CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS (2024)

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These chicken chimichangas are made using rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese and just a few other simple ingredients that are rolled into a large tortilla and deep fried until golden brown.

Chicken Chimichangas

From was the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Chicken chimichangas have become family favorite of ours recently.

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My house seems to be on a big chimichanga kick since I made them for the first time a few weeks ago.

If you’ve never had a chimichanga before, it’s very similar to a burrito. Chimichangas are just a deep fried.

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The filling is pretty much the same with meat, cheese, beans and rice. Although I didn’t add rice to this recipe but you certainly could.

I love Mexican inspired recipes like this one. All the flavors go together so well and deep frying everything together just takes it to the next level.

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No wonder my family can’t get enough of these things.

I hope you give this recipe a try. I know that if you do, you’ll love it just as much as my family and I do.

Fast. Simple. Delicious.

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It’s 60 no fuss no fail comfort food recipes perfect for busy weekday dinners.

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Chicken chimichangas variations

I love this recipe as it is but here are some variations you may like to experiment with.

  • Beans- Use black or pinto beans if you’d prefer not to use refried.
  • Rice- Add yellow, Mexican or white rice to these chimichangas for a more filling meals.
  • Spice- Use a hot & spicy taco season packet or add jalapeños or diced chilis to add some heat to this dish. You can also swap the cheese out for some spicy pepper jack.
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  • Meat- this recipe calls for shredded chicken but cooked ground beef or pork would be wonderful here, too.
  • Cheese- Any kind of cheese would work for this recipe so choose your favorite. Just be sure to shred it yourself because it will melt much better that way.

Other Mexican inspired recipes

If you like easy Mexican inspired recipes like this one, here are some others that I know you’ll love, too.

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  • White chicken enchiladas
  • Easy taco lasagna
  • Tamale pie
  • Taco Bell Mexican pizza

Can these chicken chimichangas be made in the air fryer?

Yes, these chicken chimichangas can absolutely be made in the air fryer.

Set the temperate to 350° lightly spray them on all sides with cooking spray.

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Then place two at a time, seam side down, into the basket.

Air fry them for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they are golden brown on all sides.

Let them cool slightly before serving.

Chicken chimichangas ingredients

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  • Large flour tortillas
  • Rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • Refried beans
  • Salsa (mild, medium or hot)
  • Monterey Jack & Cheddar cheese (hand shredded)
  • Sour cream
  • Taco seasoning
  • Vegetable oil
  • Toppings of your choice- pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Instructions

First, in a large bowl, add the shredded rotisserie chicken, refried beans, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheeses and taco seasoning.

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Now, mix it all together until it’s evenly combined.

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Next, warm the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds. This will make them easier to roll.

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Then evenly divide the filling mixture into the center of about 6-8 tortillas (about a half a cup into each one).

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Now, top them each with a little more shredded cheese.

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Then, fold the two sides over the chicken mixture and fold the bottom over those sides and roll it up.

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Next, carefully add them (seam side down) into a skillet with hot oil. Work in batches and fry two at a time.

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Now lightly fry them on all sides until they are nice and golden brown.

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Then, quickly drain them on a dish towel or wire rack then transfer them to a serving platter.

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Finally, add whatever toppings of your choice like pico de gallo and sour cream, slice them in half and serve warm. Enjoy!

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Chicken Chimichangas

These chicken chimichangas are made using rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese and just a few other simple ingredients that are rolled into a large tortilla and deep fried until golden brown.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: chicken chimichangas, chimichanga recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 large Rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1 16 oz Refried beans
  • 1/2 c Colby jack cheese, hand shredded
  • 1 c Monterey jack cheese, hand shredded
  • 1/4 c Salsa (mild, medium or hot)
  • 1 1oz packet Taco seasoning
  • 1/4 c Sour cream
  • 6-8 large burrito sized four tortillas
  • Vegetable/ canola oil

Instructions

  • First, in a large bowl, add the shredded rotisserie chicken, refried beans, salsa, sour cream, combined shredded cheeses (keep half a cup of the cheese for later) and taco seasoning. Mix it all together until it’s evenly combined.

  • Next, warm the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds. This will make them easier to roll. Then evenly divide the filling mixture into the center of about 6-8 tortillas (about a half a cup into each one). Top them each with the rest of the shredded cheese.

  • Then, fold the two sides over the chicken mixture and fold the bottom over those sides and roll it up.

  • Next, carefully add them (seam side down) into a large lipped skillet with hot oil. The oil should be about 2 inches deep into the skillet. Work in batches and fry two at a time. Lightly fry them on all sides until they are nice and golden brown. Quickly drain them on a dish towel or wire rack then transfer them to a serving platter.

  • Finally, add whatever toppings of your choice like pico de gallo and sour cream, slice them in half and serve warm. Enjoy!

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CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS (2024)

FAQs

What is traditionally in a chimichanga? ›

Traditionally, a chimichanga is filled with a combination of rice, beans, meat and cheese, similar to a burrito. You can opt for seasoned Mexican-style rice or yellow rice or even plain white rice. As for the beans, refried beans, black beans or pinto beans are traditional.

What is chimichanga sauce made of? ›

INGREDIENTS
  1. 3 c Oil.
  2. 4 c Flour.
  3. 1.5 c butter.
  4. 336 oz Chicken broth.
  5. 4.5 tablespoons Ground cumin.
  6. 1.5 tablespoon salt.
  7. 1.5 tablespoon Pepper.
  8. 5 lb sour cream.

What's the difference between a chimichanga and a burrito? ›

The most obvious difference between chimichangas and burritos is that the former is deep-fried, but there are some other differences, too. Burritos come from Mexico rather than the United States, and often contain more filling than chimichangas.

What the heck is a chimichanga? ›

A chimichanga (/ˌtʃɪmɪˈtʃæŋɡə/ CHIM-ih-CHANG-gə, Spanish: [tʃimiˈtʃaŋɡa]) is a deep-fried burrito that is common in Tex-Mex and other Southwestern U.S. cuisine.

Do Mexicans eat chimichangas? ›

While historians agree that the chimichanga is not an authentic Mexican food, the exact location of its origin is disputed.

Does a chimichanga have to be deep-fried? ›

Deep fry chimichangas until golden brown. (Alternatively, you can skip the deep frying step altogether by arranging the chimichanga packets on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts and tortillas begin to firm up, about 5 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F oven.)

What is chimi mayo made of? ›

Directions. Combine 2 cups fresh parsley, 1 cup fresh cilantro, 1 large jalapeno (seeded and chopped), 3 garlic cloves and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar in a food processor and pulse until well chopped. Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and pulse several times to incorporate. Season with salt.

What is a wet chimichanga? ›

Chimichanga conundrum

Chimichangas invariably fall into two basic categories: dry and wet. The former is crisply fried, topped with sour cream and guacamole and perhaps a little cheese. The latter is smothered with a sauce or salsa.

Is chimichanga same as enchilada? ›

A Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito made with a flour tortilla, while an enchilada is a baked dish that uses corn tortillas and is smothered in a chili sauce. Q2: Are enchiladas healthier than chimichangas? A: Yes. Enchiladas are lower in calories than deep-fried chimichangas.

What is the healthiest Mexican food? ›

10 Mexican Foods to Try for Better Health
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) ...
  • Pumpkin. ...
  • Corn tortillas. ...
  • Jicama. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Cactus. Prickly pear cactus, in particular, is popular in Mexican cuisine. ...
  • Chocolate. Unsweetened chocolate, made from cacao beans, is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols ( 15 ).
Sep 13, 2022

What is the swear word for chimichangas? ›

Supposedly, a worker dropped a king sized burrito into a deep fryer and accidentally began to let a Mexican curse word slip out but caught herself as there were children present. She changed what she had started to say mid word, and the resulting word was “chimichanga.”

Do you eat chimichangas with a fork? ›

In fact, the allure to a Chimichanga is the fact that you can pick one up and eat it without a fork and knife, anywhere you want. It's one of those comfort foods that everyone can enjoy without making a huge mess.

What is in a Jose Ole chimichanga? ›

Our signature Chicken & Cheese Chimichanga combines tender shredded chicken, real cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and long-grain rice with an authentic blend of seasonings & spices inside a freshly baked tortilla to deliver a crispy, crunchy classic you can't get enough of.

What's the difference between an enchilada and a chimichanga? ›

A Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito made with a flour tortilla, while an enchilada is a baked dish that uses corn tortillas and is smothered in a chili sauce. Q2: Are enchiladas healthier than chimichangas? A: Yes. Enchiladas are lower in calories than deep-fried chimichangas.

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