Healthy chicken burritos are an easy, weeknight dinner that will quickly become a family favorite. These burritos are loaded with chicken, rice, beans and Mexican style flavors.
Thursday nights are usually the night in my household that we don’t have anything for dinner. I always prep meals on the weekends so that we have enough food for the start of the week. Everything is usually gone by Thursday, however. I'm always looking for an easy meal, or we usually end up eating something quick and easy.
This shredded chicken burrito is one of my favorite “go-to” meals when we don’t have anything to eat. It is an so incredibly easy to make! These burritos only require 2 pans total, which means very few dishes to clean up!
Also, these chicken burritos are a healthy dinner option. Even though they are healthy, they still taste great and are full of flavor. The main ingredients of this burrito are chicken, rice and beans. This is a good option for the whole family, kids included!
Ingredients Needed
- Rice: the rice should be instant, 5 minute rice. White rice or brown rice can be use.
- Salsa: use a chunky salsa for extra flavor. Choose mild, medium or hot salsa depending on spice preference.
- Garlic powder: adds flavor to the burritos. Minced fresh garlic can be substituted.
- Shredded chicken: Make the shredded chicken in the crockpot, oven or instant pot. Alternative options are cubed chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Cheese: use a shredded Mexican cheese or shredded cheddar cheese.
- Tortillas: Use any type of tortilla. Popular options are corn tortillas, gluten free tortillas or flour tortillas.
Let’s Make Some Burritos
Combine the water, salsa and garlic powder in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally so that the mixture boils evenly and so that it does not boil over.
Add the rice and stir until combined. Turn off the the heat, but keep the pot on the burner. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. (Stir halfway through).
After 5 minutes, check the consistency of the rice. The rice should be soft and tender. If the rice is not done, cover and continue to let sit for another 2 minutes.
Remove the pan from the burner. Add the black beans, shredded chicken and cheese. Mix until combined.
Begin to assemble the burritos! Place about ½ cup of the mixture in the center of a warm tortilla. Leave about ½ inch of space from the edge. Roll the burrito and place in a pan, seam side down. Top with cheese, bake and serve warm!
Nutrition Information
While everyone has a different definition of what healthy is, I would consider this a healthy chicken burrito because of the ingredients used. When compared to a pre-made freezer burrito or a burrito from a Mexican restaurant that’s loaded with cheese, it’s definitely a lot lower in calories and fat.
The nutrition facts will vary based on the brand of ingredients used and the type of tortilla used. I used a standard gluten free tortilla and calculated that these burritos contain 380 calories per burrito and 19 grams of protein per serving.
Fiber: The burritos have 7.6 grams of fiber per burrito. This is from the beans and a small amount is in the tortilla. More information on the health benefits of fiber can be found here.
Carbs: one burrito contains 60 grams of carbs. To make this a complex carb (which means it is digested slower), sub the white rice with brown rice. You could also use a whole wheat tortilla in place of a flour tortilla.
Allergens
These chicken burritos can be modified to meet all allergy needs.
Gluten Free: Use a gluten free tortilla or corn tortilla. All other ingredients should be gluten free, however always double check the label.
Dairy Free: to make these burritos dairy free, leave off the cheese. Double check the tortillas do not contain dairy.
What To Serve With These Burritos
Since these burritos are easy to make, I love to serve easy side dishes with them! I usually buy a package of lettuce, chop up a couple tomatoes and have a quick and easy side salad. Here’s a list of my favorite sides to serve with the burritos:
- Fresh fruit cup: strawberries, blueberries and kiwi
- Frozen veggies heated and topped with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt and garlic powder.
- Mexican Rice
- Refried beans
Leftovers
Store these burritos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. A common problem with leftover burritos is that the tortilla may get soggy. To prevent this, I recommend only assembling the amount of burritos you are going to eat.
Keep the leftover filling separate from the tortillas. Add the mixture to the tortilla right before you eat and then microwave it. Don't worry about putting it in the oven since the filling mixture has already been cooked.
More Healthy Dinner Ideas
Did you make these healthy chicken burritos? I'd love to hear from you! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below!
Healthy Chicken Burritos
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup white rice (instant 5 minute)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 cup shredded chicken breast cooked
- ½ cup shredded mexican cheese
- 4 tortillas (gluten free if needed)
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese optional if desired
Instructions
Burrito Filling
- Combine the water, salsa and garlic powder in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add the rice and stir until combined. Turn off the the heat, but keep the pot on the burner. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. (Stir halfway through).
- After 5 minutes, check the consistency of the rice. If it is soft and tender, it is done. If not, cover and continue to let sit for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the burner. Add the black beans, shredded chicken and cheese. Mix until combined.
Assemble the Burritos
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 13x9 inch baking pan lightly with non stick pan spray.
- Warm the tortillas by placing on a plate in between 2 lightly dampened paper towels. Heat in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
- Place the burrito filling in the center of each tortilla, leaving about ½ inch of space from the edge.
- Roll the burrito and place in the pan, seam side down.
- Top with extra cheese if desired. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Maggie
This looks like a terrific recipe to make for my family! Thank you!