Description

The Smothered Green Chile Chicken Burrito is a bold and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, smoky green chiles, melted cheese, and a creamy, spiced sauce all wrapped in soft tortillas. Perfect for hearty lunches or cozy dinners, this recipe offers rich authentic flavors and is easy to customize to your taste and dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Filling

2 cups tender chicken breast or thighs, cooked and shredded
1 cup roasted green chile or Hatch chiles, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 cup sour cream or crema

Assembly and Garnishes

6 large flour tortillas (or whole wheat tortillas/low-carb tortillas as variation)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, extra sour cream

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breasts or thighs in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and nicely browned. Once done, shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces for easy wrapping.
Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, building the flavorful foundation for the sauce.
Roast and Chop the Green Chiles: If using fresh green chiles, roast them over an open flame or under a broiler until the skin blisters, then peel and chop them finely to release their smoky spice.
Make the Green Chile Sauce: Create a roux by cooking flour and butter together over medium heat. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth and thickened. Stir in the roasted chiles, cumin, oregano, and sour cream to create a luscious sauce that brings the burrito to life.
Assemble the Burrito: Lay out each tortilla, add a generous layer of the shredded chicken, pour warm green chile sauce over it, and sprinkle with cheese. Roll the burrito tightly to keep all the delicious fillings inside.
Smother and Melt: Place the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish, pour extra green chile sauce on top, then cover with more cheese. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the cheese melts bubbly and golden, about 15-20 minutes, creating that irresistible smothered finish.

Notes

Use Hatch green chiles if possible for authentic New Mexican flavor.
Don’t skip the roux; it’s key to a rich, creamy sauce that clings perfectly to the burrito.
Warm tortillas before rolling to keep them soft and prevent tearing.
Adjust cheese amount to your preference for creaminess.
Let burritos rest a few minutes after baking to set the sauce and avoid burning mouths.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican / Southwestern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 burrito
Calories: 480
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: smothered green chile chicken burrito, Mexican chicken burrito, Hatch chile recipe, southwestern cuisine, baked burritos, spicy chicken burrito