Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe

Burritos aren't just food; they're a culinary canvas waiting for your creative touch. You'll transform ordinary rotisserie chicken into a mouthwatering meal that'll become your family's new favorite dinner. These smothered baked chicken burritos promise a perfect blend of convenience and flavor, offering a simple yet impressive dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Want to know how to turn basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy feast?

Recipe Highlights

• Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, Mexican cheese blend, and enchilada sauce in large flour tortillas for a hearty, flavorful burrito.
• Carefully roll tortillas with chicken filling, ensuring edges are tucked tightly to prevent ingredients from spilling during baking.
• Pour additional enchilada sauce generously over assembled burritos to create a "smothered" effect that adds moisture and rich flavor.
• Bake in a preheated oven until cheese melts completely and tortilla edges turn golden brown and crispy.
• Garnish finished burritos with optional toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, or fresh avocado for added texture and taste.

History

While burritos have roots deeply embedded in Mexican cuisine, their journey to becoming a beloved dish is a fascinating culinary narrative.

You'll discover that these portable meals originated in northern Mexico, specifically in the state of Chihuahua, where vaqueros (cowboys) needed convenient, hearty food while working long cattle drives. The word "burrito" literally means "little donkey" in Spanish, potentially referencing the rolled tortillas' resemblance to the animal's ear or the way these bundles could be carried on a donkey.

Traditional burritos were simple: wheat flour tortillas filled with meat, beans, or local ingredients.

As Mexican immigrants brought their cuisine to the United States, burritos evolved, incorporating diverse fillings and regional variations that transformed them into the versatile dish you know today.

Recipe

Baked chicken burritos are a delightful fusion of comfort food and Mexican-inspired cuisine. These hearty rolls combine tender, juicy chicken with melted cheese, all wrapped in a crispy tortilla and smothered in rich enchilada sauce. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe offers a simple yet satisfying meal that comes together with minimal effort.

The beauty of these burritos lies in their versatility and ease of preparation. By using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and a handful of basic ingredients, home cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish in under an hour. The baking process allows the tortillas to crisp up while the cheese melts and the flavors meld together, creating a mouthwatering meal that's sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 6 large flour tortillas
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Lay out the tortillas on a clean work surface and divide the shredded chicken evenly among them, placing the meat slightly off-center. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of cheese over the chicken for each burrito.

To form the burritos, fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll tightly from bottom to top, ensuring the filling is secure. Place the burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the burritos, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the tortillas are golden and crispy.

When serving, top the baked burritos with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with fresh cilantro if desired. For best results, let the burritos rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the filling to set and make them easier to serve.

These burritos can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, making them an excellent option for meal prepping or entertaining.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by gently warming your tortillas to prevent cracking, creating a pliable base for your burritos.

Next, carefully fill each tortilla with seasoned shredded chicken, leaving space at the edges to fold inward and create a tight, compact roll.

Finally, arrange the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish, generously pour enchilada sauce over the top, and bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 1. Warm Tortillas, Prevent Cracking

Because warm tortillas are crucial for preventing cracking during burrito assembly, you'll want to take a few strategic steps before rolling your ingredients. Briefly heat your tortillas on a skillet or griddle for 10-15 seconds per side, just until they become pliable and flexible. This technique softens the wheat-based wraps, making them more malleable and resistant to tearing when you fold in your chicken and cheese.

Key warming methods include:

• Microwave (30 seconds between damp paper towels)
• Dry skillet (medium-low heat)
• Oven (wrapped in foil at 350°F for 5 minutes)

Always handle tortillas gently, moving them quickly to prevent overcooking, which can cause brittleness. Your goal is a warm, supple wrap that'll hold your delicious filling without splitting.

Step 2. Fill Tortillas With Chicken

First things first, grab your warmed tortillas and spread them out on a clean, flat surface ready for filling.

You'll want to distribute about 1/2 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken evenly across the center of each tortilla, leaving roughly 2 inches of space around the edges for folding.

Sprinkle a generous handful of Mexican cheese blend over the chicken, ensuring even coverage.

Pro tip: Use your fingers to create a slightly mounded chicken layer that'll help prevent sparse filling when you roll.

Keep the chicken slightly off-center, leaning toward the bottom third of the tortilla, which will make rolling smoother.

When filling, be careful not to overstuff – you'll want to maintain enough flexibility to create tight, neat burrito rolls that'll hold together during baking.

Step 3. Fold Tortilla Edges Inward

After evenly distributing chicken and cheese across your tortillas, it's time to master the art of burrito folding.

Start by carefully folding the bottom edge up about 1-2 inches, creating a small barrier that'll prevent filling from escaping. Next, fold in the side edges at roughly a 45-degree angle, creating neat triangular corners that'll help seal your burrito.

Use gentle but firm pressure to ensure a tight seal, pressing down slightly to compact the filling.

• Fold bottom edge up first
• Angle side edges inward
• Press gently to seal
• Keep edges neat and tight

The goal is a compact, leak-proof package that'll hold together during baking.

Don't worry if your first few attempts look imperfect – technique improves with practice.

Step 4. Pour Enchilada Sauce

The enchilada sauce transforms your chicken burritos from simple to spectacular, adding vibrant flavor and moisture to every bite. Pour the sauce generously over the assembled burritos, making sure to cover each one completely.

Aim for an even layer that'll seep into the tortilla's edges and between the rolled ingredients.

• Use about 1 cup of red enchilada sauce for 4-6 burritos
• Tilt the baking dish to ensure full coverage
• Let sauce flow naturally around and between the burritos
• Distribute sauce with a spoon if needed for uniform coating

Pro tip: Leave a small border around the edges to prevent excessive sauce pooling. The sauce should coat the burritos without completely drowning them, creating a moist, flavorful exterior that'll crisp slightly during baking.

Step 5. Bake Until Cheese Melts

Carefully slide your prepared burritos into a preheated 375°F oven, positioning the baking dish in the center rack for even heat distribution.

Watch for the cheese to begin bubbling and the tortilla edges turning golden brown, which typically takes 20-25 minutes. You'll want to monitor the burritos closely, ensuring they don't overcook and become dry.

Keep an eye out for these visual cues:

• Cheese fully melted and glossy
• Tortilla edges crisp and slightly darkened
• Enchilada sauce simmering around the burritos

The goal is achieving a perfect balance: melted, gooey cheese, a crisp exterior, and a tender, warm interior.

When the burritos look beautifully bronzed and the cheese has completely melted, they're ready to be pulled from the oven.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a busy home cook or a weekend culinary enthusiast, these baked chicken burritos will quickly become a go-to meal in your recipe arsenal.

You'll appreciate how effortlessly they transform simple ingredients into a satisfying dinner that impresses family and friends. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability – you can easily customize fillings, swap proteins, or adjust spice levels to suit your taste.

Pro tip: Always keep extra tortillas and enchilada sauce on hand for spontaneous meal preparation.

These burritos aren't just delicious; they're a practical solution for hectic weeknights when you need a quick, hearty meal. Master this technique, and you'll have a reliable recipe that never disappoints.