One of my all-time favorite things to order at Mexican restaurants is a Chimichanga. They are filled with a cheesy chicken mixture, fried, and then smothered in queso. Oh man, I haven’t had a good, fried chimichanga in a very long time!

These days while I try to stay away from most fried foods, I don’t stay away from recreating my favorite restaurant dishes at home. When I saw the post that inspired today’s recipe I knew I had to try them (and put my own spin on it, of course).

Today’s recipe calls for pre-cooked chicken and I’ve included the recipe for my Instant Pot Salsa Chicken below or if you don’t want to cook chicken specifically for this recipe, you can even use rotisserie chicken.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

• Chicken
• Salsa
• Taco Spices

Yep, just three ingredients.

Place all the ingredients into the instant pot and boom. Chicken is done.

Now it’s time to talk about assembling the star of the show.

Chimichangas

• Tortillas
• Shredded Salsa Chicken
• Cheese

Combine shredded chicken, cheese, and some of the salsa mixture left in the instant pot.

Spoon the chicken/cheese mixture into the tortilla and fold it up, don’t roll it like an enchilada, fold it up like a burrito.

Here’s the secret step:

To mimic some of the crispyness that a chimichanga would get from the fryer, brush the tops with melted butter before baking.

You are now minutes from deliciously baked chimichangas and the star of the dinner table!

Baked Chicken Chimichangas [with Instant Pot Salsa Chicken]

Sam

These chimichangas are full of cheesy chicken and are nice and crispy!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 chimichangas

Ingredients

  

Salsa Chicken:

• 1-2 pounds chicken
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning

Chimichangas:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 8-inch flour tortillas
• 1 tablespoon butter - melted
• Toppings: - sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheddar cheese for topping

Instructions

 

Salsa Chicken:

• If you have large chicken breasts, cut them into 1 or 2 large pieces and place them in the Instant Pot. Combine the salsa and the taco seasoning and pour over the chicken. Place the lid on the pot, making sure the pressure valve is set to the “sealing” position and set to Manual for 8 minutes. Once the cook time is complete, let sit for another 10 minutes before releasing the pressure. Remove chicken and shred.

Chimichangas:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a medium bowl combine shredded chicken, cheese, and 1/4-1/2 cup of the salsa mixture left in the instant pot. Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture in the middle of the tortilla, roll up and fold ends in and place on a baking sheet.
• Brush the tops with melted butter. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and brown.

Notes

1. If using already cooked chicken, add 2 teaspoons taco seasoning and 1/2 cup salsa to the already cooked shredded chicken.
2. Here's the taco seasoning mix I use: 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic

Adapted from this recipe. 

Keywords chicken, instant pot