There’s nothing quite like a big, warm, cheesy chicken burrito to satisfy your comfort food cravings. This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that my family begs me to make again and again. The combination of tender shredded chicken, melty cheese, and zesty Mexican spices all wrapped up in a soft tortilla is just heavenly.

I first started making this Cheesy Chicken Burrito recipe a few years ago when I was craving something hearty and satisfying, but also quick and easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. As a busy mom, I’m always looking for family-friendly meals that I can have on the table in 30 minutes or less. This burrito checks all the boxes – it’s simple to prepare, totally customizable to your tastes, and it reheats beautifully for easy lunches or meal prep.

The first time I made these Cheesy Chicken Burritos, the aroma of the sizzling chicken and melted cheese had my kids running to the kitchen, asking “What smells so good?” They took one bite and were instantly hooked. Now it’s a dinner staple at our house, and I love that I can easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest for more of my favorite family-friendly recipes!

Why This Cheesy Chicken Burrito Recipe Works

There are a few reasons why this Cheesy Chicken Burrito recipe is a total keeper:

• It’s crazy delicious. The combination of tender, juicy chicken, gooey melted cheese, and bold Mexican spices is seriously mouthwatering. I can never get enough!
• It’s super easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick assembly process, these burritos come together in a flash – perfect for busy weeknights.
• It’s endlessly customizable. You can easily tweak the fillings to your personal taste or what you have on hand. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or get creative with different cheese and veggie combinations.
• It reheats beautifully. These burritos hold up incredibly well in the fridge or freezer, making them a fantastic meal prep option. I love being able to grab one for a quick lunch or reheat it for an easy dinner.

Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken Burritos

To make these cheesy, flavor-packed burritos, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients:

• Cooked Chicken: I like to use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled or baked chicken breasts. You can also cook the chicken right before assembling the burritos.
• Cheese: I always go for a blend of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. The melty, gooey combo is irresistible.
• Spices: Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper add bold Mexican flavor.
• Tortillas: I prefer large flour tortillas, but you can use whatever size or variety you like best.
• Optional Extras: Sautéed peppers and onions, black beans, rice, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole are all delicious additions.

Diana’s Tip: For the juiciest, most flavorful chicken, I like to use a combination of both white and dark meat. The dark meat adds so much richness and moisture.

Customizing Your Cheesy Chicken Burritos

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it to your personal tastes or the ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Switch up the cheese: Pepper jack, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or a Mexican cheese blend would all be delicious alternatives to the classic cheddar-Monterey Jack combo.
• Add more veggies: Sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or diced tomatoes would all be tasty veggie additions.
• Spice it up: For an extra kick, you can add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, chopped jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
• Make it breakfast-style: Scrambled eggs, hash browns, and breakfast sausage or bacon would turn these into hearty breakfast burritos.
• Go meatless: Swap the chicken for black beans, pinto beans, or seasoned tofu for a vegetarian or vegan-friendly version.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Burritos

Making these Cheesy Chicken Burritos is a total breeze. Here’s how I do it:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the shredded chicken with the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until heated through, about 5 minutes.
2. Diana’s Tip: If your chicken is already cooked, you can skip this step and just warm it up with the spices.
3. Lay out your tortillas and divide the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each one. Top with a generous handful of shredded cheese.
4. Fold the bottom of the tortilla up, then fold in the sides and continue rolling it up tightly into a burrito shape.
5. What I Messed Up At First: The first time I made these, I overstuffed the burritos and they ended up falling apart. Now I make sure to not overfill them so they hold their shape.
6. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the burritos seam-side down and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
7. Serve your Cheesy Chicken Burritos hot, with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few tips to help you avoid common pitfalls when making Cheesy Chicken Burritos:

• Don’t overstuff the burritos. It’s tempting to load them up, but that can cause them to fall apart. Stick to about 1/2 cup of filling per burrito for the best results.
• Don’t skip the spices. The cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder are what give these burritos their signature Mexican flavor. Don’t be shy with the seasonings!
• Don’t forget to brown the burritos. Taking the extra step to toast the burritos in a skillet or on a griddle gives them a delicious crispy exterior that contrasts perfectly with the soft, warm interior.

My Tested Ingredient Substitutions

While the classic combo of chicken, cheddar, and Monterey Jack is hard to beat, there are plenty of other tasty ingredient swaps you can try:

• Protein: Ground beef, shredded pork, or seasoned tofu or tempeh all work great instead of chicken.
• Cheese: Pepper jack, Oaxaca, queso fresco, or a Mexican cheese blend are all delicious alternatives.
• Tortillas: Corn tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or even lettuce wraps can be used instead of flour tortillas.

Diana’s Tip: I don’t recommend substituting the spices. The cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder are essential for that authentic Mexican flavor.

Serving and Storing Cheesy Chicken Burritos

These Cheesy Chicken Burritos are perfect for so many different occasions – they make a satisfying main dish for dinner, a hearty lunch, or even a tasty snack or appetizer. I love to serve them with a side of Spanish rice, refried beans, a fresh salad, or some crispy tortilla chips and salsa.

For meal prep or easy reheating, these burritos also hold up incredibly well. You can make them ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them for later. To reheat, simply unwrap and microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot and melty. They’re a total lifesaver on busy weeknights!

Nutrition Info for Cheesy Chicken Burritos

Each Cheesy Chicken Burrito contains approximately:

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 40g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 4g

I hope you and your family love these Cheesy Chicken Burritos as much as mine does! They’re the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make and endlessly customizable. Let me know if you try this recipe – I’d love to hear your thoughts. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest for more of my favorite family-friendly meals.

Cheesy Chicken Burrito Recipe

**Ingredients**
* 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 6 large flour tortillas
* 2 cups shredded cheddar an