Easy Baked Beef Chimichanga Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is beef chimichanga made of? ›

A chimichanga is a flour tortilla wrapped around a flavorful filling usually consisting of meat, beans, a tasty sauce and a bit of cheese. Everything is deep fried giving it a delicious crunch. It's really a deep fried burrito, but saying chimichanga is so much more fun!

Traditionally, a chimichanga is filled with a combination of rice, beans, meat and cheese, similar to a burrito. You can opt for seasoned Mexican-style rice or yellow rice or even plain white rice. As for the beans, refried beans, black beans or pinto beans are traditional.

The major difference, however, is that chimichangas are deep-fried. In fact, the simplest way to define chimichanga is as a deep-fried burrito. It's thought that a burrito was dropped into a deep fryer, with the result being what we now call Mexican chimichangas.

Freeze the prepared chimichangas solid, wrap in foil, and place in a freezer baggie. Each chimichangas can be baked as needed, or microwaved after removing the foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes if frozen.

How does a burrito differ from a chimichanga? Burritos contain rice and beans and tomatoes in addition to the meat, and they're wrapped but not fried. Chimichangas typically contain only the meat in sauce, and are deep fried, so they are crisp and crunchy on the outside.

While historians agree that the chimichanga is not an authentic Mexican food, the exact location of its origin is disputed. Both El Charro in Tucson, Arizona, and Macayo's Mexican Kitchen in Phoenix, Arizona, claim to be home to the first chimichanga.

A chimichanga can be a rich, occasional treat, rather than a diet staple. Chimichangas are high in calories, saturated fat and trans fats. According to the American Heart Association, eating a diet high in saturated fat puts us at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

She immediately began to utter a Spanish profanity beginning "chi..." (chingada), but quickly stopped herself and instead exclaimed chimichanga, a Spanish equivalent of "thingamajig".

Worst: Chimichanga

The dish has more than 1,500 calories and 93 grams of fat. Factor in toppings like guacamole and sour cream, and you'll get most of your day's calories and sodium in one meal. And research shows that a diet high in fried foods can raise your chances of diabetes and heart disease.

First recorded in 1950–55; from Mexican Spanish (Veracruz, Tabasco) chimichanga, chivichanga “trinket, trifle,” of uncertain origin.

What does chimichanga mean in English? ›

chimichanga. noun. chi·​mi·​chan·​ga ˌchim-ē-ˈchäng-gə : a tortilla wrapped around a filling (as of meat) and deep-fried.

So many great ways too serve these beef and bean chimichangas. My favorite toppings include sour cream, diced avocados or guacamole, salsa, chopped lettuce and/or tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. Try this Mexican rice or fried rice for a side dish. Load up your plate and dig in, my friends.

A Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito made with a flour tortilla, while an enchilada is a baked dish that uses corn tortillas and is smothered in a chili sauce. Q2: Are enchiladas healthier than chimichangas? A: Yes. Enchiladas are lower in calories than deep-fried chimichangas.

Burritos might also have vegetables, eggs, or condiments like guacamole or salsa, whereas a chimichanga won't be filled with any cold ingredients. Instead, a chimichanga parades them on top or to the side of it.