Have you ever had a chimichanga before? These deep-fried burritos are pronounced CHIMI (rhymes with Jimmy) CHAN (rhymes with JOHN) GA (GAH). Please remember this pronunciation if you ever order one at a restaurant. My husband and I were eating at a restaurant in Columbia, MO when a lady across from us ordered a chimichanga, she managed to pronounced it completely wrong several times during her ordering process, while enunciating every syllable (she said CHIMI-CHANG (rhyming with Jane)-GA). I am sure her Hispanic waiter thought she was some dumb gringa. It made me laugh, and it is something I always think of when I see it on the menu.

At restaurants you can find chimichangas filled with shredded chicken, shredded or ground beef, shredded pork, or beans. At home you can fill them with any kind of meat, beans or rice that you are craving. I filled mine with shredded chicken when I made them for dinner, however, the next day I stuffed my tortilla with leftover chicken, black beans and yellow rice –it was better than the original. This recipe is just a guideline, let your creativity inspire you. Check back for my dessert chimichanga.

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGA
serves 6
2 tsp Olive Oil
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
1/2 large onion, chopped
3 Roma tomatoes, diced (or 1/2 c canned diced tomatoes)
2 T green chilies, diced (I found these canned)
1 T cumin
salt & pepper to taste
6 large flour tortillas
Peanut Oil or Vegetable Oil for frying

Heat enameled Dutch oven over medium heat. Add all ingredients. Give them a quick stir to combine and cover for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat, and transfer meat mixture to bowl until mixture has cooled. Shred chicken with two forks.

Heat a couple inches of oil to 375 degrees F. While you are waiting for your oil to heat begin assembling your chimichangas.

Warm both sides of your tortillas on a griddle or for 15 seconds in the microwave. Place about 3/4 c of the mixture in the center of your tortilla.

Fold two sides in over mixture. Fold bottom up over the middle and roll it up.

Place in oil seam side down. (I held my chimichanga down with my spatula to ensure it would not unroll on me) Fry for a couple minutes each side until a beautiful golden brown color is achieved.

Remove from oil and place on paper towels to soak up any extra oil.

Serve with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Like I said earlier these were delicious when I added some rice and beans to the chicken before frying. Be creative. ENJOY!

Here are some of my other Mexican recipes:
Tortas
Beer & Lime Chicken Fajitas
Delicious ground beef recipe for tacos
Idiot Margaritas

What others are cooking up that you might like:
Beef fajitas on the grill from Chaos in the Kitchen
Burrito Casserole from Something’s Burning…
Yum-Yum Taco Bake from Little Calorie