Description
Hearty chicken burritos from Mexico blend crispy chicken, fluffy rice, and rich beans in one satisfying meal. Delicious tortillas wrapped with spicy fillings promise comfort and flavor you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 1 15-oz (425 g) can refried beans
- ¾ cup basmati rice, cooked
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 large onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, cored and chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red or green salsa, for serving
Instructions
- Searing Chicken: Caramelize chicken thighs in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat until achieving a golden, flavor-packed exterior, then transfer to a separate bowl.
- Vegetable Medley: In the same pan, sauté onions and peppers until translucent, then add tomatoes and cook until they break down into a harmonious blend.
- Braising Process: Reintroduce chicken to the vegetable mixture, pour in chicken stock, and simmer on low heat, partially covered, until meat becomes fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Rice Preparation: Cook basmati rice using broth for depth, then fold in fresh cilantro and lime juice to elevate the flavor profile.
- Bean Warming: Gently heat refried beans in a separate saucepan, adjusting consistency with water or broth as needed.
- Tortilla Preparation: Warm tortillas at 300°F, draping with a damp towel to ensure maximum pliability.
- Burrito Assembly: Layer refried beans, rice, shredded chicken, and cheese onto tortillas, leaving margin for precise rolling.
- Rolling and Crisping: Roll burritos tightly, folding edges inward, then toast in a skillet, pressing with a flat-bottomed pot to create a golden, crisp exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer crisped burritos to the oven to maintain temperature, then serve with vibrant salsas and creamy sour cream, allowing any extras to cool completely before freezing.
Notes
- Master Chicken Tenderness: Slow-simmer chicken thighs in broth until meat practically falls apart, ensuring maximum flavor and soft, shreddable texture.
- Rice Flavor Boost: Cook basmati rice in broth instead of water, then brighten with fresh cilantro and lime juice for a zesty, aromatic profile.
- Crispy Burrito Secret: Press burritos firmly in a hot skillet with a weighted pot to create golden, crunchy exterior without burning tortilla.
- Smart Storage Tip: Allow leftover burritos to cool completely before wrapping for freezing, preventing condensation and maintaining crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg