Easy Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe

Sizzling Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe for Family Night

Crispy tortillas wrapped around succulent chicken create the ultimate smothered baked chicken burritos that promise pure comfort.

Melted cheese and rich sauce blanket each hearty bundle of flavor.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying meals like these.

Packed with tender meat and zesty seasonings, these burritos deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Home cooks appreciate recipes that feel like restaurant-quality indulgence without complicated techniques.

Sour cream and fresh cilantro add bright, cool notes to the warm, cheesy filling.

You’ll want to make these again and again for a crowd-pleasing meal that never disappoints.

Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Favorites

  • Craft Crowd-Pleasing Meals: These chicken burritos deliver delicious flavors that satisfy everyone from kids to adults, making them perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
  • Minimize Kitchen Stress: With simple ingredient layering and straightforward baking instructions, this recipe requires minimal preparation and cooking skills, allowing even beginner cooks to create a fantastic meal.
  • Quick Comfort Food Solution: Combining protein-packed chicken, hearty rice, and melted cheese, these burritos transform basic ingredients into a comforting, filling dish that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows swapping proteins, adding extra veggies, or adjusting spice levels, giving home cooks creative freedom to personalize the meal according to family preferences.

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Burritos

Main Ingredients:
  • Tortillas: Large flour tortillas perfect for wrapping the burrito fillings.
  • Shredded Chicken: Tender and flavorful protein that serves as the primary filling for the burritos.
  • Refried Beans: Creamy base spread that adds richness and helps hold the burrito together.
  • Cooked Rice: Fluffy grain that provides additional substance and texture to the burritos.
Cheese and Sauce:
  • Shredded Cheese: Melty topping that creates a golden, gooey layer over the burritos.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Zesty sauce that adds moisture and flavor to the entire dish.
Garnish and Optional Toppings:
  • Green Onions, Sour Cream: Fresh garnish and creamy topping that add extra flavor and freshness to the finished burritos.

How to Prepare Smothered Baked Burritos

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Turn your oven to a toasty 375F (190C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Layer the Beans

Spread a generous layer of refried beans right down the center of each soft tortilla, creating a creamy foundation.

Step 3: Build Your Burrito Masterpiece

Add these delicious ingredients to each tortilla:
  • Tender shredded chicken
  • Fluffy cooked rice

Step 4: Roll and Tuck

Carefully roll each tortilla into a tight bundle, making sure to fold in the sides. Place the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish.

Step 5: Sauce It Up

Pour enchilada sauce generously over the burritos, making sure every inch gets covered in that zesty goodness.

Step 6: Cheese Blanket

Sprinkle a mountain of shredded cheese over the top, creating a melty, golden blanket.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that magical moment when the cheese turns melty and bubbly.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for a fresh kick. Serve with a dollop of cool sour cream on the side if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Tips for Baked Chicken Burritos

  • Use rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving option when preparing shredded chicken.
  • Warm tortillas slightly before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
  • Replace rice with quinoa for a protein-packed, gluten-free alternative that adds extra nutrition.
  • Choose low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to create a lighter version of the dish.
  • Store leftover burritos in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain their crispy texture.

Creative Variations for Chicken Burritos

  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with black beans, tofu, or roasted vegetables for a plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and ensure enchilada sauce is gluten-free.
  • Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and include a chipotle-spiced enchilada sauce for extra heat.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap tortillas for large lettuce leaves and replace rice with cauliflower rice for a lighter meal.

Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Burritos

  • Fiesta Feast Night: Create a fun family dinner where everyone builds their own burrito bar with extra toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and different hot sauces.
  • Mexican Movie Marathon Meal: Pair these burritos with classic salsa, guacamole, and cold Mexican beer or refreshing margaritas for a perfect movie night spread.
  • Quick Lunch Prep: Pack these burritos in individual containers for easy work or school lunches, keeping them warm in a microwave or enjoying them cold as a delicious meal on-the-go.
  • Weekend Potluck Star: Bring these cheesy baked burritos to gatherings, impressing friends with a crowd-pleasing dish that's simple to transport and always a hit at community events.

FAQs

  • Are these burritos spicy?

The heat level depends on your enchilada sauce choice. Use mild sauce for less spice or add hot sauce for extra kick.

  • Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?

Flour tortillas work best for this recipe as they hold together more easily and provide a softer texture when baking.

  • What type of chicken works best?

Rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken are perfect. You can also quickly cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can assemble burritos ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready to eat. They also freeze well for future meals.

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Easy Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe

Easy Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Mexican-inspired smothered baked chicken burritos combine hearty ingredients with rich, melted cheese and zesty sauce. Comfort meets culinary delight when hearty proteins and fresh garnishes create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken

Base Ingredients:

  • 6 large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 can (16 ounces/454 grams) refried beans

Topping and Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 can (10 ounces/283 grams) enchilada sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken-filled tortilla bundles.
  2. Layer a generous spread of creamy refried beans along the center of each soft tortilla.
  3. Distribute tender, shredded chicken and fluffy cooked rice directly on top of the bean foundation.
  4. Carefully fold and roll the tortillas into compact cylinders, ensuring a tight seal with the seam facing downward in a prepared baking dish.
  5. Drench the rolled burritos with a rich, vibrant enchilada sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  6. Liberally cascade shredded cheese across the sauced burritos, creating a melty golden blanket.
  7. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden crust.
  8. Remove from the oven and embellish with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, zesty garnish.
  9. Optional: Serve alongside a dollop of cool, tangy sour cream to complement the warm, hearty burritos.

Notes

  • Prepare shredded chicken and rice in advance to cut down cooking time and streamline your burrito assembly process.
  • Swap regular rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version, or use gluten-free tortillas to accommodate different dietary needs.
  • Mix different cheese varieties like pepper jack and cheddar for a more complex, rich flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
  • Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or spicy enchilada sauce, allowing you to customize the burrito’s intensity to your taste preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 516 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 950 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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