Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Chicken Burritos Mojados (Mexican Flag Burritos)

Burritos Mojados (Mexican Flag Burritos)

I told you guys I had an insane recipe to share this week, and this is it.  These burritos.  Oh man, they are something special.  They are filled with chicken, beans, rice, cheese, and avocado, then draped in three sauces that are inspired by the colors of the Mexican flag.  The red sauce is homemade red chile enchilada sauce, the green is roasted tomatillo salsa, and the white is Mexican crema.  Together they form perfect Mexican food harmony.  The smoky spiciness of the enchilada sauce complements the bright fresh tanginess from the salsa verde, and the smooth and creamy crema ties everything together.  I'm pretty sure that after every bite, I proclaimed these to be one of the best things I've ever made, and kept telling Joey "it's just like we're at a mexican restaurant!"

Burritos Mojados (Mexican Flag Burritos) 

These do take a bit of prep work, but it's all pretty well streamlined, and none of it's difficult or tedious.  You could even prep these in advance - make the salsa (or buy it, I promise I won't tell), make the sauce, cook and shred the chicken, and cook the rice.  Then just assemble and bake when you're ready.  The assembled burritos can also be prepped a few hours in advance as well.

I hope you're planning an all-out feast for Cinco de Mayo, and I think these burritos should be required.  They are something different than the typical tacos or fajitas, and totally worthy of a big celebration.  Margaritas not optional!

Burritos Mojados (Mexican Flag Burritos) 

Chicken Burritos Mojados (Mexican Flag Burritos)
adapted from ATK's The Best Mexican Recipes
serves 6

  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 (15-oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 Tbs chile powder
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 1/2 large white onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
  • 6 (10-inch) flour tortillas
  • 2 avocados, halved, pitted, and cut into 1/2inch pieces
  • 8 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups tomatillo salsa
  • water, as needed
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream)
Bring 1 1/4 cups of the broth, rice, beans, 2 teaspoons of chile powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until the rice is tender and the broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat, and allow to sit for 10 minutes, covered.  Stir in the scallions and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and cook until it's just softened, 4-5 minutes.  Stir in the garlic, remaining 3 Tbs chile powder, and cumin, and cook until fragrant, about one minute.  Stir in the tomato sauce and remaining 1 cup of broth and bring to a simmer.  Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low.  Cook until the chicken is cooked through and registers 160 degrees, about 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.  Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, and once it's cool enough to handle, shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.  Taste the red sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the rice and beans mixture, chicken, 1/4 cup of the red sauce, 2 Tbs of the cilantro, and cheese.  Season with salt and pepper and stir well.  

Wrap the tortillas in a damp kitchen towel and microwave until they are warm, about one minute.  

Working 1-2 tortillas at a time, mound 1 cup of the chicken and rice mixture in the center of each tortilla  Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of avocado.  Fold the sides then the bottom of the tortilla over the filling, pulling back on it to tighten around the filling.  Roll tightly into a burrito.  Place the burrito seam side-down on the prepared baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining tortillas.  Cover rightly with foil, and bake until heated throughout, 20 to 30 minutes.

As the burritos are cooking, whisk a little water into the tomatillo salsa if it's thick.  Microwave until hot, about 1 minute.

To serve, distribute the burritos to individual plates.  Pour the tomatillo sauce over half of each burrito, and pour the red sauce over the other half.  Drizzle with cream, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.




5 comments:

Josie said...

OMG, why did you do this to me??? Tonight I am making veggie burritos from Annies site, Friday buffalo nachos from Smells Like Home, and now this is going on the menu for Saturday :-) these are good problems lol

Josie said...

I know what’s on the menu when I get back from vacation!

Josie said...

Oh my word. I need this in my life. Like, yesterday.

Josie said...

Crazy GOOD idea. That was/is a really fun idea. But more important that is one humdinger of a delicious Burrito!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Josie said...

I am 100 PERCENT going to have to make these, but veg-ed up. I am so excited.

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