**Chimichangas: A Mexican Delight**
Chimichangas are a popular Mexican dish consisting of a deep-fried burrito filled with various savory ingredients. Originating from the northern Mexican state of Sonora, these delectable treats are a staple of Sonoran cuisine. Chimichangas typically feature a filling of seasoned ground beef, beans, cheese, and vegetables, all wrapped in a flour tortilla and deep-fried until golden brown. They are often served with a variety of toppings and sauces, such as guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and salsa. This article provides three delectable recipes for chimichangas: the classic Chi Chi's Beef Chimichangas, a vegetarian-friendly Black Bean and Corn Chimichanga, and a unique Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chimichanga. Each recipe offers a unique take on this beloved dish, ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you through the process of creating delicious and authentic chimichangas that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and let's embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of Mexico.
ALMOST-FAMOUS CHIMICHANGAS
It has happened to all of us: A restaurant closes and just like that, a favorite dish is gone forever. For thousands of fans of the Tex-Mex chain Chi-Chi's, which shuttered its last 65 restaurants in 2004, that dish was the chimichanga: a big tortilla stuffed with beef, seafood or chicken, lettuce, jack cheese and salsa, and topped with a secret "zesty Mexi-sauce." We've seen endless message- board posts from fans pondering the recipe and reminiscing about that unforgettable topping. Now they can taste it again: Chefs in Food Network Kitchens re-created the old favorite from memory.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Melt the butter with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet; transfer to a bowl. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon salt; toast 30 seconds. Add the tomato and cilantro and cook until slightly dry, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and sour cream and warm through. Remove from the heat.
- Brush a rimmed baking sheet with some of the butter-oil mixture. Spread 2 tablespoons refried beans down the center of each tortilla, leaving a 2-inch border on both ends. Top with 1 cup chicken mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Fold in the ends and roll up.
- Put the chimichangas seam-side down on the baking sheet; brush with the butter-oil mixture. Bake 8 to 10 minutes per side, brushing again after you flip. Top with the sauce, more cheese, lettuce and tomato. Serve with rice and the remaining beans.
- Saute onions and garlic cloves in a skillet with vegetable oil. Add a pinch each of chili powder, cumin, sugar and salt; cook 30 seconds. Stir in green chiles; cook 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer until thickened, then puree. Stir in cilantro.
COPYCAT CHI-CHI'S CHIMICHANGAS RECIPE
This is a spot on copy-cat recipe of our favorite dish from everyone's guilty tex-mex go-to, Chi-Chi's. Sadly, they aren't around my neck of the woods anymore, so I make these Copycat Chi-Chi's Chimichanga's in my own kitchen whenever a craving hits!
Provided by Kita Roberts
Categories Main Course
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Prep a large baking dish that will fit your chimichangas for baking.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbs vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno and cook for 3 minutes, just until softened. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and salt. Toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomato and cilantro and cook about 2 minutes longer, until liquid starts to dry. Stir in the chicken and sour cream and remove from heat.
- Arrange your tortilla with refried beans in the center, leaving a 2" border around the tortilla edges. Top with some of the chicken mixture and cheese. Fold in the short sides of the burrito, then roll up the long sides.
- Brush the baking dish with a bit of the melted butter and arrange chimichangas seam side down. Brush the tops with a little more of the butter mix.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flip, brush with more butter, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 8 to 10 minutes longer.
SHREDDED BEEF CHIMICHANGAS
Usually deep fried, chimichangas can also be oven-fried with less mess, fuss, and fat. Use the filling in burritos as well. You may also deep fry, if desired.
Provided by VARISSUL
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 3h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Pour in water. Cover, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove cover, and cook until liquid has evaporated, and beef is well browned, about 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine beef broth, red wine vinegar, chili powder and cumin. Pour over beef. Cover, and cook until meat is very tender, and pulls apart easily, about 2 hours. Allow to cool, then shred and mix with pan juices.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
- Brush both sides of each tortilla with melted butter. Spoon shredded beef filling down center of each tortilla. Fold ends over filling, then fold sides to center to make a packet. Place chimichangas, seam side down, in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 714 calories, Carbohydrate 35.9 g, Cholesterol 151.1 mg, Fat 46.6 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 38 g, SaturatedFat 22.2 g, Sodium 1176.2 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
CHI CHI'S BEEF CHIMICHANGAS
A frequent family request this is based on a favorite dish served years ago at Chi Chi's Mexican restaurants. Somewhat time consuming to make they are delicious!
Provided by Lisa Huxhold
Categories Other Main Dishes
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. In a saucepan mix the sauce ingredients (excluding the cornstarch and water). Bring to a boil, lower the heat and continue to simmer stirring occasionaly while you complete the recipe. It should end up reduced to about half. Once reduced stir in the cornstarch mixed with the water. Cook until thickened and set aside.
- 2. Brown the ground beef, drain, and stir in the Fiesta Restaurante seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes.
- 3. Divide the meat evenly on the tortillas (1/3 of the way down the tortilla) do the same with the cheese.
- 4. Roll the tortilla (starting at the end with the meat/cheese) after rolling once, fold in the ends and finish rolling. To hold it together you may need to use toothpicks or a flour and water mixture to seal them.
- 5. Fry until golden brown.
- 6. Serve with sauce over the top, garnish with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions. I usually serve this with some shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes or refried beans.
DEEP-FRIED BEEF CHIMICHANGAS WITH GUACAMOLE
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 12 chimichangas
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Slice each avocado in half lengthwise, pop out seed and slip off the skin. Smash the avocado in a bowl and add onion, chiles, cilantro, lime juice, tomatoes, and garlic and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow flavors to combine.
- Lay out tortillas and sprinkle about 1/8 cup cheese on each. Begin heating vegetable oil to 350 degrees F in deep-fryer.
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat and saute onion until translucent. To this pan, add ground beef, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, celery salt, and salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Divide meat mixture into equal amounts in the pan. Then using a slotted spoon to leave excess liquid behind, transfer meat mixture to the center of each tortilla and fold the tortilla into a closed packet and secure using a wooden skewer or round toothpicks. Deep fry chimichangas until golden brown. (Alternatively, you can skip the deep frying step altogether by arranging the chimichanga packets on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts and tortillas begin to firm up, about 5 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F oven.) Remove skewers/toothpicks before serving.
CHIMICHANGAS
Though still debated, Tucson is generally credited as the original home of the chimichanga (fried "burro", as we call them, stuffed with meat, onions and chiles). I've combined several recipes into this one, and it's fairly authentic. -Laura Towns, Glendale, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a skillet, melt bacon grease over medium heat. Saute meat, onion, garlic, tomatoes, chilies and potatoes until the onion softens. Add salt, oregano, chili powder and cilantro; simmer 2-3 minutes. Place a scant 1/2 cup meat filling on each tortilla. Fold, envelope-style, like a burrito. Fry, seam side down, in 1/2 in. of hot oil. (360°-375°) until crispy and brown. Turn and brown other side. Drain briefly on a paper towel. Top as desired; serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 13g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 862mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 16g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the flavor of your chimi.
- Don't overcook the beef: Cook it until it is just tender, but not tough.
- Use a good quality flour tortilla: This will help to hold the chimi together and prevent it from falling apart.
- Fill the tortillas generously: Don't be afraid to add plenty of filling, but don't overstuff them or they will be difficult to fold.
- Fold the chimis tightly: This will help to keep the filling inside and prevent it from leaking out.
- Fry the chimis until they are golden brown and crispy: This will give them a delicious flavor and texture.
- Serve the chimis with your favorite toppings: Some popular options include sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded lettuce.
Conclusion:
Chimichangas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a fun weekend party. With a few simple tips, you can make chimis that are sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe, give chimis a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love