Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe

If you’re craving a meal that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than smothered baked chicken burritos. These burritos are packed with seasoned chicken, black beans, and rice, all wrapped in a soft tortilla and smothered in a rich, tangy sauce. Baked to perfection, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends. Let’s dive into how you can make this delicious, crowd-pleasing recipe at home.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling

1. Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Cook the Chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the skillet, followed by the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is well-coated with the spices.
3. Add the Rice and Beans: Stir in the cooked rice and black beans. Cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Assemble the Burritos

1. Lay Out the Tortillas: Place the tortillas on a flat surface. Divide the chicken filling evenly among them, placing it in the center of each tortilla.
2. Add Cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the chicken filling.
3. Roll the Burritos: Fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll it up tightly from the bottom. Place the rolled burritos seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 3: Smother and Bake

1. Add the Enchilada Sauce: Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the burritos, ensuring they are completely covered.
2. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top of the sauce-covered burritos.
3. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

1. Garnish the Burritos: Once out of the oven, let the burritos cool for a few minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños if desired.
2. Serve: Use a spatula to serve the burritos hot, making sure each serving is smothered in sauce and melted cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Pairing Ideas

• Guacamole and Chips: Serve these burritos with a side of homemade guacamole and tortilla chips for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
• Mexican Rice: A side of Mexican rice complements the flavors in these burritos perfectly.
• Fresh Salsa: Add a side of fresh salsa or pico de gallo for a burst of freshness.

Variations to Try

• Vegetarian Burritos: Swap the chicken for sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini, and add extra beans for a hearty vegetarian option.
• Spicy Burritos: Increase the heat by adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken filling.
• Breakfast Burritos: Transform these into breakfast burritos by adding scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage to the filling.

Tips for Success

Perfectly Rolled Burritos

• Tight Rolling: Make sure to roll the burritos tightly to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
• Secure with Toothpicks: If you’re worried about the burritos unrolling, secure them with a toothpick before baking.

Enhancing Flavor

• Marinate the Chicken: For an extra burst of flavor, marinate the chicken in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, and spices before cooking.
• Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Consider making your own enchilada sauce for a more personalized touch and deeper flavor.

Conclusion

Smothered baked chicken burritos are the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken, flavorful rice and beans, and melty cheese, all wrapped in a soft tortilla and smothered in enchilada sauce. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or entertaining guests, these burritos are sure to be a hit. Try out this recipe, and enjoy a delicious, satisfying meal that everyone will love.

FAQs

Can I make these burritos ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the burritos and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re coming straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze smothered burritos?

Absolutely! Assemble the burritos, wrap them individually in foil, and freeze them. When ready to eat, bake them straight from frozen, adding additional time as needed.

What other toppings can I add?

Feel free to get creative with toppings. Avocado slices, pickled onions, or a squeeze of lime juice would all be delicious additions.

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Yes, but keep in mind that corn tortillas are smaller and less flexible, so you may need to adjust the amount of filling or opt for a smaller baking dish.

Is there a dairy-free version?

To make these burritos dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and sour cream alternatives. The rest of the recipe remains the same.

Yield: 4

Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe

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If you're craving a meal that's bursting with flavor, look no further than smothered baked chicken burritos. These burritos are packed with seasoned chicken, black beans, and rice, all wrapped in a soft tortilla and smothered in a rich, tangy sauce. Baked to perfection, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends. Let’s dive into how you can make this delicious, crowd-pleasing recipe at home.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Burritos:
• 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
• 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup salsa or enchilada sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 large flour tortillas
• For the Smothering Sauce:
• 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce (red or green)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
• 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for creamier sauce)
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
   
2. Prepare the Filling:
   In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa (or enchilada sauce), ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
   
3. Assemble the Burritos:
   Lay out the flour tortillas on a clean surface. Divide the filling mixture evenly among the tortillas, placing the filling in the center of each tortilla.
   Fold the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll it up from one end to the other to form a burrito. Place the burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
   
4. Smother the Burritos:
   Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the top of the burritos, making sure they are fully covered.
   Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the sauce. If using, dollop the sour cream on top for a creamier sauce.
   
5. Bake:
   Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
   Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
   
6. Serve:
   Garnish the smothered burritos with chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve hot with extra salsa, sour cream, or guacamole on the side.

Notes

Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a quick and flavorful option for this recipe, but you can also use leftover grilled or baked chicken.

Tortillas: Use large, burrito-sized tortillas to make wrapping easier. You can also use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas if preferred.

Add-ins: Customize your burritos by adding sautéed onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.

Sauce Variations: You can use either red or green enchilada sauce depending on your preference. For a homemade touch, try making your own enchilada sauce.

Make-Ahead: These burritos can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated (without the sauce) for up to 24 hours. Add the sauce and cheese just before baking.

Freezing: To freeze, assemble the burritos without the sauce, wrap them individually in foil, and freeze. When ready to eat, thaw, cover with sauce, and bake as directed.