Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos Recipe
Get ready to dive into a comfort food classic with these Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos! Tender shredded chicken is wrapped in soft flour tortillas, smothered in a creamy green enchilada sauce, topped with melty cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection. This dish brings together all the cozy flavors you crave in one bite, making it perfect for family dinners, cozy weeknights, or when you want to impress friends with zero fuss. If you love a satisfying, high-protein meal that practically begs for seconds, this recipe should be at the top of your list.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos is how straightforward yet powerfully flavorful the ingredients are. Every item plays a distinct role, whether it’s providing spice, creaminess, or melty texture, so don’t skip a thing!
- Shredded Chicken: Use cooked and shredded chicken for the juiciest, most flavorful filling—leftovers or rotisserie work perfectly!
- Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: Creamy and rich, this cheese melts beautifully and adds that irresistible gooey factor.
- Diced Green Chiles: These add a mellow, tangy heat that’s signature for classic green chile dishes.
- Green Enchilada Sauce: The key to a luscious smothered effect, giving your burritos additional moisture and bold flavor.
- Cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin gives the filling an unmistakable depth.
- Garlic Powder: For an extra punch of savory flavor in every bite.
- Salt: Enhances all the other ingredients and ties the flavors together.
- Large Flour Tortillas: The soft, pliable wrap that holds everything in—make sure they’re fresh for easy rolling!
- Sour Cream: Blends with the sauce for a silky texture and just the right tangy finish.
- Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkle on top brings brightness and a pop of color.
How to Make Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, half of your Monterey Jack cheese, diced green chiles, a splash of green enchilada sauce, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Stir everything together thoroughly so each bite bursts with flavor—this forms a savory, cheesy filling you’ll want to eat by the spoonful!
Step 2: Roll the Burritos
Arrange your tortillas on a clean work surface. Evenly divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas and roll them up snugly, tucking in the sides as you go. Place each burrito seam-side down in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish; this helps keep them tight as they bake and soak up all that delicious sauce.
Step 3: Make the Smothering Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the rest of your green enchilada sauce with the sour cream. Stir gently until the sauce is warmed through and smooth, but don’t let it boil—this keeps it lusciously creamy. The sauce is what transforms these from everyday burritos into Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos!
Step 4: Assemble and Top
Pour your creamy enchilada sauce evenly over the burritos in the baking dish. Next, sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese over the top to guarantee every burrito gets a bubbling, melty golden cap.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is gloriously melted and the sauce is bubbling at the edges—pure comfort in baking dish form!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, let the burritos rest for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro right before serving for a final hint of color and freshness. Serve the Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos piping hot and get ready for the compliments!
How to Serve Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos
Garnishes
Garnishing these burritos is a chance to add a little panache and play up the flavors. A handful of freshly chopped cilantro is a must, but you can also add sliced green onions, a few extra dollops of sour cream, or even thinly sliced jalapeños for those who like a little extra heat. Avocado slices or a squeeze of lime add a lovely freshness if you’re feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
These burritos are hearty enough on their own, but they pair wonderfully with easy classics like Spanish rice, refried beans, or a homemade corn and black bean salad. Want something even simpler? Toss together a green salad with lime vinaigrette—tangy and fresh to balance the creamy, cheesy filling inside the Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re aiming to impress, serve each burrito individually in shallow bowls, generously spooning the sauce over the top. For family-style, arrange all the bubbling burritos on a big platter and pass around extra toppings so everyone can build their own masterpiece. Miniature versions make perfect party bites or appetizers that’ll disappear in a flash at any gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply cover the dish tightly or transfer the burritos to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to meld even more, making day-two Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos absolutely crave-worthy!
Freezing
For those who love a make-ahead meal, these burritos freeze beautifully. Assemble the burritos with the filling and roll them up, but don’t add the sauce or cheese yet. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap, freeze, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking with sauce and cheese as directed above.
Reheating
To reheat, place the burritos in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, usually 15-20 minutes. For a quick solo serving, the microwave does the trick; just cover and heat in short bursts until hot, adding a spoonful of extra sauce if needed to keep them moist.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While Monterey Jack melts incredibly well, you can substitute with cheddar, pepper jack for extra spice, or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile in these Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos.
Is there a way to make these burritos spicier?
Definitely. Add chopped jalapeños to the filling or choose a hot green enchilada sauce. You can also sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne or top with spicy salsa to really turn up the heat without changing the spirit of Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Sure thing! Use large gluten-free tortillas from your local market. Just be gentle when rolling, as some gluten-free wraps can be more fragile, but the results will be just as delicious.
What’s the best chicken to use—breast or thigh?
Both work beautifully. Chicken breasts create a leaner, lighter filling while thighs yield extra-juicy, flavorful bites. Many folks use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for both convenience and fantastic flavor in Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos.
How do I prevent soggy burritos when reheating?
Avoid microwaving for too long, as the tortillas can absorb too much moisture. If baking, uncover for the last few minutes to let the edges crisp slightly and keep that comforting texture.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait for a special occasion—life is too short to miss out on Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos! They’re hearty, flavorful, and so easy to make, you’ll want to put them on regular rotation. Gather your favorite people, prep your toppings, and get ready for a dinner everyone will rave about!
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Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 burritos 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burritos are a delicious and satisfying meal that brings together tender shredded chicken, gooey cheese, and flavorful green chiles wrapped in a warm tortilla and baked to perfection. Topped with a creamy enchilada sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
For Assembly:
- 6 large flour tortillas
For Topping:
- 1 can (15 ounces) green enchilada sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, combine shredded chicken, 1 cup cheese, green chiles, 1/4 cup enchilada sauce, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
- Assemble Burritos: Divide filling among tortillas, roll up tightly, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Make Sauce: In a saucepan, warm remaining enchilada sauce and sour cream until smooth.
- Bake: Pour sauce over burritos, sprinkle with remaining cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sautéed onions and peppers to the filling.
- These burritos freeze well—assemble, cover tightly, and freeze before baking; thaw overnight and bake as directed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
