Gourmet Baked Chimichangas with Mexi-Sauce
Experience the flavors of classic Mexican cuisine with these Gourmet Baked Chimichangas, inspired by the beloved Chi-Chi's recipe. These delightful tortillas are packed with tender shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy sour cream, fresh tomatoes, and zesty seasonings, all enveloped in a golden, crispy shell. Baked to perfection instead of fried, they are a healthier twist without sacrificing flavor. Topped with a rich and smooth Mexi-sauce, sprinkled with fresh cilantro, and served with a side of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, this dish is sure to impress at any gathering or family dinner.
4
Servings
500
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Canola Oil
4 tablespoons (divided)
White Onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
3 (chopped)
Jalapeno Pepper
1 (diced (seeds removed for milder flavor))
Chili Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (spice)
Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (spice)
Ground Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon (spice)
Kosher Salt
to taste (seasoning)
Tomato
1 small (chopped)
Fresh Cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Rotisserie Chicken
2 1/2 cups (shredded)
Sour Cream
1/4 cup (for mixing)
Flour Tortillas
40 inches (for wrapping)
Refried Beans
1 (15 ounce) can (for spreading)
Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup (shredded (plus more for topping))
Shredded Lettuce
for topping (fresh)
Chopped Onion
1/2 cup (for topping)
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced for sauce)
Canned Chopped Green Chilies
8 ounces (for sauce)
Chicken Broth
1 cup (for sauce)
Cilantro
1/4 cup (for mixing into sauce)
Instructions
1
To prepare the Mexi-Sauce, heat a skillet over medium heat and coat it with cooking spray. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become tender. Stir in a pinch of chili powder, cumin, sugar, and salt, cooking for an additional 30 seconds. Incorporate the canned green chilies, allowing to cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and let the sauce simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency. Once achieved, puree the sauce until smooth and stir in 1/4 cup cilantro.
2
For the chimichangas, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a skillet, melt the unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Once melted, transfer the mixture to a bowl. In the same skillet, heat the remaining canola oil, then add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeno. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, toasting the spices for 30 seconds. Add the chopped tomato and cilantro, cooking for about 2 minutes until slightly dried. Remove from heat and combine with the shredded chicken and sour cream, warming just enough to meld the flavors.
3
On a clean surface, brush a rimmed baking sheet with some of the butter-oil mixture. Spread about 2 tablespoons of refried beans down the center of each tortilla, ensuring you leave a 2-inch border at both ends. Layer each tortilla with 1 cup of the chicken mixture and 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Fold in the ends of the tortillas and roll them up tightly to enclose the filling.
4
Place the assembled chimichangas seam side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining butter-oil mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes before flipping and brushing again. Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
5
To serve, generously spoon the Mexi-Sauce over the baked chimichangas. Sprinkle with additional Monterey Jack cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped fresh tomatoes, and the remaining cilantro. These chimichangas pair perfectly with Mexican rice and additional refried beans on the side.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Baked Chimichangas?
These are a healthier twist on classic Mexican chimichangas, where flour tortillas are filled with shredded chicken, beans, and cheese, then baked until crispy instead of fried.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C) for the best results.
How long do the chimichangas need to bake?
They should bake for 8-10 minutes on the first side, then be flipped and baked for another 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
What makes these chimichangas healthier?
These chimichangas are baked to perfection instead of being deep-fried, which reduces the overall fat content without sacrificing flavor.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor.
How do I make the Mexi-Sauce?
Sauté onion and garlic, stir in spices and green chilies, add chicken broth, simmer until thick, and then puree until smooth with fresh cilantro.
What ingredients are in the Mexi-Sauce?
The sauce includes onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, sugar, salt, canned green chilies, chicken broth, and fresh cilantro.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
Monterey Jack cheese is used both inside the filling and as a topping.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeno for a milder flavor or leave them in for extra heat.
How do I assemble the chimichangas?
Spread refried beans on the tortilla, layer with chicken mixture and cheese, fold in the ends, and roll tightly.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What should I serve as a side dish?
These chimichangas pair perfectly with Mexican rice and additional refried beans on the side.
How do I get the tortillas to be crispy?
Brush the baking sheet and the tops of the tortillas with a mixture of melted unsalted butter and canola oil before baking.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 30g of protein.
Do I need to cook the chicken from scratch?
No, using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes the preparation much faster and easier.
What type of tortillas should I use?
Large flour tortillas are best for wrapping the generous chicken and bean filling.
Is there any cinnamon in the recipe?
Yes, 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is added to the chicken filling to provide a gourmet depth of flavor.
What are the suggested toppings?
Top with the Mexi-Sauce, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped fresh tomatoes, and fresh cilantro.
Can I make the Mexi-Sauce in advance?
Yes, the sauce can be prepared ahead of time and reheated when you are ready to serve.
How much fat is in a serving?
One serving contains approximately 22.5g of fat.
What spices are used for the chicken filling?
The filling is seasoned with chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and kosher salt.
Should I use fresh or canned green chilies?
The recipe specifies using an 8-ounce can of chopped green chilies for the Mexi-Sauce.
How much refried beans go in each tortilla?
Use about 2 tablespoons of refried beans spread down the center of each tortilla.
What is the total count of ingredients?
There are 22 ingredients used across the main dish, sauce, and toppings.
Is the Mexi-Sauce chunky or smooth?
The instructions recommend pureeing the sauce until it is completely smooth.
Can I substitute the canola oil?
While canola oil is used for its high smoke point, you can use other neutral oils like vegetable oil.
How much chicken broth is needed?
The Mexi-Sauce requires 1 cup of chicken broth to achieve the proper consistency.
Why is sour cream added to the chicken?
Sour cream is mixed with the shredded chicken to provide creaminess and moisture to the filling.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is preparing the Mexi-Sauce by sautéing onion and garlic in a skillet.