Description
Savory baked chicken chimichangas offer a healthier twist on the classic Mexican dish. Crispy tortillas filled with tender chicken and melted cheese provide a delightful meal you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
Cheese:
- 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese
- 8 oz (226 grams) pepperjack cheese, shredded
- Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
Additional Ingredients:
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1.5 tablespoons taco seasoning
- Cooking spray
Garnish and Serving:
- Green onions, sliced
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, Pepperjack cheese, and taco seasoning until smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate shredded cooked chicken into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Allocate the chicken-cheese blend evenly across flour tortillas, carefully folding edges and rolling each to create sealed packets.
- Heat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Position rolled chimichangas seam-side down in the prepared dish, lightly misting tortilla surfaces with cooking spray for enhanced crispiness.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then gently flip each chimichanga and continue baking for another 15 minutes until exterior turns golden brown and crisp.
- Extract chimichangas from oven and plate immediately, complementing with optional garnishes like shredded cheddar, sliced green onions, sour cream, and salsa for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose lean chicken breast for a healthier version, which reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Experiment with whole wheat tortillas to boost fiber intake and create a more nutritious meal option.
- Swap dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like vegan cream cheese and dairy-free cheese for lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.
- Prep extra filling and freeze for quick future meals, allowing convenient batch cooking and meal planning convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg