Chicken Burritos
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These easy 30 minute Chicken Burritos are stuffed with an incredibly delicious and perfectly seasoned chicken filling, Mexican rice, refried beans, corn and lots of cheese. If you have some leftovers, they’re perfect for freezing so you can enjoy some later.
Chicken Burritos Recipe
Take a look at these chicken burritos! Do they look good or what? They are absolutely delicious and so easy to make. I just think burritos are the the greatest thing ever invented because they’re so versatile. The filling in these burritos is incredible. Perfectly seasoned chicken pieces, veggies, refried beans, corn, Mexican rice and lots and lots of cheese.
- Easy To Make – 30 Minutes
- Simple Ingredients
- Versatile & Customizable
- Delicious & Perfect For Picky Eaters!
When I make these, I go all out and make everything from scratch. I make my own refried beans, my own Mexican rice, my own Enchilada Sauce for the rice, and I also love to make some nacho cheese sauce from scratch. Sometimes, I even go ahead and make some homemade salsa. Of course, you don’t have to, but if I do this, I have lots of food for the week and we sure love our Mexican, so nobody ever complains.
This is a recipe that I’ve had on the blog for almost a decade now so I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Filling
- Chicken Breasts -Skinless and boneless, cut into small pieces. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Seasoning – I used chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Olive Oil – Substitute sunflower, safflower or avocado oil.
- Onion – A small white or yellow onion, chopped.
- Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
- Bell Pepper – Medium red bell pepper, chopped.
- Refried Beans – Canned, or you can use my homemade refried beans recipe!
Burritos
- Tortillas – I used large flour tortillas.
- Rice – You’ll want some nice Mexican rice for these burritos. Here’s my recipe for 3 ingredients only Mexican rice.
- Corn – I used canned corn to make it easier, but fresh or frozen will work as well!
- Cheese – Cheddar cheese, shredded. You can use any type of cheese you prefer. Mexican blends are great in these burritos.
Serve With
- Salsa – Try my homemade salsa!
- Sour Cream – Use your favorite.
- Nacho Cheese Sauce – Use your favorite, or make your own with my nacho cheese sauce recipe!
How To Make Chicken Burritos
Make The Filling:
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Season the chicken breast pieces with the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and dried oregano. Add chicken breast to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add Ingredients: Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and stir. Cook until onion is translucent. Add the refried beans, water and stir everything together. Cook for 2 minutes until the mixture reduces slightly, and no longer watery.
Assemble Burritos
- Warm Tortillas: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Warming them up simply makes them more pliable and easy to fold.
- Assemble: To assemble tortillas, layer them with rice, chicken filling, corn, cheese and then fold them up burrito style. You should have enough ingredients to make 8 burritos.
- Toast: Toast them in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F, wrapped in foil, or pan fry over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese melts. Alternatively, you can heat some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the burritos in the skillet seam side down. Cook on all sides until the golden brown, about 3 min per side.
- Serve: Serve with salsa and sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have To Use Chicken Breast?
Nope! You can use chicken thighs or ground chicken/turkey for this recipe. Honestly, if you’re not feeling chicken, use beef, pork or tofu! Keep in mind when using different protein or parts of the chicken, the cook times could vary.
What Else Can I Add To My Chicken Burritos?
You can truly add whatever you want to these! Feel free to have some fun and experiment with spices, veggies, protein, cheese etc.
How To Serve
I always serve my burritos with a side of sour cream and salsa! And if i’m really wanting to amp them up, I’ll add some nacho cheese sauce. These make the perfect lunch or dinner, one the entire family will love!
Can I Make These In Advance?
Absolutely! You can make these chicken burritos and freeze them for up to 3 months. Scroll down to freezing section for full instructions.
Tips
- Warming up your tortillas before assembling them will make them more pliable and easy to wrap!
- Fresh, canned or frozen corn will work in this recipe, if using fresh, you’ll have to cook the corn first. If using frozen, make sure it is completely thawed and any excess moisture is removed.
- Don’t skip the refried beans, it’s what makes the burrito chicken filling juicy and holds it together nicely, so that your filling doesn’t fall out.
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate leftover chicken burritos wrapped in foil or stored in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing
You can even freeze these burritos for up to 3 months as long they’re stored in an airtight container or wrapped securely. I would recommend wrapping the burritos individually in foil so you can defrost them as you wish.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
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Chicken Burritos
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 1 pound chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, cut into small pieces.)
- ½ salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1½ cups refried beans
- ¼ cup water
Burritos
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups Mexican rice
- 1 cup corn (canned)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
Serve with
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make the filling:
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Season the chicken breast pieces with the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and dried oregano. Add chicken breast to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add Ingredients: Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and stir. Cook until onion is translucent. Add the refried beans, water and stir everything together. Cook for 2 minutes until the mixture reduces slightly, and no longer watery.
Assemble burritos
- Warm Tortillas: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Warming them up simply makes them more pliable and easy to fold.
- Assemble: To assemble tortillas, layer them with rice, chicken filling, corn, cheese and then fold them up burrito style. You should have enough ingredients to make 8 burritos.
- Toast: Toast them in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F, wrapped in foil, or pan fry over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese melts. Alternatively, you can heat some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the burritos in the skillet seam side down. Cook on all sides until the golden brown, about 3 min per side.
- Serve: Serve with salsa and sour cream.
Notes
- Warming up your tortillas before assembling them will make them more pliable and easy to wrap!
- Fresh, canned or frozen corn will work in this recipe, if using fresh, you’ll have to cook the corn first. If using frozen, make sure it is completely thawed and any excess moisture is removed.
- Don’t skip the refried beans, it’s what makes the burrito chicken filling juicy and holds it together nicely, so that your filling doesn’t fall out.
- Refrigerate leftover chicken burritos wrapped in foil or stored in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
- You can even freeze these burritos for up to 3 months as long they’re stored in an airtight container or wrapped securely. I would recommend wrapping the burritos individually in foil so you can defrost them as you wish.
- Originally shared October 2012.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
It’s a flavor-packed experience. Thanks for the recipe.
My pleasure, so glad you enjoyed it!
While trying to use up the ingredients I had in my house already, I came across this recipe and was pleasantly surprised at how easy to prepare it was, and how delicious! I used the enchilada sauce recipe and Mexican rice recipe that were linked as well! Definitely going to be making it again, 10/10
It’s always a win when you can whip up a delicious meal with ingredients on hand! So glad you found and loved the chicken burritos recipe. And kudos for pairing it with the enchilada sauce and Mexican rice. Sounds like a feast!
Just made these burritos and had them for lunch. I made the Mexican rice that you had the link to as well. OMG, we have lunch for tomorrow and I froze 4 of them, so good! Will definitely be saving this recipe! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the burritos and the Mexican rice! It’s great that you have leftovers for lunch and some for the freezer—always nice to have a tasty meal on hand. Thank you for trying out the recipe and taking the time to leave such a positive comment! I hope you continue to enjoy them!
I want your Recipe please that look so Good.
This recipe was a delicious weeknight dinner. Tex-Mex dinners are a special treat for my family, and previously limited to vegetarian chili, quesadillas and sheet-pan nachos. I began by preparing 1 box of Old El Paso Spanish Rice according to package directions. I used 500g boneless chicken thighs (pre-marinated in homemade chili stew seasoning), 1/4 of a white onion and 1 red bell pepper, omitted the garlic and corn, used Old El Paso corn and wheat tortillas, and omitted rice from the filling. I instructed my kids to shred the cooked chicken with forks and grate the cheese while I sautéed the veggies and monitored the rice. I preheated the tortillas in the microwave according to package directions before assembling the burritos. I pan-fried the assembled burritos, and served the rice on the side along with jarred salsa and greek yogurt. My children requested that I add Chicken Burritos to our monthly dinner rotation. Next time, I would prepare homemade Mexican rice using Jo’s recipe. I would also experiment with a vegetarian filling. Thanks Jo for sharing a new family favorite!
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it, and love that you made it your own!
Another slam dunk!! These burritos were Delicious!!
I’m always looking for tasty options for my husband’s packed lunches. Today being a dreaded working Saturday I wanted to make him something extra tasty and he loves a good chicken burrito. Let me just say, the wonderful smell that filled my kitchen had my mouth watering! And NGL, I had a difficult time not making day work of a good portion right then (5am!) for my breakfast!! LoL
As it is, I barely held out for a very early (11:00am) lunch! And as it has been with every other delightful discovery I’ve made on your site so far, the end result is always Happy dancing taste buds!!
I couldn’t even wait til I was done eating before I came to write this. And I’m doing so while finishing my delicious chicken burrito!!
Jo, Your blog is my solid go-to for new amazing recipes or delightful new twists on some old faves. And you never disappoint!!
I Thank you again for sharing your culinary awesomeness!! I tell everyone who will listen and loves to cook, about your website. For which I always receive many thanks . and enjoy swapping recommendations of endless gems we discover in your collection. It’s become a thing!!
Warmest regards!
~Jenn
Thank you, Jenn for your wonderful comment. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes!
These burritos are amazing! Made them exactly as written but added two TBSP shelled, roasted & salted sunflower seeds to the filling and served with pico de gallo. Delicious! Thanks.
That sounds so delicious! Glad you enjoyed these burritos!
Wow! These are the best chicken burritos hands down!! Will be making these again for sure
Me and my husband found this recipe about a year ago and make it a couple times a month now. Our 2 and 4 year old boys love them too!!
Yay! 🙂
My entire family really liked this recipe. Simple with big taste.
I never knew I would love something that i made myself! Lol Thanks so much, it was just perfect!
Can these be frozen?
Yes you can. I’d wrap them up tightly with plastic wrap.
Can they be done from frozen and what temp/time?
Hi Alex! Yes you can, make sure they’re wrapped in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. I would bake them for about 30 to 40 minutes at 350ºF.
Made these for lunch today! So good! Thanks for the recipe!