These Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos are a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of tender chicken, a zesty salsa, and a creamy, cheesy green chile sauce. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Why You’ll Love These Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos
- Flavorful and Satisfying: These burritos are packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of tender chicken, zesty salsa, and a creamy, cheesy green chile sauce.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile: You can easily customize these burritos with your favorite toppings, like sour cream, guacamole, or shredded lettuce.
- Freezer-Friendly: You can assemble these burritos ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and easy meal later on.
Ingredients for Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos
Chicken Filling:
- Cooked Chicken: I use chopped or shredded cooked chicken for this recipe, but you can also use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.
- Salsa: Use your favorite kind of salsa for this recipe.
- Ground Cumin and Dried Oregano: These spices add a warm, earthy flavor to the filling.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a cheesy, gooey goodness to the filling.
- Green Onions: Adds a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Flour Tortillas: I prefer to use uncooked flour tortillas and quickly cook them myself, but regular flour tortillas work as well.
- Olive Oil: For brushing on the burritos before baking.
Green Chile Sauce:
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: This helps to thicken the sauce.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor.
- Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium chicken broth for the base of the sauce.
- Cumin and Dried Oregano: These spices add warmth and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the sauce to taste.
- Diced Green Chilies: I use mild diced green chilies, but you can use medium or hot if you prefer a spicier sauce.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a cheesy, gooey goodness to the sauce.
- Sour Cream: Adds a creamy and tangy element to the sauce.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Kick: Add more diced green chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra heat.
- Veggie Power: Add some sauteed bell peppers or onions to the chicken filling.
- Different Cheeses: Try using different types of cheese, like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a blend of cheeses.
- Beans: Add some cooked black beans or pinto beans to the chicken filling for extra protein and fiber.
How to Make Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos
Step 1: Preheat and Make the Filling
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese, and green onions.
Step 2: Assemble the Burritos
Place a heaping 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla. Fold the sides of the tortilla in and roll up tightly like a burrito. Place the burritos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3: Bake the Burritos
Bake the burritos in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 4: Make the Green Chile Sauce
While the burritos are baking, prepare the sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth. Add the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the green chilies, cheese, and sour cream. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Step 5: Broil and Serve
Remove the burritos from the oven and turn the oven to broil. Ladle a spoonful of the green chile sauce over each burrito and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks
- Tortilla Choice: I prefer to use uncooked flour tortillas and quickly cook them myself, but regular flour tortillas work as well.
- Even Cooking: Make sure the burritos are spaced evenly on the baking sheet so they cook evenly.
- Broiling: Keep a close eye on the burritos while they’re broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
How to Serve
These Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos are delicious with:
- Mexican Rice: A classic pairing!
- Refried Beans: Another great side dish option.
- Guacamole and Sour Cream: Add a dollop of guacamole and sour cream to each burrito for extra flavor and creaminess.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can make the chicken filling and green chile sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the assembled burritos (unbaked) for up to 2 months.
- Storing: Store leftover burritos in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Yes, you can use corn tortillas, but they may be a bit more fragile and prone to breaking.
Can I make these burritos vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and use a vegetarian meat substitute, such as black beans or lentils.
How can I reheat the burritos?
You can reheat the burritos in the oven at a low temperature or in the microwave until warmed through.
There you have it! A delicious and easy recipe for Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintSmothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 burritos 1x
- Category: main dishes
- Method: baking and broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Description
These Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos are a delicious and satisfying meal. They’re filled with a flavorful chicken mixture, baked until crispy, and then smothered in a creamy green chile sauce and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Chicken Filling:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 1/2 cups salsa, your favorite kind
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Olive oil, for brushing on burritos
Green Chile Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 ounces diced green chilies, mild
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Make filling: In a bowl, combine chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese, and green onions.
- Fill tortillas: Place filling in the center of each tortilla. Fold sides in and roll up tightly. Place seam-down on the baking sheet. Brush with olive oil.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Make sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in green chilies, cheese, and sour cream.
- Broil: Turn oven to broil. Ladle sauce over each burrito and top with cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Serve: Serve with Mexican rice, if desired.
Notes
- You can use uncooked or regular flour tortillas.
- The chicken filling and green chile sauce can be made ahead of time.
- To freeze, assemble burritos and freeze the sauce separately. Bake from frozen and reheat sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 580kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
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