Sources: Qdoba Nutrition Facts 2026 (Nov 3, 2026) · Chipotle U.S. Nutrition Facts (March 2025) · Checked: November 6, 2026
How we compared them
We built the same order at both chains from each chain's own ingredient figures, using the closest matching ingredient and each chain's standard portion. The two chains don't use identical portions (Chipotle's meats are 4 oz, Qdoba's 3.5 oz), so we show the portion for every ingredient. Prices aren't compared here, because they vary by location.
The same orders, side by side
| Order | Chain | Cal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken burrito bowl rice, black beans, chicken, tomato salsa, cheese, sour cream | Qdoba | 685 | 39 g | 69 g | 29.5 g | 1,420 mg |
| Chipotle | 765 | 52 g | 69 g | 29.5 g | 1,640 mg | |
| Chicken burrito same fillings in a flour tortilla | Qdoba | 985 | 47 g | 121 g | 36.5 g | 2,180 mg |
| Chipotle | 1,085 | 60 g | 119 g | 38.5 g | 2,240 mg | |
| Steak bowl with guacamole rice, pinto beans, steak, fajita veggies, guacamole | Qdoba | 890 | 34 g | 78 g | 49.5 g | 1,835 mg |
| Chipotle | 740 | 36 g | 75 g | 33.5 g | 1,410 mg | |
| Carnitas bowl with queso brown rice, black beans, carnitas, corn salsa, queso | Qdoba | 515 | 31 g | 69 g | 15 g | 1,565 mg |
| Chipotle | 750 | 43 g | 78 g | 30 g | 1,430 mg | |
| Low-carb chicken salad salad lettuce, chicken, fajita veggies, cheese, sour cream, green salsa (Qdoba salsa verde, Chipotle tomatillo-green chili) | Qdoba | 410 | 29 g | 13 g | 29 g | 995 mg |
| Chipotle | 450 | 42 g | 15 g | 24 g | 955 mg | |
| Chips and guacamole 4 oz chips with 4 oz guacamole | Qdoba | 730 | 9 g | 84 g | 41 g | 600 mg |
| Chipotle | 770 | 9 g | 81 g | 47 g | 760 mg |
- Chicken burrito bowl: fewer calories at Qdoba (80 apart), more protein at Chipotle, less sodium at Qdoba.
- Chicken burrito: fewer calories at Qdoba (100 apart), more protein at Chipotle, less sodium at Qdoba.
- Steak bowl with guacamole: fewer calories at Chipotle (150 apart), more protein at Chipotle, less sodium at Chipotle.
- Carnitas bowl with queso: fewer calories at Qdoba (235 apart), more protein at Chipotle, less sodium at Chipotle.
- Low-carb chicken salad: fewer calories at Qdoba (40 apart), more protein at Chipotle, less sodium at Chipotle.
- Chips and guacamole: fewer calories at Qdoba (40 apart), same protein (9 g), less sodium at Qdoba.
Ingredient by ingredient
| Ingredient | Qdoba | Chipotle | Protein (Q / C) | Sodium (Q / C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burrito tortilla Qdoba: Flour Tortilla (12.5") · Chipotle: Flour Tortilla (burrito) (1 ea) | 300 cal | 320 cal | 8 / 8 g | 760 / 600 mg |
| Cilantro-lime rice Qdoba: Cilantro Lime Rice (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Cilantro-Lime White Rice (4 oz) | 190 cal | 210 cal | 3 / 4 g | 390 / 350 mg |
| Brown rice Qdoba: Seasoned Brown Rice (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice (4 oz) | 170 cal | 210 cal | 4 / 4 g | 250 / 190 mg |
| Black beans Qdoba: Black Beans (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Black Beans (4 oz) | 140 cal | 130 cal | 9 / 8 g | 330 / 210 mg |
| Pinto beans Qdoba: Pinto Beans (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Pinto Beans (4 oz) | 130 cal | 130 cal | 8 / 8 g | 350 / 210 mg |
| Chicken Qdoba: Grilled Adobo Chicken (3.5 oz.) · Chipotle: Chicken (4 oz) | 190 cal | 180 cal | 19 / 32 g | 440 / 310 mg |
| Steak Qdoba: Grilled Steak (3.5 oz.) · Chipotle: Steak (4 oz) | 360 cal | 150 cal | 20 / 21 g | 600 / 330 mg |
| Carnitas Qdoba: Pork Carnitas (3.5 oz.) · Chipotle: Carnitas (4 oz) | 100 cal | 210 cal | 14 / 23 g | 570 / 450 mg |
| Shredded beef (birria / barbacoa) Qdoba: Brisket Birria (3.5 oz) · Chipotle: Barbacoa (4 oz) | 140 cal | 170 cal | 15 / 24 g | 450 / 530 mg |
| Plant-based (Impossible / sofritas) Qdoba: Plant-Based Impossible™ (3.1 oz.) · Chipotle: Sofritas (4 oz) | 170 cal | 150 cal | 13 / 8 g | 350 / 560 mg |
| Fajita veggies Qdoba: Fajita Veggies (2 oz.) · Chipotle: Fajita Vegetables (2 oz) | 40 cal | 20 cal | 1 / 1 g | 115 / 150 mg |
| Pico / fresh tomato salsa Qdoba: Pico de Gallo (1 oz.) · Chipotle: Fresh Tomato Salsa (4 oz) | 5 cal | 25 cal | 0 / 0 g | 70 / 550 mg |
| Corn salsa Qdoba: Chile Corn Salsa (1 oz.) · Chipotle: Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa (4 oz) | 25 cal | 80 cal | 1 / 3 g | 75 / 330 mg |
| Shredded cheese Qdoba: Shredded Cheese (1.0 oz.) · Chipotle: Cheese (1 oz) | 110 cal | 110 cal | 7 / 6 g | 180 / 190 mg |
| Sour cream Qdoba: Sour Cream (1 oz.) · Chipotle: Sour Cream (2 oz) | 50 cal | 110 cal | 1 / 2 g | 10 / 30 mg |
| Queso (entrée portion) Qdoba: Three Cheese Queso (2 oz.) · Chipotle: Queso Blanco (entrée) (2 oz) | 80 cal | 120 cal | 3 / 5 g | 340 / 250 mg |
| Guacamole (4 oz) Qdoba: Hand Crafted Guacamole (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Guacamole (topping/side) (4 oz) | 170 cal | 230 cal | 2 / 2 g | 380 / 370 mg |
| Chips (4 oz) Qdoba: Tortilla Chips (4 oz.) · Chipotle: Chips (regular) (4 oz) | 560 cal | 540 cal | 7 / 7 g | 220 / 390 mg |
Proteins differ the most. Chipotle's chicken packs 32 g of protein into 180 calories, more than any Qdoba protein, while Qdoba's carnitas is lighter than Chipotle's (100 vs 210 calories, smaller portion). Chipotle's steak is leaner than Qdoba's grilled steak (150 vs 360 calories). Rice, beans and cheese are close; Chipotle's sour cream is 110 calories because its portion is 2 oz to Qdoba's 1 oz (50). Portions differ for salsas too: Qdoba lists 1 oz scoops, Chipotle 2–4 oz.
Burritos: the tortilla gap
Qdoba's 12.5" flour tortilla is 300 calories, 52 g carbs and 760 mg sodium. Chipotle's burrito tortilla is 320 calories, 50 g carbs and 600 mg sodium. At either chain, ordering a bowl instead of a burrito is the single biggest cut.
Queso, guacamole and chips
Both chains sell queso and guacamole. Qdoba's Three Cheese Queso is 80 calories for 2 oz and 170 for 4 oz; Chipotle's Queso Blanco is 120 for 2 oz and 240 for 4 oz. A 4 oz guacamole is 170 calories at Qdoba and 230 at Chipotle. Chips are heavy at both: 560 and 540 calories for 4 oz.
Which to pick, by goal
- Most protein: Chipotle, thanks to its larger, leaner chicken portion.
- Lowest calories: close; a lettuce-based bowl is under 500 at either. Qdoba lists its salsas in 1 oz portions (about 5 calories each), while Chipotle lists 2–4 oz portions; Chipotle's fajita veggies are lighter (20 vs 40 calories).
- Low-carb or keto: Qdoba offers ready-made Keto Bowls; at Chipotle you build one yourself.
- Lower sodium: it depends on the order, so check the table; salsas carry a lot of sodium at Chipotle (fresh tomato salsa is 550 mg).
Build your own Qdoba order in the Qdoba nutrition calculator, or see healthy Qdoba orders and Qdoba gluten-free and allergens.
Last checked November 6, 2026. Each chain notes its figures can vary with portion size and preparation. General information, not medical advice. Menu Price HQ isn't affiliated with Qdoba or Chipotle.
Qdoba vs Chipotle FAQ
Is Qdoba or Chipotle healthier?
With the same ingredients at each chain's standard portion, they're close. Our chicken bowl is 685 calories at Qdoba and 765 at Chipotle, mostly because Chipotle's sour cream and salsa portions are larger; Chipotle's has more protein (52 g vs 39 g) because its chicken has more protein per ounce. Qdoba was lower in calories in 5 of our 6 matched orders.
Which has more protein, Qdoba or Chipotle chicken?
Chipotle's chicken has 32 g protein in a 4 oz portion (180 calories). Qdoba's grilled adobo chicken has 19 g in 3.5 oz (190 calories). Per ounce, Chipotle's chicken has more protein.
Which burrito has more calories?
With the same fillings, the Qdoba burrito is 985 calories and the Chipotle burrito 1,085. Qdoba's 12.5" tortilla is 300 calories; Chipotle's burrito tortilla is 320.
Which queso has fewer calories, Qdoba or Chipotle?
For a 2 oz entrée portion, Qdoba's Three Cheese Queso is 80 calories and Chipotle's Queso Blanco 120. For 4 oz, it's 170 and 240.
Which is better for keto, Qdoba or Chipotle?
Both work if you skip rice, beans and tortillas. Qdoba sells online-only Keto Bowls (Brisket Birria 14 g carbs, Chicken 12 g carbs, Steak 15 g carbs); at Chipotle you build a salad or bowl with lettuce, a protein, fajita veggies, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
Where do these numbers come from?
Qdoba's Nutrition Facts 2026 (November 3, 2026) and Chipotle's U.S. Nutrition Facts (March 2025), both from the chains' own websites. Each order total is the sum of those official ingredient figures, using each chain's own portion sizes.