Monday, October 12, 2009

Zesty Chicken Burritos

Zesty Chicken Burritos

I debated with myself over whether to post these burritos. The fact that they were really, really outstanding won out. I under-estimated them. You know when you take that first bite of something and it's not what you expected, but better, and you just have to say mmmm out loud? Or announce to everyone how good it is? When everyone else at the table does the same then you know their worth sharing.

This was my first time using Ro-tel tomato and green chile mix. But it won't be my last! They were exceptionally tasty and added a lot of flavor. I mixed them with the shredded chicken and layered the burritos with cheesy rice, shredded cheddar and  refried beans. Then I pan-fried them to melt all the flavors together and make the tortilla all nice and toasty. I topped them with a sour cream sauce made by mixing in softened cream cheese, cilantro and fresh lime juice. The cream cheese enriched the sour cream and made it extra thick and creamy. The refreshing hint of lime and cilantro brightened up and mingled with the other flavors deliciously.  

What did I learn?

1. Burritos are overlooked in my diet!

2. Ro-Tel Tomatoes & Green Chiles are yummy.

3. Burritos are the perfect way to re-invent leftovers.

4. You can never have too much cheese in a burrito!

Zesty Chicken Burritos

Zesty Chicken Burritos
(by Reeni)

Cheesy Rice:
1/2 cup Brown Rice, uncooked
1 cup Sharp Cheddar or Pepper Jack

Burritos:
1/2 yellow onion, diced
Olive Oil for sauting
1 - 15 ounce can Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
2-3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Chile powder
1 can Refried Beans, heated
Burrito size Tortillas
1-2 cups Sharp Cheddar, shredded, for serving
Optional Fixin's: Lettuce, Tomato, Salsa, and Avocado for serving

Sour Cream Sauce:
4 ounces Cream Cheese
3/4 cup Sour Cream
1 tablespoon fresh Cilantro or Parsley, fresh, chopped
fresh squeezed lime juice

1. Cook the rice according to package directions. Add the cheese in at the very end. Put the lid on the pan and allow it to melt. Stir until combined well. If it gets too thick add a tablespoon of milk and stir.

2. Saute the onion in Olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet until soft and tender. Add the Ro-tel including the juices, the chicken, oregano and Chile Powder. Heat through.

3. To make the sauce soften the cream cheese in the microwave, whisk in the sour cream, a generous squeeze of lime juice and the cilantro or parsley.

4. Assemble the burritos: put a strip of beans down the center of the tortilla, top with cheese, rice, and chicken. Fold in the ends and roll up.

5. Wrap the tortillas and heat in a 325 degree oven until warm or pan-fry them in a greased skillet over medium heat on each side. Serve with sour cream sauce and fixin's if desired.


Zesty Chicken Burritos



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88 comments:

Karine said...

You have a great combo of flavors in your burritos!

I definitively don't eat enough burritos. I miss out something delicious/

Fresh Local and Best said...

I love burritos, especially ones layered with cheesy rice.

Chow and Chatter said...

oh wow these look amazing love the cheese he he

Heather said...

man, burritos are overlooked in my diet, too! these look super tasty! i'll definitely try them :)

Kim said...

These are definitely blog-worthy!! Sometimes we overlook the most delicious things. This looks really yummy :D

Wandering Coyote said...

OMG, I can't tell you how good this looks to me right now! I have so many left-over chicken carcasses in the freezer, I'm definitely going to make something like this with them!

Helene said...

That's a big burrito. Looks so yummy.

Kelly said...

Mmmm. Reeni, those sound delicious. I cannot believe you almost didn't post them. You're making me realize that I definitely overlook burritos a lot as well. I have a wealth of squash on hand and it's making me think I should make it into some veggie burritos to freeze for lazy days.

Pumpkin said...

I'll have to make these- burritos are just about Kyle's favorite food. I'll bet I could even wrap individual leftover burritos in parchment/plastic wrap and freeze them for him to bring for lunch at work- it'd be a healthier alternative to regular frozen burritos.

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious...wait until you try the Hot Rotel...it gives everyting a little kick..I can't wait to try these..

KennyT said...

I'm so grateful that you'd decided to post it, thank you for sharing!

Cate said...

yum! we love burritos around here. the cheese, the soft tortillas? what could be better? your look really delish. will have to try this version, maybe without the chilis (kiddies would protest). so glad you posted this.

5 Star Foodie said...

These burritos look yummy, extra cheese sounds good to me!

BeadedTail said...

Burritos are a huge hit in our house but they never look like that! We will certainly be trying this recipe!

Barbara Bakes said...

This does sound yummy!

Sara said...

These look awesome! My hubby is a big fan of burritos. I can't wait to make this recipe. Mmmm.

maybelle's mom said...

heck yeah on number 4; cheese rules the day.

nora@ffr said...

these chicken buritos sound amazing!! i shud try this sometime sooner!! my husband would love it as hes a huge fan of chicken! love the combo reeni :)
cheers!!

the ungourmet said...

Mmm! We are big burrito fans over here and Rotel tomatoes with green chilies do ROCK!

Sophia said...

I might have overlooked burritos too. Actually, I don't think I've ever eaten them before! I really need to!!!

Ivy said...

I just had breakfast and yet I have a huge appetite for these burritos. Yum!

Jamie said...

Oh my they look heavenly! I just had a burrito while in Florida and I agree totally that we should eat those luscious, savory babies more often! Yours look out of this world and I love everything that you've stuffed into yours! Fab! I'm over for lunch!

My Little Space said...

Hi Reeni, can you please tell me the differences between stromboli, enchiladas & burritos? They look almost the same!

Joanne said...

So now in addition to being the queen of Italian food, you are also the Queen of Tex-Mex. This is why I adore you.

I love the idea of the sour cream sauce. Sounds heavenly.

Kristin said...

One of these days you really must come to Texas! Hope you are doing well. Your blog continues to amaze and inspire me. Hugs to you!

Queen B. said...

I'M COMING OVER FOR LUNCH !!!!!!!!
YUM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I love the looks of this chicken burritos..

Call Me Cate said...

The burritos look really yummy. And Ro-tel is seriously my hero. I could just sit and eat buckets of the stuff. Mmm, I think I know what I want for dinner now.

sherri said...

Great photos as usual!

This does look great but I wouldn't have been surprised. I LOVE ROTEL (I use it in my chili too!) and I eat alot of burritos to use up my leftovers. YUM!

Fitness Foodie said...

Yummy. I just love burritos, so comforting and tasty. Yours looks great.

Vrinda said...

Totally new to me..looks delish,nice appetizer...

Palidor said...

These do look exceptionally good! Yup, you can never have too much cheese. Very creative of you to mix sour cream and cream cheese!

Shannon said...

ooh, i'll have to try those tomatoes :) i don't eat enough burritos, either!

doggybloggy said...

oh man oh man oh man -(thats the same as me saying mmmmmmmmmmm)

Cynthia said...

Lovely!

stephchows said...

mmmmmm there used to be a burrito place around here that had ones the size of my head... so tasty! Yours look great!

appropriated.muffin said...

mmmm burritos are something i wish i ate more often. (the healthy ones anyways). yours looks absolutely amazing!! love the cheesy rice... :)

Dawn said...

yum yum yum! burritos of any combo are eaten in this house at least 2x a week. so you can imagine how excited I am to see this one. YES

Bob said...

Why would you have not blogged these, they look wicked good! I've never used those Ro-Tel mixed tomatoes either, I keep meaning to get some.

The Double Dipped Life said...

Yum! Those look so good! I could eat burritos at every meal...

Elra said...

Reeny, will you sent some over please. That really look delicious!

OysterCulture said...

they look good to me and living in SF consider myself something of an aficionado. =)

Juliana said...

What a nice looking burritos...love specially the sauce...cream cheese and sour cream? My mouth is watering!

Faith said...

I have to say, I don't think I eat burritos enough! (I can't remember the last time I had one.) These look sooooo good, I'm about to change that! :)

Natashya KitchenPuppies said...

They look great! Burritos are overlooked in our diets too.
I don't know if we have Ro-Tel here, it sounds funny to me - like the K-Tel ads from the 70's!

The Blonde Duck said...

I am totally making these this weekend!!! Please publish a cookbook. I'll read it on the treadmill as I eat everything from it!

Tasty Eats At Home said...

Never underestimate the power of a yummy burrito. I love burritos! I just found brown rice tortilla wraps for my tortilla substitute, so I might have to make these!

Danielle said...

your burrito looks and sounds wonderful...but I think that sour cream sauce...omg...what a great addition!!

redkathy said...

Your burritos look fabulous! I never once prepared or ate a sour cream sauce. You make it sound so good, I'm going to have to try it. Traditionally, I do a thin red spicy sauce on all burritos.

Ro-tel is the bomb! Makes tex mex food prep a snap too.

teresa said...

oh my goodness, blogworthy indeed! i cannot wait to try these!

Catherine said...

Reeni, this looks simply mouth watering! Another fine dish! :)

Katy ~ said...

LOL about burritos being overlooked in your diet. Such a flexible and adaptable food. Your photographs are stunning. Makes the burritos look too good for mere mortals.

Kerstin said...

Oh, that last picture is making my mouth water - they look fabulous and I'm glad you posted the recipe :)

Esi said...

I always forget that I shouldn't look at your blog when I am hungry. Now I want Mexican food!

unconfidentialcook said...

We love burritos...and I keep trying to post but our photos come out so badly. Yours are great. And the burritos look delish!

dddiva said...

They look delicious- I have never had rice in my burritos will have to try it.

Maria said...

We love making burritos. A great quick meal!

Claudia said...

You make Tex-Mex too enticing. I love a good burrito - especially as the weather turns and I can see why you were delighted by them - so delicious and warm.

noobcook said...

A good burrito like yours make a great and flexible meal any time of the day :)

Angie said...

Looks very good! I love burritos, and I really like the cheesy rice, and so would my son, he is cheese crazy!

Jenn said...

Well I'm glad you posted these. Otherwise I wouldn't be drooling over them at close to 1am in the morning.

Laila said...

Looks absolutely delicious .. a must try ..
Laila .. http://lailablogs.com/

lisaiscooking said...

I eat burritos out at restaurants so often that I never make them at home. This just convinced me I need to be making them at home too! Looks delicious!

Mammy said...

This looks great. Love to check your blog and see what's cookin'. Thanks for coming by to visit. I entered your name in the drawing. Come back often!

Lucky Lady said...

I printed the burritos look so yummy i just have to try them

Heavenly Housewife said...

This looks so yummy. I love burritos. I find them quite a comfort food actually.

Poetic Shutterbug said...

I like your statement, " you can never have too much cheese." My sentiments exactly. I adore burritos and because it is nearing lunch, I'm going to have to visit my friendly burrito shop up the street. I will try this recipes at some point. Thanks

RE - EntrePOD said...

I'm Sooooooooooo Lovin Your New look.
now that Burrito, girlllll don't let me have your address or I WILL Be Campin Out for Leftovers.

so do you do the green chicken chili beforehand to smother it ? like the enchiladas ?

Thanksgiving is coming and we're having turkey burritos afterwards. are you ?

Debinhawaii said...

Was just thinking about making chicken enchiladas but your post has me thinking...maybe burritos. They look great!

Claudia said...

I love chicken burritos - so glad you posted. I am craving tasty, warm, comforting Tex-Mex - with extra cheese please.

Gera @ SweetsFoods said...

I agree with the points 1 to 4...and cheese is never enough!!
The burritos are scrumptious - I can eat a dozen at one go ;-)

Cheers!

Gera

bella said...

I like to make homemade chicken burritos at home too....but I've never thought about adding Rotel in them. That's a great idea to spice them up! Thanks for the great tip! Hope you're doing well in NY!! ~ Roz PS Do you have a button/badge so that I can place it on my blog?

Di said...

Yummy...the burritos look so delicious!! I love the cilantro lime accent! I've gotta make your recipe SOON!

By the way, I grew up eating Ro-tel...My Mom used to cook so many different meals with Ro-tel! Good stuff!

Jessie said...

oh I can just hear those delicious burritos calling my name! great flavors and spices, I'm loving the cheesy rice used in here too

Melody said...

How do you always make your food so dang pretty?!?! The burrito looks so delicious. I'm glad you posted it!

Sophie said...

MMMMMMMMMMM,...your chicken stuffed burrito's look wonderful,..they look like Dürums, filled with chicken & vegetables!! I so love them,...Reeni!!

Coleen's Recipes said...

This sounds delicious. I've never used rotels with chilies before either, how much kick do they have?

Megan said...

I want a burrito! Please? :)

Lo said...

Gosh, that last photo has me drooling... love burritos, and these look like they'd make it to the top of the heap. Great stuff, Reeni!!

girlichef said...

These look awesome, Reeni!!! I would love to chow down on one of these babies :D

Adrienne said...

how did i miss this post? this is my kind of food! great idea to brown them after stuffing.

Jennifer (Savor) said...

Ok, you caught me at zesty but then I mean, honestly, making hte statement that there is never too much cheese is so true!!! We are cheese sisters. :)

petite nyonya said...

Wow, this wrap must be so delicious. I love how stuffed it is with all the fillings! Yummy!

Live.Love.Eat said...

I ALWAYS have rotel in my pantry. I use it in an artichoke dip, in other dips, in Mexican dishes. I sometimes just cook it with whole grain brown rice to jazz it up a bit. LOVE it!

comfycook said...

I look at every recipe with two things in mind Is it:
gluten free
can it be made kosher?

I can get the dairy products again in a non dairy form. I am not so sure about the burritos.

I am going to look into this because these look fantastic.

Maybe, it is your also fantastic photos.

comfycook said...

I just wrote a book here and I got a message, "are you sure you want to move away from....?" I said, "no". Well, I am still here but my longish message is gone. I am hoping it has gone to your for approval.

Summary - love your recipes and photos.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

What a delicious looking meal! You are making me so hungry. I should make more burritos too:)

martina said...

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