Best 7 Chi Chis Chicken Chimichanga Recipes

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Calling all Mexican food enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichanga recipe, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This dish features a crispy flour tortilla enveloping tender, juicy chicken, a symphony of sauteed vegetables, and a generous helping of melted cheese, all culminating in a golden-brown masterpiece.

In addition to the classic Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichanga recipe, we have curated a collection of equally enticing variations to cater to diverse preferences. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, our Vegetable Chimichanga is a delightful alternative, showcasing a vibrant medley of sauteed vegetables wrapped in a crispy tortilla and smothered in melted cheese.

For those who crave a bit of heat, our Spicy Chicken Chimichanga is sure to deliver, featuring a tantalizing blend of spices that adds a fiery kick to the succulent chicken filling. And for those who appreciate a seafood twist, our Shrimp Chimichanga is a coastal delight, boasting plump shrimp enveloped in a crispy tortilla and complemented by a tangy citrus sauce.

No matter your preference, our Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichanga recipe and its variations are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for authentic Mexican flavors. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

ALMOST-FAMOUS CHIMICHANGAS



Almost-Famous Chimichangas image

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

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
1 small tomato, chopped, plus more for topping
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup sour cream
1 15-ounce can refried beans
4 10-inch flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, plus more for topping
Mexi-sauce, for topping (recipe follows)
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Mexican rice, for serving
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 chopped garlic cloves
2 4-ounce cans chopped green chiles (drained and rinsed)
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

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



Copycat Chi-Chi's Chimichangas Recipe image

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

2 tbs unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion (chopped, divided (put half in a small cup for later))
5 cloves garlic (minced, divided (put two in a small cup for later))
1 jalapeno pepper (stemmed, seeded and diced)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder (plus 1/8 tsp for sauce)
1/2 tsp ground cumin (plus 1/4 for tsp sauce)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 teas sugar (for saus)
Salt
1 tomato (chopped, plus more for garnish)
Fresh cilantro
2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup sour cream
1.15 oz can refried beans
4 10" large flour tortillas
8 oz monterey jack cheese (shredded, plus more for topping)
7.5 oz can chopped green chiles (drained and rinsed)
1 cup chicken broth
Shredded lettuce (for topping)
Mexican rice (for serving)

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.

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS WITH SOUR CREAM SAUCE



Chicken Chimichangas with Sour Cream Sauce image

I am not generally a fan of chimichangas at restaurants, but this had me going back for seconds. It is easy to prepare the meat ahead of time and then have a very quick meal in a pinch.

Provided by SSTRAWDER

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chilies, divided
½ cup diced onion
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 cube chicken bouillon
½ cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Steps:

  • Place the chicken breasts into a large saucepan. Pour in the water, and season with chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, stir in 4 ounces of green chiles, onion, and garlic; continue simmering until the liquid has reduced to 1 cup. Reserve remaining 3 ounces of chopped green chilies. Remove the chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the onion mixture.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the water and bouillon cube until the water has thickened and the bouillon cube has dissolved, about 4 minutes. Whisk in reserved 3 ounces of green chilies and the sour cream; season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Place a tortilla onto your work surface, then spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken filling halfway between the bottom edge and the center of the tortilla. Flatten the filling into rectangle shape with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle about 1 ounce of the Monterey Jack cheese over the filling. Fold the bottom of the tortilla snugly over the filling, then fold in the left and right edges. Roll the chimichanga up to the top edge, forming a tight cylinder; secure the ends with wooden toothpicks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Cook the chimichangas, 2 at a time, in the hot oil until they are crisp and golden brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, and remove toothpicks. Top with sour cream sauce to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 505.7 calories, Carbohydrate 33.3 g, Cholesterol 72.2 mg, Fat 30 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 25.7 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 1042.6 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

BAKED CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS



Baked Chicken Chimichangas image

I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they're much healthier than deep-fried. -Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1-1/2 cups picante sauce, divided
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
2/3 cup chopped green onions, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Sour cream, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine chicken, 3/4 cup picante sauce, cheese, 1/4 cup onions, cumin and oregano. Spoon 1/2 cup mixture down the center of each tortilla. Fold sides and ends over filling and roll up. Place seam side down in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Brush with butter. , Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 20-25 minutes. If desired, broil until browned, 1 minute. Top with remaining picante sauce and onions. If desired, serve with sour cream., Freeze option: Cool baked chimichangas; wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Place chimichangas on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake until heated through, 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 269 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 39mg cholesterol, Sodium 613mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS



Chicken chimichangas image

Enjoy these flavour-packed chicken chimichangas with Monterey Jack cheese, chilli, chipotle and refried beans. You can bake or deep-fry them

Provided by Sam Zien

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tbsp vegetable oil, plus 60ml (if frying rather than baking)
5 skinless and boneless chicken thigh fillets, or about 300g leftover cooked chicken
½ onion, chopped
1 small red pepper, roughly chopped
100g green chillies from a jar, finely chopped
85g Monterey Jack cheese, grated plus extra for serving
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chipotle chilli powder
6 large flour tortillas
400g can refried beans (optional)
240ml red enchilada sauce
soured cream and a handful of chopped coriander, to serve

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat, add the chicken thigh fillets and fry for 6-8 mins each side until cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside. Add another tbsp oil to the pan, then the onion and red pepper and cook until softened, about 5 mins.
  • Shred or cut chicken into small pieces and put in a bowl with the cooked onions and peppers, chillies, cheese and spices, season and mix well.
  • Heat the tortillas briefly in a dry frying pan for a few seconds on each side to make them a little more pliable, or heat in a microwave. Spoon a layer of the beans, if using, into the centre of each tortilla, then spoon some of the chicken mixture on top. Repeat so all the wraps and filling are used up.
  • Roll-up the chimichangas - fold the bottom over the filling, fold the sides in, then roll away from you so all the filling is sealed in.
  • To bake, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the chimichangas on an oiled baking sheet and brush lightly with more oil. Bake until golden, about 20-25 mins. Or to fry them, heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the 60ml oil to the pan and place the chimichangas seam-side down. Turn gently every few seconds until lightly golden on all sides and the filling has heated through.
  • While they cook, warm the enchilada sauce in a small pan, then spoon some enchilada sauce on a plate, lay the chimichanga on top, and top with soured cream, a little more cheese and some coriander.Nutrition (fried):Kcal 425; fat 24g; saturates 6g; carbs 27g; sugars 5g; fibre 3g; protein 23g; salt 1.85g

Nutrition Facts : Calories 352 calories, Fat 16 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 27 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 23 grams protein, Sodium 1.85 milligram of sodium

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS



Oven-Fried Chicken Chimichangas image

A fast and healthier way to serve Chimichangas than the traditional deep fried. These are very good, and you may dress them up to you own preference. I like to serve with green chile sauce sometimes instead of the picante sauce.

Provided by Miss Annie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 6 Chimichangas

Number Of Ingredients 11

2/3 cup picante sauce or 2/3 cup your favorite salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped with some tops (about 1/4 cup)
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
chopped green onion, for serving
picante sauce, for serving

Steps:

  • Mix chicken, picante sauce or salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese and onions.
  • Place about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla.
  • Fold opposite sides over filling.
  • Roll up from bottom and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
  • Brush with melted margarine.
  • Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes or until golden.
  • Garnish with additional cheese and green onion and serve salsa on the side.

CHI CHI'S BEEF CHIMICHANGAS



Chi Chi's Beef Chimichangas image

Delicious recipe that is quite similar to a popular Chi Chi's restaurant dish. Seasoned ground beef and cheese are rolled in a tortilla, smothered in green chile sauce, topped with sour cream and sliced green onions. I adapted this from a posting at recipelink submitted by "Jill". It is important to use Chi Chi's restaurante fiesta seasoning mix. Don't skip the sauce or garnishes. Enjoy!

Provided by kookiekrumb

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 1h

Yield 6 chimichangas, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 -1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 (7/8 ounce) package Chi Chi's restaurante fiesta seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
3 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
6 -12 inches flour tortillas
vegetable oil
8 ounces green chilies, 2 cans 4 ounce each (do not drain)
1 1/2 teaspoons beef bouillon
3 cups water
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/3 cup water
sour cream
1 bunch sliced green onion

Steps:

  • 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.
  • Brown the ground beef, drain, and stir in the fiesta restaurante seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Divide the meat evenly on the tortillas (1/3 of the way down the tortilla) do the same with the cheese.
  • 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.
  • Fry until golden brown or bake in the oven.To bake in the oven: brush with vegtable oil or butter and bake on middle shelf at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Finish under the broiler for approx 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch carefully when under the broiler.
  • 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.
  • Enjoy!

Tips:

  • To make the chicken chimichangas, you will need a variety of ingredients, including chicken, tortillas, cheese, and salsa. You will also need some basic cooking supplies, such as a skillet and a baking sheet.
  • For the chicken, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. If you are using chicken breasts, you will need to pound them thin before cooking.
  • You can use any type of cheese that you like for the chimichangas. Some popular choices include cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
  • For the salsa, you can use your favorite store-bought salsa or you can make your own. If you are making your own salsa, you will need some fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
  • To assemble the chimichangas, you will need to spread some salsa on a tortilla. Then, you will need to add some chicken, cheese, and any other desired toppings. Finally, you will need to fold the tortilla up and secure it with a toothpick.
  • The chimichangas can be baked or fried. If you are baking them, you will need to preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, you will need to place the chimichangas on a baking sheet and bake them for about 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
  • If you are frying the chimichangas, you will need to heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Then, you will need to add the chimichangas to the skillet and cook them for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown.

Conclusion:

Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichangas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and they can also be served as an appetizer or snack. With a variety of ingredients to choose from, you can customize the chimichangas to your own liking. So, next time you are looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give Chi Chi's Chicken Chimichangas a try.

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