Description
Green chili smothered burritos showcase Mexican culinary artistry with tender beef and zesty sauce. Hearty flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each comforting bite of this classic southwestern delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or shredded chicken
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 200 g (2 cups) shredded cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, or a blend)
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken broth
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (or fresh roasted chilies, chopped)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps flour
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Refried beans or cooked rice (optional for filling)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit, creating an ideal thermal environment for the burritos.
- Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions and garlic in a skillet until translucent, releasing their aromatic essence and developing a robust base flavor profile.
- Meat Seasoning: Add shredded meat to the skillet, incorporating cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, thoroughly coating and heating the protein with a vibrant spice blend.
- Filling Assembly: Blend refried or black beans into the seasoned meat mixture, creating a harmonious and creamy filling with rich, layered textures.
- Burrito Construction: Distribute the spiced meat and bean mixture onto tortillas, generously sprinkle cheese, and carefully roll each burrito, positioning them seam-side down in a baking dish to maintain structural integrity.
- Sauce and Cheese Layering: Completely cover the burritos with green chili sauce, then crown with an additional cheese layer to enhance flavor complexity and create a golden, melted topping.
- Baking Process: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden cheese crust.
- Garnish and Serve: Embellish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced tomatoes, presenting the burritos hot and inviting for immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose tender, well-marbled meats like shredded chicken or slow-cooked pork for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- Spice Balance Technique: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding cumin and chili powder, tasting as you go to prevent overpowering heat.
- Tortilla Warming Hack: Briefly warm tortillas on a skillet before filling to prevent cracking and enhance flexibility during rolling.
- Cheese Melting Pro Tip: Use a blend of Mexican cheeses like queso fresco and monterey jack for a more complex, authentic melting profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg