Chicken Burritos

Crispy flour tortillas filled with shredded honey lime chicken, cilantro lime rice, pinto beans and melted cheese. Then topped with a creamy salsa verde sauce.

Baked Chicken Burritos

These burritos are on the menu tonight, so I thought I’d share them with you. They taste like a mix between a bean burrito, taquito and enchilada. But they aren’t deep fried, so they are a bit lighter and healthier.

Whenever I think of classic Mexican dishes, chicken burritos are one of the first things that come to mind. And instead of only enjoying them at your favorite Mexican restaurant, you can easily make them at home too. This recipe isn’t your average “throw-everything-in-a-tortilla” and call it a burrito. They’re filled with purposeful flavors and textures that make them next level delicious.

These baked chicken burritos have everything you love about Mexican food…a soft flour tortilla, seasoned shredded chicken, cilantro lime rice, pinto beans and lots of gooey melted cheese. Not to mention a creamy salsa verde sauce on top. Instead of rolling them up and serving immediately, they’re baked in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. This easy extra step creates a crispy tortilla and a nice and bubbly cheesy top. It takes the burritos from ordinary to extraordinary!

Best Way to Fold a Burrito

There really is an art to folding the perfect burrito. You want to add just enough filling so that it’s hearty and delicious. However you don’t want to overfill the burrito or else the tortilla may break or the filling may fall out. Then roll up the sides tightly so that everything stays intact.

When folding a burrito, keep the following in mind:

• Spoon the filling in the center of the burrito (lengthwise). You don’t want the filling to go all the way to the edges and there should be some empty space on each side.
• Start with rice first, then add a scoop of beans, then the meat on top. I like to add about 1/4 cup rice and chicken. Using a measuring cup is helpful so that you don’t get heavy handed. :) Then sprinkle on any extra small toppings like shredded cheese.
• Lastly, fold up both ends of the tortilla and tightly roll the burrito so that it holds it’s shape. If you’re baking the burritos in the oven, make sure to place them seam side down.

Tips + Variations

• Warm tortillas before filling. To make the tortillas more pliable when folding, it helps to warm the tortillas up in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. They’re more stretchy when they’re warm and won’t break as easy.
• Shortcuts. If you’re short on time, use rotisserie chicken instead of making your own shredded chicken. Or use microwave white rice instead of preparing homemade cilantro lime rice.
• Substitutions. Use gluten free or whole wheat tortillas instead of flour. If you want to use corn, I would recommend just filling them like a taco. You can also substitute the pinto beans with black beans or even Mexican refried beans.
• Spice: If you like heat, mix in extra chili powder or use a hot salsa verde.
• Sauce. The sauce adds another layer of flavor and keeps the tortilla from getting overly crispy. You can use half and half instead of heavy cream, or omit the cream all together and just add plain salsa verde on top. You can also make this recipe without any sauce, similar to a chicken taquito.

Favorite Toppings

As soon as you take the burritos out of the oven, the flavor party doesn’t have to end there. Pile them high with more of your favorite toppings. Below are some delicious ideas to choose from.

• Pico de gallo
• Sliced avocado or guacamole
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced olives
• An extra squeeze of lime
• Sour cream

Freezing + Reheating

Another perk about this dish is that it makes a great freezer meal. You can easily double the recipe and freeze half for an easy lunch or dinner. Follow the easy instructions below to get started.

1. Fill and fold the burrito as directed. Do not add the cheese and sauce on top.
2. Instead of baking, individually wrap each burrito tightly in foil or plastic wrap.
3. Store in a freezer container or bag.
4. When ready to enjoy, place in the fridge to thaw overnight.
5. Then bake as directed in the instructions below.

This recipe was adapted from my friend Carrian at Oh Sweet Basil new book Raised In The Kitchen. Her book just published and there are so many delicious recipes I’m dying to try. The book is full of easy recipes like this one. Make sure to check it out!

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