Building a truly exceptional chicken burrito doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. With quality ingredients and a thoughtful approach, you can create a flavor-packed meal in about 18 minutes. The key is a foundation of a good flour tortilla, layered with contrasting textures and tastes, achieved through a combination of fats, acids, and fresh ingredients. Skip the rice – it only adds unnecessary bulk.
This recipe centers around a mayo-marinated chicken, a simple yet effective technique that guarantees juicy, flavorful meat with beautifully browned exterior. Start by combining 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of mayonnaise with a pinch of salt, two crushed garlic cloves, the zest and juice of half a lime, chili powder, Mexican oregano crushed between your fingers, and 10 cranks of black pepper. Slather this mixture generously over your chicken pieces. This marinade draws inspiration from a classic carne asada preparation, with the mayonnaise acting as a perfect flavor carrier. Feel free to experiment with other spices from your pantry.
Place the seasoned chicken in a hot cast iron pan and sear on both sides until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the chicken browns, prepare a simple yet flavorful side of cumin-jalapeno pinto beans. Drizzle a bit of oil into a pan over medium heat. While the oil heats, quickly dice a jalapeno. Open and drain a can of pinto beans. Add the diced jalapeno and some whole cumin seeds to the hot oil, toasting them until the cumin becomes fragrant. Be cautious not to burn them. Then, add the drained pinto beans and a pinch of salt. Cook the beans, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Now is a good time to gather your remaining burrito components and prepare your serving dishes and utensils. This recipe includes sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cilantro, queso fresco, and pickled onions.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the cast iron pan and slice it into bite-sized pieces. No need to rest the chicken, as it will remain tender thanks to proper cooking and the other moist ingredients in the burrito.
The assembly process hinges on two key principles: warming the tortilla and layering the fillings evenly. Warming the tortilla in the pan makes it pliable, just like Chipotle does, for easier rolling. Evenly distributed fillings ensure a balanced flavor profile in every bite.
Begin by spreading a thin layer of sour cream across the warmed tortilla. This acts as an adhesive for the beans and guarantees even sour cream distribution. Melting cheese directly onto the tortilla while warming it can be a tasty alternative to the sour cream base.
For optimal rolling, position the fillings in the upper third of the tortilla. Start with a layer of seasoned pinto beans. Next, add a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for a welcome acidic layer.
Follow the hot sauce with a generous portion of sliced chicken. Sprinkle queso fresco over the chicken, followed by diced tomatoes, minced cilantro, shredded lettuce, and a crucial layer of pickled onions.
To achieve a tightly packed burrito, start by folding the sides of the tortilla inwards until they meet. Gently pull them apart slightly to distribute the fillings evenly and create a flatter mound. Repeat this folding process once more. Then, fold the edge of the tortilla closest to you over the fillings and tightly roll away from you to finish.
This method yields a tightly packed burrito with evenly distributed fillings, preventing any single ingredient from dominating the flavor profile.
The result is a flavorful and satisfying burrito, highlighting the juicy, well-seasoned chicken, complemented by the simple yet delicious cumin-jalapeno pinto beans, and balanced by the fresh toppings. The combination of textures and tastes creates a truly superior burrito experience.
