Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice
Crispy baked chicken chimichangas stuffed with spiced shredded chicken, served alongside fluffy Mexican rice cooked with tomato and aromatic spices. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, taco seasoning, large flour tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked Mexican rice
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 small diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 3: While rice cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 2 tbsp taco seasoning and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove from heat and shred with two forks.
- Step 4: Lay out 4 large flour tortillas. Divide shredded chicken evenly among tortillas, sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken, then roll tortillas tightly into chimichangas, folding in the sides.
- Step 5: Place chimichangas seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tortillas are golden and crisp. Serve immediately with 2 cups cooked Mexican rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Mexican Rice?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
