Description
Golden Chicken Chimichangas are my go-to dinner when friends come over for a casual meal. Packed with juicy shredded chicken, melted cheese, and a crispy exterior, these little bundles of deliciousness never disappoint at my table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Cheese:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Moisture:
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt
- Pepper
Wrapping and Cooking:
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
- Craft a zesty chicken mixture by blending 2 cups shredded chicken, 1 cup cheddar cheese, ⅓ cup sour cream, 4 ounces diced green chilies, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, plus salt and pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Heat 6 large flour tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften and prevent cracking when folding.
- Distribute ½ cup of chicken mixture precisely in the center of each tortilla, carefully folding sides inward and rolling tightly to create sealed packages.
- For baking, arrange rolled chimichangas seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brushing each with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 22-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking to ensure even golden-brown crispness.
- Alternatively, heat 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C) and fry chimichangas for 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a deep golden exterior.
- Transfer fried chimichangas onto paper towels to absorb excess oil and drain.
- Garnish with optional toppings like fresh salsa, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, or additional sour cream before serving immediately.
Notes
- Handling tortillas gently prevents tearing, so warm them slightly to increase flexibility before filling.
- Creating a tight seal when rolling prevents the filling from leaking during cooking, so fold sides in first and roll snugly.
- Draining fried chimichangas on paper towels helps remove excess oil and keeps the exterior crispy.
- Experiment with different protein fillings like beef, pork, or black beans to customize the recipe for various dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (baked) or 6-9 minutes (fried)
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg