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Baked Chicken Chimichangas are like a crispy burrito, stuffed with chicken + cheese. Everyone will love this simple restaurant-style recipe!
Crispy, Baked Chicken Chimichangas are simple to make and are so delicious! Packed full of your favorite fillings, these Chimis are great for dinner and are perfect served with some homemade Salsa and Guacamole!
A family favorite!
Our family loves good Mexican food! Being Hispanic, Mexican food was something I grew up on. One of our favorite dishes happens to be Chimichangas!
Our favorite Chimis have chicken, but we also love making shredded beef and bean versions as well.
What are chimichangas? A Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito that is popular in Tex-Mex, Southwestern U.S. cuisine, especially here in Arizona.
Customize the flavor to suit your tastes by using your favorite salsa (we use a traditional medium salsa, however, salsa verde would be delicious too)!
They’re easy to whip up thanks to Knorr® Rice Sides ™. You need just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes for these delicious Baked Chimichangas. Simple, right?!
How to Make Chimichangas
This is a very simple Baked Chimichanga version. Yes, these can be fried, but we prefer this lighter, healthier version.
PREP. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
CHICKEN MIXTURE. In a large bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken with salsa, cumin, and oregano. Set aside.
RICE. Prepare your Knorr® Fiesta Sides™rice according to package directions (cover and simmer for 7 minutes) or rice recipe. Remove from heat.
WRAP & BAKE. Stir in the chicken mixture and cheese. Divide the mixture between Flour Tortillas, wrap and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet. Brush with the remaining oil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
TOPPINGS. Serve with your favorite toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, chopped green onion, chopped lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges.
Variations
Here are our favorite ways to change up the recipe:
- Cheese. Substitute or pair with cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or a fiesta cheese blend.
- Sauce. Add a few tablespoons of enchilada sauce to the mixture or drizzle the sauce over the Baked Chimichanga.
- Meat. The chicken can be substituted with an equal amount of shredded pork or beef.
- Tortilla. These bake best in a flour tortilla, but if frying you can use either flour or corn tortillas.
Recipe Tips
Folding a Baked Chimichanga. It’s just like folding a burrito. Place the meat and rice in the middle of the open tortilla. Fold up the bottom of the tortilla over that mixture, then fold both sides in towards the middle and roll up.
Fry Chimichangas. Baking is perfect for getting the same great taste, without added calories. However, if you’re feeling a little indulgent you can easily fry the Chimichangas instead.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 2 inches of vegetable oil.
- Place the filled and folded Chimichanga seam side down in the oil.
- Turn every 30 seconds until golden brown on all sides. Enjoy!
Air fryer. Aside from baking, the air fryer is another great way to get a crisp Chimichanga without frying it in oil.
- Fold the Chimichangas as directed and spray/brush each side with olive oil.
- Working in batches, fry the chimichangas at 400°F for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway.
Storing Info + Side Ideas
FREEZE. Baked Chicken Chimichangas make a perfect freezer meal. They do not need to be pre-baked.
Wrap each individual Chimichanga in foil, put them in a freezer bag, and label them. Freeze for up to 6 months.
To reheat Oven Baked Chimichangas.
- Microwave. Warm them up in 30-second increments to a minute.
- Oven. Pull the desired amount out of the freezer. Preheat the oven and bake at 425°F. If frozen, bake for 35-40 minutes. If thawed, bake for 20-25 minutes.
Re-brush them with oil to make them crispier.
What to serve with chimichangas? Here are some of our favorites:
- Sour Cream Rice
- Homemade Salsa
- Homemade Flour Tortillas
- Easy Refried Beans
- Homemade Pico de Gallo
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Recipe FAQ
They’re similar in that they’re made from a folded flour tortilla usually filled with meat, cheese, and other ingredients. The main difference is that chimichangas are deep fried, although in this case it’s baked. 😉
Instead of using packaged rice, you can use homemade. We love to use leftover Spanish Rice in ours! It ends up being about 2 1/2 cups prepared (or half that unprepared).
Place the meat and rice in the middle of the open flour tortilla. Fold up the bottom of the tortilla over that mixture, then fold both sides in towards the middle and roll up.
For more chimi & BURRO recipes, try:
- Bean Chimichangas
- Green Chili Smothered Burritos
- Breakfast Burrito
- Green Chili Burrito
- Cheesecake Chimichanga
- Chimichanga
Baked Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup chicken cooked and shredded
- 2/3 cup salsa
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil divided
- 1 package Knorr® Fiesta Sides™ – Spanish Rice
- 1 1/4 cup colby jack cheese shredded
- 4 flour tortillas burrito sized
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken with salsa, cumin, and oregano. Set aside.
- Prepare your Knorr® Fiesta Sides™rice according to package directions (cover and simmer for 7 minutes) or rice recipe. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the chicken mixture and cheese. Divide the mixture between flour tortillas, wrap and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet. Brush with the remaining oil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What will you make with Knorr Rice Sides? Tag your creations with #Knorr – we’d love to see them! For more simple & tasty Knorr® inspired recipes hop on over to Allrecipes.com. Also, be sure to follow Knorr® on Pinterest!!
I get requests for these delicious and healthy chimichangas frequently. It is one of my go-to dishes.
I was trying to figure out what I wanted to make for Cinco de Mayo and came across this Baked Chicken Chimichanga recipe. We love chimichangas and I didn’t think twice about making this recipe. It was absolutely delicious and I didn’t stop with this recipe, I made your fantastic Spanish Rice recipe as a side to go with it. Everyone absolutely loved it! I’ll definitely be making these all the time.
These were delicious, but I left out the rice since I didn’t have any (,could have sworn I did). I added a can of mild green chiles and garlic powder. Reheated perfectly in the air fryer. Will be on repeat around here!
I want to make this recipe tonight, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out the oil. It says to “divide the oil,” but the only place in the recipe instructions I can find anything about oil is where it says to brush the tops of the tortillas with the “remaining oil.” I swear I have read this recipe 100 times and can’t figure it out! LOL HELP
Love this recipe! I double it and freeze half for another meal. I’ve added black beans and corn to make the recipe stretch even further. Delicious!
Those additions sound delicious! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Made this with Zatarain’s Spanish rice and it was so good! It’s simple to make & easy to dress up or serve as is!
Great option!! Thank you!
I have made these several times now but today was the first time I used the Knorr Mexican Rice as I usually use the Old El Paso Mexican Rice. I actually think the Old El Paso has better flavour.
This did not distract from how great this recipe is. The first time I made them, it was a surprise how good they were. Now I just keep making them 🙂
Thanks for a great and easy recipe !
You’re welcome! Thanks for the feedback. I’m so happy to hear you enjoy the chimichangas!
Yumm!!!
Baking mine now!
Easy to prepare and my husband and I loved them. So tasty!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear they were a hit… and husband-approved! 🙂
Hi, I. SO glad to ran across this site of yours. these are the recipe that I love making and love eating them and they are so easy to make .my favorite one is the chicken taco. i love so much 😍 thank you for your easy recipes..thank you so much and hope you have a nice day.
Oh you’re welcome! I’m so glad you found the site and are enjoying the recipes! Thanks for being here.
Oh gee, can’t wait to try this! Thank you!!!
You’re so welcome!! Hope you enjoy them!
These are our favorite chimichangas!
Quick, easy, and full of flavor
I agree! Chimichangas are basically deep fried burritos. They’re usually served topped with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole, and a side of Mexican rice.
Concrete Companies Colorado Springs
i try this for my kids! Absolutely
Great recipe we enjoyed it very easy that’s just a little confused on the rice says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! After you make the rice according to the package directions, stir in the chicken mixture and cheese with the rice and then place that mixture in the tortilla. I hope that helps!
My pickiest kiddo loves to eat this which means it’s a win for this mama
Excellent!
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
Really this blog post is more halpfull for me and These were very good! My kids ate them in record time and asked if there would be any leftovers! This makes a great dinner when you’re pressed for time. It came together so fast! I used rotisserie chicken breast that I picked up marked down half price at Kroger, so it made for a cheap meal, too. Adding the sauce over the top at the end was a nice way to keep them from being too crispy. I just added a little sour cream when I served it, and it was great! Some fat-free refried beans and some Spanish rice on the side would make this a great Mexican meal!
Thank you for saying that! I am so glad the whole family liked them!
My husband declared these “fantastic’ and they really were. I cooked the chicken in the instant pot using the recipe from this site. Other than spreading some refried beans before adding the filling, I changed nothing. Definitely a keeper!
Glad it’s a keeper 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know that! Thank you!!
Absolutely amazing! My husband raved about these for days. Even my picky 10 year old grandson loved them! Definitely a keeper and so easy to make.
Oh, that makes me so happy! Happy it’s a keeper! Thank you!
Recipe is missing information. Remaining oil….. what happened to the initial oil?
I use the initial tablespoon to cook my chicken. Hope that helps 🙂
I cannot get your Chimichanga recipe to show on your website. I can see other recipes on your site….strange.
Hmm..that’s interesting. It pulls up on my end. I hope you can get it!
Amazing Recipe! I love chicken but the way your making “BAKED CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS” is so yummy and so delicious.
Thank you so much!!
Wanted to try SOmething new, this is an amazing addition to our cookbook. The one thinG i did differently is cooked the chicken in an instapot with chicken broth, This made the chicken juicy aNd very easy to shred. I also split the chicken/rice mixture into 2 bowls so i could use the salsa i like for me and the Spicy salsa for my husband. Overall great meal, pretty easy to make. Turned out Excellent!
That is perfect! Thank you for sharing what you did! Happy you liked it!
This recipe is delish. And once I made this my mind just started going a mile a minute with ideas for fillings from breakfast to dessert. It’s just my Husband & I now at home now that the kid’s are grown, so it’s great to have a recipe like this that’s perfect for the Freezer. Thank you for your Wonderful Site you created & all your Delicious Recipes that you took the time to test & share with us.
God Bless From Wisconsin 💛
Thank you so much for your sweet words. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe and can freeze it! I imagine cooking changes a bit going from feeding a growing family to just the two of you now. Thank you again!!
THEY LOOKS YUMMY!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING.. ?
You are so welcome!! They are! I hope you think so, too!
We loved them! Topped with low-fat sour cream, avocado, and cilantro! I used 5 burrito tortillas to decrease the amount of calories in each. I used canned chicken because of the covid-19 quarantine and we both really loved them. I wrapped 2 in tinfoil and froze them to be heated up at a later date! Thank you! This was a great meal and so easy to make with non-perishables. 🙂
Sounds great!! Thanks for sharing what you did!
nice racipee! so yummy
Thank you so much for sharing that!!
I must try this , I love to eat Different delicious food. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome & I do too! Hope you like these 🙂
LOve this MEal! So Easy and Delicious!
Happy you do! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Love this recipe. Made it several times. I also add refried beans to it.
Adding beans is a great addition! I am happy you liked them! Thank you!
Love this recipe. Made it several times. I also add refried beans to it.
Refried beans would be great! So happy you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!
Great food PICS. It looks so good.
Thank you 🙂
So easy and full of flavor.
Glad you liked them! Thank you 🙂
This is soooo awesome, made it 2 weeks ago and loved it. Making it tomorrow again.
Thank you young lady
You are so welcome!! I am glad you like them 🙂 Thank you for trying them & for letting me know!
nice recipe i just cant wait to make it at my home thanks for adding one more amazing recipe to my chicken recipe list..
I am glad I could 🙂 Thank you so much & I hope you like it!
This was a hit! I topped with queso, yum! Oh…and i used ground turKey.
Sounds yum!! I will have to try that! Thank you!
These are my new fav! Super tasty!
So easy to make and my family loves them! First time i made these my husband said to add these into our rotation. Knew it was a winner when he said that! ?
Woohoo!! I am happy it is in the rotation 🙂 Tell him, thank you!!
YOur recipes are so simple and delicious! My family loves going on your blog and choosing our weekly menu!! Thanks for sharing! Yummy
Yum! I love these chimis!
OH my goodness!!! I need these in my life asap. they look so easy to make.
cant wait to try these! chimi’s are one of my favorite things to order when eating out.
Hope you try them soon & love them, as much as we do!
I am going to the store tomorrow to buy all of these ingredients! I can’t wait!
Hope you liked them! Thank you!
Love these! My family eats them right up!
Chimichangas are my favorite!! I get them at any Mexican food restaurants! I am so happy that I can make them at home. These are so good & I love everything in it!
If your trying to make your chimis healthier this is your rEcipe. It taste just as good as a regular chimi without the fat and you dont have to compromise On taste!
These were so good! I love that you posted a recipe to make these baked instead of fried. Ill Defiinitely be making these again.
Maybe i didnt reaD this Clearly, but i didnt see when the rice comes in. STep two tells us when to prepare, but do we add It to the chicken mixture Or plate it to have as a side?
Making this now, i added it to the chicken mixture. Made my Home made pico de gallo as the salsa and ised “mexican” cheese mixture found here in canada. Cant wait to try.
Yes, you mix it with the chicken mixture 🙂 I sure hope you like them, as much as we do!!
my all time best chicken seems a amazing recipe thanks for sharing..
You are so welcome!! They are so delicious! Enjoy!
hey! KRISTYN MERKLEY I love chicken you added one more Dish to my One an only chicken
Thanks so much!!
Has become my favorite recIpe. We have been making different versions every Tuesday for a month now.
Yay!! I am so glad to hear that! That sounds great..there are so many things you could add or take out, to make different ones every time. Thank you for sharing that!
I’ve never made Chimis before but Im so glad I did! They turned out crunchy and yummy. I used ground beef cooked up with chopped ONIONS rather than chicken.. This was way better than anything ive had at a mexican restaurant! I definitely will be making this again! Thank you!
Perfect!! They’d be great with beef! I am glad you tried them. Thank you so much!
This is definitely one of my (& the whole family’s) new favorite recipes! It’s so easy and absolutely scrumptious! I have a feeling it will be requested often!
We love them too! I am so glad your family liked them 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know!
There are only two of us & most of your recipes are 8 servings. Other wise all is great!
You can always cut in half or freeze some 🙂 Thank you!
Wonderful, easy to make I will make this again cooked a little less, thank you for all your wonderful recipes
Sorry 5 star
Awe, you are so nice! Thank you so much. I am glad to share 🙂
I am unable to buy Knorr Mexican rice
And wonder what I can substitute it with?
Thank you
You could just use any rice, really or make/find some Spanish rice. That would still be good 🙂
I’m so glad that you provided a recipe that involves baking. My whole family loved these. I made extra to put in the freezer to bake on another day.
Chimichangas are my favorite! I get one at any Mexican restaurant! I am so excited to make them in my own home. These were full of flavor & I love that I can change the meat or add more ingredients to change it up each time.
These are super tasty and one of my favorite things to eat!
Great food photos. It looks so good.
Thank you 🙂 It tastes super good too!
Excellent recipe!!! I just made it last night from the items I had on hand in the pantry and everyone loved it. Here are the alterations I made: my rice was homemade Spanish rice since I didn’t have what the recipe called for; I didn’t have any cheese so I skipped that; I used extra virgin olive oil. Excellent – a new keeper for my recipe box 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sounds perfect!! Thanks for sharing that. I am glad you liked it!
Recipe Your Chimichanga Chicken Barbecue is great! look so beautyful and interesting!
Thank you!! I hope you will give it a try 🙂
I like this dish, it’s great.
I’ll be making this soon as I get the ingredients, chimichanga’s are my favorite Mexican food. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for posting.
Glad to share!! They are so good! I hope you like them!!
Look delicious and tasty.
So rating it 5 star. I want one.
Thank you so much!! They really are 🙂 Hope you will try this recipe!
This guide is amazing! Yummy and tasty chicken chimichangas.
Thank you so much!!
I didn’t have any chicken at the moment, but I had refried beans and that rice you mentioned, so I figured I’d make an altered version of this. These were so good! I can’t believe I’d never thought to bake burritos before. Such a cheap, simple meal, and it was so delicious. This has inspired so many other meal ideas based on this. Thank you! Next time we have chicken, I’ll try these the way they were meant to be made. 😀
I am so glad I could inspire you 🙂 Thank you for sharing!! I’m glad you liked them!
Excelente, adorei as dicas, vou fazer para meus filhos.
hmmmm It looks really good, I’ll do it at home
They are so good!! Let me know what you think!
Can you make this with zatarains rice with diced tomatoes in it
You sure could 😉 Enjoy!!
tried it, best thing ever taste
thanks
Yay, I am so glad!! Thank you for trying them!!
I just made this for dinner for my family and it was a huge hit! I did a mix of chicken and steak and it was delicious! Thanks for posting!!!
That sounds great, mixing the two! I am so glad your family liked it! Thank you!
Do you mix the rice with the chicken and cheese?
I replaced the knorr brand with a non gmo version of Spanish rice from Lundberg and these were incredible. Yummy! Thank you for the deliscious and simple recipe.
Perfect!! Thank you for sharing! I am so glad you liked them!
So beautiful and tasty
Thank you so much!!!
Tried these tonight A+++next time with shrimp thanks for the post
Thank you so much for trying them & letting me know!! So glad you liked them!
You are so welcome & thank very good.
Hi, I see someone has asked before but I don’t see a reply. How much finished rice do you get? I can’t get that kind of rice in Scotland so need to make my own. Thanks!
I think it’s about 2 1/2 cups of rice in that package. I hope that helps. You could add as little or as much as you like 🙂
Looks yummy and tasty.
Thanks so much!! They really are!
I can’t wait to try these!
I have made Indian fry bread, but mine come out like rubber. How do you prevent that.
I’m not sure? I haven’t had that issue, so I’m not sure what causes that. Here is the recipe we use…https://lilluna.com/homemade-indian-fry-bread/. Not sure what recipe you used, but I won’t use any other one than this. Good luck!
Looks yummy and tasty. I need that one.
You need to try it! Thank you & I’d love to know what you think!
Baked Chicken Chimichangas is sounded so Delicious. I have to try it at home. I hope I do it nicely.
I hope you like them!!! We love them! Thank you for stopping by!
Amazing Recipe! I love chicken but the way your making “BAKED CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS” is so yummy and so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome & thank you!
Can your Cafe Rio chicken recipe be used for these chimis?
It sure can 🙂 YUM!
Thank you so much for this recipe!!! It’s become a family favorite and has helped me get my roommates to try more healthy dinners(no more hamburger helper!) Thank you thank you thank you!!! <3 add spicy guac and it makes it perfect for (my) picky eaters.
Spicy guac=yum! So glad they like them! Thank you for letting me know!
I LOVE chimichangas! They are my all-time favorite Mexican food! I will definitely have to give these a try! Adding them to the menu now!
You’ll love them! Let me know what you think! Thank you!
Delicious and I like the idea of baking them.
I am trying to get the recipe for the Baked Chicken Chimichangas on your site. It will not show up. Would you please send it to my email. Looks delicious. Thanks
Need to make these they sound awesome but I cannot see the recipe on here. No problems with the other recipes just this one.
Looks great but the recipe doesn’t show! I would love to try it but…
Cannot see the Baked Chicken Chimichanga recipe…..other are fine
I cannot get your Chimichanga recipe to show on your website. I can see other recipes on your site….strange.
There is no recipe here on this page. Please fix it. I would like to see it and possibly try it.
Love these delicious chicken and rice chimichangas!
We do too!! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Made this recipe but added a can of re fried beans. It was easy and delicious!
Great idea! I’m glad you liked them! Thank you for trying them!
how many calories?
I am sorry, I don’t have a calorie count 🙁
That delights of food … even gives to hunger. I loved the recipe!
Love this ❤️
Thank you!!
Made these tonight for the first time and despite the fact I’m the only one in my family of 5 that likes rice, EVERYBODY loved these! Doubled the batch to have left overs for tomorrow 🙂
That’s great!! Thank you for sharing and for trying them! So, glad everyone liked them!
Made these but instead of salsa i used enchilada green chili sause, mixed with the chicken and poured on top of burrito. Burrito was so good! My husband loved it to.
That sounds great! I’ll have to try that! Thanks so much!
I like to go, I love Mexican food.
It’s our favorite!! Thanks for stopping by!
about how much cooked rice is that total?
2 1/2 cups prepared rice; half of that unprepared.
has anyone made a bunch of these and frozen for easy reheating.?
I haven’t, but I bet they would do fine. I’ll have to try next time!
I freeze my breakfast burritos in large numbers, for reheating later so it’s basically the same thing. It’s very easy to do! I wrap them not in foil, but in waxed paper. Then I pile them up in gallon freezer bags. She has instructions up above on how to cook frozen chimis. I do NOT recommend using the microwave to reheat. It will lose its crispyness and will either be like a wet dishcloth in texture or hard and chewy like a dog’s rawhide. lol!
Made these last night. I have one in the refridge to eat as left overs today for lunch and I am counting down the hours until lunch. They are soooo tasty. My husband who is on overtime right now and is so tired came home and gobbled this up and said this was awesome. Thank you. Will be making these on the regular.
Oh, I’m so glad!! Thank you so much for letting me know and for giving them a try!! We love them too 🙂
I made this for the first time this even for dinner. We loved it. Even my extremely picky toddler ate his entire portion (a miracle)! Are these able to be frozen? I would love to have some stored for quick and easy heat-up if so!
That makes me happy to hear! I haven’t personally put them in the freezer, but they should be able to. Thanks so much for letting me know and trying them!
These are amazing! We tried this recipe a couple months ago and loved it! We have mixed it up a few times with different fillings and everyone loves them! The tortillas have the perfect amount of crunch on the outside, while the inside stays moist and flavorful! Thank you for this!
Thanks!!! That’s the great thing…they can be changed every single time! SO glad you like them! Thanks for letting me know!
We made these tonight and loved them! Do you know how many calories are in them? They were delicious!
Glad you liked them!! I don’t know and probably shouldn’t know 😉 Sorry!!
That’s not a good sign, but I will make this on my chest day! LOL
I made these exactly as directed but used smaller flour torts, and they came out delicious! I only used about half the filling, so the next day I made chimi-ladas! I followed all the steps, but instead of brushing with oil and baking, I placed them side-by-side in a baking dish, covered with green enchilada sauce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and green onions, and baked them for about 30 minutes. It was great that way as well!
Oh, that is such a great idea!! Thank you for sharing that!!
Making these today. Used a Spanish rice recipe found on pinterest. I’m using taco sauce instead of the salsa, because I don’t like it. So hope it’s good. Thanks for the recipe
Sounds good!! Let me know what you think!! Thank you!
I made this last night and let me tell you it was amazing, I didn’t have any chicken so I used Hamburger and I also used my homeade salsa. It was so simple and delicious. Thank for this fantastic recipe.
That sounds delish!! I’ll have to try that! Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to try these!
Hope you love them, as much as we do!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!