Baked Chicken Chimichangas

These Baked Chicken Chimichangas offer a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried dish. They’re packed with flavorful chicken, salsa, and spices, then baked to crispy perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or a casual get-together, these chimichangas are easy to prepare and customizable with your favorite toppings.

Tips:

1. Chicken Preparation: Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient option.
2. Salsa Choice: Choose a salsa that suits your heat preference, whether mild, medium, or hot.
3. Tortilla Size: Make sure to use 8-inch tortillas for the best results. Larger tortillas may not bake as evenly.
4. Crispiness: For extra crispiness, broil the chimichangas for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, but watch closely to prevent burning.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
• 1 cup of your favorite salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 green onions, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Diced tomato, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheddar cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.

1. Prepare Filling:

• In a large bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions.

1. Assemble Chimichangas:

• Place about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla.
• Fold the opposite sides of the tortilla over the filling, then roll up from the bottom, ensuring the chimichangas are tightly wrapped.
• Place the rolled chimichangas seam-side down on a baking sheet.

1. Bake:

• Brush each chimichanga with melted butter to help them turn golden and crispy in the oven.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the chimichangas are golden brown and crispy.

1. Serve:

• Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
• Garnish with diced tomato, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and additional shredded cheddar cheese as desired.

Enjoy these delicious Baked Chicken Chimichangas as a healthier, oven-baked alternative to the traditional fried version, perfect for satisfying your Mexican food cravings!