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Cheesy Ground Chicken and Rice Burritos Recipe

4.6 from 144 reviews

These Cheesy Ground Chicken and Rice Burritos combine tender ground chicken sautéed with bell peppers, onions, and spices, mixed with flavorful salsa verde, chipotle sauce, and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, all wrapped in large flour tortillas for a hearty and delicious Tex-Mex meal perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Vegetables

  • 1 tbsp. Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil)
  • 8 oz. Ground Chicken
  • 1/2 cup chopped Red Bell Pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped White Onion
  • 1 tbsp. finely chopped Jalapeño Pepper (optional)

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt (or Sea Salt, plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin

Filling

  • 1 cup Cooked White Rice
  • 1/4 cup Salsa Verde (or your favorite salsa)
  • 1 tbsp. Chipotle Sauce
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Wrap

  • 4 Extra Large (Burrito-Sized) Flour Tortillas

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Chicken and Vegetables: Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground chicken, chopped red bell peppers, chopped white onions, and chopped jalapeño. Add a pinch of salt, and cook for 7-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables have softened. Break the chicken into small pieces as it cooks to ensure even mixing with the vegetables.
  2. Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and ground cumin to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the seasonings and enhance their flavor.
  3. Add Filling and Flavor: Add the cooked white rice, salsa verde, and chipotle sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together evenly, then taste and adjust salt if needed. Turn the heat off.
  4. Assemble Burritos: Place a large flour tortilla on a flat surface. Spoon an equal portion of the chicken and rice mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle a mixture of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the filling.
  5. Fold and Serve: Fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll it tightly from one end to the other to form a burrito. Optionally, you may place burritos seam-side down in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes to crisp the exterior and melt cheese further before serving.

Notes

  • Ground chicken can be swapped for ground turkey or lean ground beef depending on preference.
  • Red bell pepper provides sweetness that complements the spicy elements, but green bell pepper or no peppers can be used as well.
  • Both white and yellow onions work equally well in this recipe.
  • Cooked brown rice can replace white rice with a slightly nuttier flavor.
  • Salsa verde can be substituted with red salsa or green chiles based on availability and taste preference.
  • If chipotle sauce is unavailable, finely chopped chipotles in adobo sauce can be used cautiously as they may be spicier.
  • For a crispier burrito, grill or pan-fry after assembly to melt cheese and create a golden crust.

Keywords: ground chicken burrito, cheesy chicken burrito, chicken and rice burrito, easy Tex-Mex recipe, skillet burritos