Smothered Chicken Burritos with Green Chile Sauce Recipe
This Smothered Burrito Recipe with Green Chile Sauce features tender chicken mixed with spices, salsa, and cheese wrapped in a crispy flour tortilla, then covered in a creamy, flavorful green chile sauce. Baked until golden and broiled with extra cheese on top, these burritos are comforting and perfect for a hearty meal. Serve with authentic Mexican rice for a complete dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 burritos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Burrito Filling
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 1/2 cups salsa, your favorite kind
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 6 large flour tortillas
- Olive oil, for brushing on burritos
Green Chile Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 ounces diced mild green chilies
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to prepare for baking the burritos.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked chicken, salsa, ground cumin, dried oregano, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions thoroughly. This mixture forms the flavorful filling of your burritos.
- Assemble Burritos: Place about a heaping ½ cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each large flour tortilla. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly like a burritos. Place them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to prevent unrolling.
- Brush Burritos: Lightly brush the tops of the assembled burritos with olive oil or use a non-stick cooking spray to help them crisp up nicely while baking.
- Bake Burritos: Bake the burritos in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, ensuring a delightful texture.
- Prepare Green Chile Sauce: While the burritos bake, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes to form a roux. Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the diced green chilies, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Broil Burritos: Once baked, remove the burritos from the oven and switch the oven setting to high broil. Ladle a spoonful of the green chile sauce over each burrito and sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles invitingly.
- Serve: Serve these smothered burritos hot, ideally alongside authentic Mexican rice for a full and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Yield: Makes 6 burritos. Serving size is 1 burrito.
- Tortillas: Uncooked flour tortillas work best, but regular cooked flour tortillas are also fine.
- Make Ahead: Chicken filling and green chile sauce can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored separately in the fridge for convenience.
- Variations: Try substituting red enchilada sauce for a different flavor profile.
- Protein Swaps: Substitute chicken with steak carne asada or pork carnitas to customize the dish to your preference.
Keywords: smothered burrito, green chile sauce, chicken burrito, baked burrito, Mexican recipe, homemade burrito