Chicken Chimichangas

🌯✨ Chicken Chimichangas with Grilled Chicken & Homemade Cheese Sauce — The Crispy, Cheesy Dinner You Deserve

Let’s be honest: sometimes dinner needs to be a little extra. Not just “throw‑it‑together pasta” extra, but “crispy, cheesy, saucy, and unapologetically indulgent” extra. That’s where Chicken Chimichangas come in.

Think of them as burritos that went to finishing school. They’re stuffed, rolled, and then fried (or baked if you’re feeling virtuous) until golden and crunchy. But we’re not stopping there — oh no. We’re filling them with juicy grilled chicken and then drenching them in a silky, homemade cheese sauce that makes you want to lick the spoon.

Why this recipe is a keeper:

Crispy + cheesy = happiness.
Restaurant vibes at home.
Customizable fillings.
Kid‑approved, adult‑obsessed.
Perfect for Taco Tuesday, Friday night, or “just because.”

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “smothered chimichanga” or team “dip it in the sauce as you go”?

📜 Recipe — Chicken Chimichangas with Grilled Chicken & Homemade Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

For the chimichangas:

2 cups grilled chicken, chopped
1 cup cooked rice (optional)
1 cup refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
6 large flour tortillas
Oil for frying (or spray for baking)

For the cheese sauce:

2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp chili powder
Salt + pepper to taste

Instructions

Warm tortillas until pliable. Spread beans, rice, chicken, and shredded cheese in the center. Roll tightly, tucking in sides.
Heat oil in a skillet. Fry chimichangas seam‑side down until golden, turning to crisp all sides. (Or bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.)
For cheese sauce: melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in cheese and seasonings until smooth.
Serve chimichangas hot, smothered in cheese sauce. Garnish with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Chimichanga with Cheese Sauce, Serves 6)

Calories: ~480
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 38g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

Chicken: Lean protein powerhouse.
Beans: Fiber + staying power.
Cheese: Calcium + melty joy.
Tortilla: Carbs = energy.
Spices: Flavor bombs without extra calories.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you like your chimichangas stuffed with beans, rice, or just straight‑up meat + cheese?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

Seal the deal: Use a toothpick to keep tortillas closed while frying.
Crispy hack: Brush with oil and bake for a lighter crunch.
Cheese sauce magic: Add a splash of salsa for extra zing.
Filling balance: Don’t overstuff — trust me, explosions happen.
Serving suggestion: Pair with Mexican rice and a side salad.

🔄 Recipe Variations

Beef Chimichangas: Swap chicken for seasoned ground beef.
Veggie Lovers: Use sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Breakfast Twist: Fill with scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese.
Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
Mini Chimichangas: Use small tortillas for appetizer‑sized bites.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — beef, veggie, or breakfast?

🧒 Kid Tips

Call them “crispy burritos” to make them sound fun.
Let kids dip in cheese sauce instead of smothering.
Keep spice mild for little taste buds.
Serve with a side of corn or fruit for balance.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

Chicken: Use leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Cheese: Shred your own for the best melt.
Tortillas: Warm slightly before rolling to prevent cracks.
Beans: Canned refried beans = weeknight lifesaver.
Oil: Use a neutral oil like canola for frying.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you usually fry chimichangas, or do you go the baked route?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Chicken Chimichangas and serve them in a fun way. Maybe it’s a DIY chimichanga bar, maybe it’s topped with salsa verde, maybe it’s paired with margaritas. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsChimiGlow so we can all drool together.

🥪 Leftover Remix

Chimi Bowls: Chop leftovers, serve over rice with toppings.
Chimi Nachos: Break apart, layer on chips, drizzle with cheese sauce.
Chimi Quesadillas: Flatten and re‑grill with extra cheese.
Chimi Salad: Chop and toss with lettuce + salsa ranch.
Chimi Breakfast Hash: Fry with eggs and potatoes.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you rather turn leftovers into nachos or breakfast hash?

💭 Final Thoughts

These Chicken Chimichangas with Homemade Cheese Sauce are proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. They’re crispy, cheesy, and versatile enough to be a weeknight dinner, a party centerpiece, or a “just because” indulgence. Plus, they’re the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile — and isn’t that the best kind of cooking?

Here’s the thing about chimichangas — they’re never just chimichangas. They’re the sizzle of tortillas hitting hot oil, the joy of cheese sauce bubbling on the stove, the comfort of knowing you’ve got a dish that’s both playful and indulgent.

And these Chicken Chimichangas? They’re keepers. They’re crispy, they’re cheesy, they’re indulgent, they’re fun. They’re the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve turned everyday ingredients into something restaurant‑worthy.

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring us together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about eating, it’s about sharing. It’s about swapping tips, laughing over cheese‑splattered counters, and building little traditions that make life tastier.

So here’s my challenge to you: make this dish, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you add salsa verde? Did you sneak in jalapeños? Did you double the cheese sauce just because you could? (No judgment — I’d be first in line for that version.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Chimichanga Series” next? I’m dreaming up beef chimis, veggie chimis, and maybe even dessert chimis (hello, Nutella + strawberries).

Until then, may your tortillas be golden, your chicken juicy, your cheese sauce silky, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about cooking — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious.

And if you take nothing else from this post, let it be this: chimichangas aren’t just dinner, they’re a lifestyle. 🌯✨