Easy-30-Minute Chicken Chimichanga Recipe

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Easy 30-Minute Chicken Chimichanga Recipe - baked chicken chimichangas are the ultimate in Tex Mex comfort food. They’re made with a flavorful cheesy, saucy, chicken filling stuffed in a tortilla wrapped that gets baked until the shell is golden and crispy!

This baked chicken chimichanga recipe isn’t deep fried like traditional chimichangas so they’re much lighter and less greasy without the mess to clean up after!

They come together so easily and I love making them for something a little different than our usual tacos and burritos on Mexican-themed dinner nights. It’s a great way to use up the leftover chicken when I have it, and when I want different flavors I just use a different filling! It’s super simple.

I love that when they’re baked the shells hold together so my kids can enjoy it as a handheld dinner or take it on the go when we’re headed out the door. These crave-worthy chimichangas are becoming a family favorite around here and I just know you are going to love this crispy cheesy flavorful recipe too!

When you make Easy Chicken Chimichanga Recipe for lunch or dinner, tag us @munchkintimeblog we would LOVE to see your creation!

Easy 30-Minute Chicken Chimichanga Recipe

What is a Chimichanga?

It’s basically a fried burrito! It’s stuffed like a burrito with things like meat, cheese, beans, and perhaps a sauce or some seasoning and then it’s usually deep-fried. In our case, we are skipping the deep frying but baking it instead getting the same delicious results.

To make Chicken Chimichangas you will need:

Chicken breast - Use boneless and skinless chicken breast. You can cook it and shred it as part of this recipe or use leftover rotisserie chicken.
Cheese - Monterrey Jack is my favorite to use in many Tex Mex recipes, but you can use whatever cheese you like. Sharp cheddar is also great!
Mild green chiles - I use mild so my kids can eat them and enjoy them, but if you and your family like a little heat you can use hotter chiles if you prefer.
Cumin - A warm, earthy spice that gives the filling another layer of flavor.
Mexican white sauce - A thick, creamy, homemade sauce made from a delicious blend of sour cream, cream cheese, chiles, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. It is perfection!
Flour tortillas - I use 6, but if you can easily double or half the recipe if needed, depending on how many people you’re feeding.
Butter - Brushing the tortillas with melted butter before baking helps turn them golden brown on top.
Salsa - For serving! Along with any other favorites like extra Mexican white sauce, extra cheese, guacamole, sour cream, you name it!

Chimichanga filling ingredients inside a mixing bowl.

How to make Chimichangas:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grab a large saucepan and fill it halfway with water and place over medium heat to bring to a boil.

Step 2: Add the chicken breast and cook through until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Drain the water and let it cool.

Step 3: Transfer the chicken breasts to a bowl and shred the chicken using two forks. Pull chicken pieces apart until it is all shredded and in small pieces.

Step 4: Soften the tortillas a bit by placing them on the stovetop for a few seconds. This will help them become a little more flexible so they don’t break when rolled up.

Chimichangas filling inside the bowl ready to be used.

Step 5: In the bowl with the shredded chicken, add the cumin, cheese, chiles, Mexican white sauce, salt, and pepper, and give everything a good mix.

Chimichanga filling scoop on a tortilla.

Step 6: Lay the tortillas flat and add a ½ cup of the chicken mixture onto the center of each one. Fold the ends up and then fold over the two sides to create an envelope to cover the filling. Roll them over to place the seam side down onto a prepared baking sheet or baking dish.

Step 7: Brush each chimichanga with butter and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

How to Serve Chimichangas

Baked chimichangas are definitely filling and satisfying all on their own. Sometimes all you need is a cabbage salad or a bed of rice and you’ve got a meal fit for even the hungriest crowd!

Some of our favorite toppings to add are:

Extra Mexican white sauce
Extra shredded cheese
Diced tomatoes
Diced avocados
Guacamole
Cilantro-lime crema
Queso fresco
Sour cream

COOKING Tips

Take your tortillas out of the fridge (if that’s where you keep them) early enough so that they are at least room temperature, to begin with.
To keep them warm and pliable, you can stack them, microwave them, then place a lightly damp paper towel on top of them to keep them soft.
Grate your cheese fresh from a block. It tastes better and melts better because it doesn’t come with the anti-clumping agents that come in a pre-shredded package.
Switch the chicken to the leftover turkey. These make a great day-after-thanksgiving dinner idea!

FAQs

How to Store Baked Chimichangas?

Store baked chimichangas in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I Make Chimichangas Ahead?

You can! These are great for meal prepping, freezing, and baking them when you’re ready. Wrap unbaked chimichangas in plastic wrap then add them to a freezer-friendly Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.

When you’re ready to bake them, thaw in the fridge overnight, remove the plastic, and follow the recipe directions as listed.

More Easy Chicken Recipes:

Do you like this 30-Minute Chicken Chimichanga Recipe?

Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

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