in salt and you can’t eat them, just take the bag back to the counter. They will happily trade it for a fresh bag.
Can I buy a side of guacamole without buying the chips?
Absolutely. You can order a side of anything on the menu. A lot of people buy a side of guac just to eat it with a fork or to take it home and put it on their own toast the next morning.
Are the chips vegan?
Yes, they are 100% vegan. They are fried in plant-based sunflower oil, not animal fat. Paired with the guacamole or any of the salsas, it is the perfect vegan snack.
Does the Queso Blanco have artificial colors?
No way. That is why it is white, not bright neon orange. The company has a strict rule against using fake, artificial colors or flavors in any of their food.
