Easy Make Ahead Chimichangas For Kids Food

MAKE AHEAD BEEF CHIMICHANGA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Saute onion and add ground beef in a skillet.
• Cook until no longer pink (approx 7-10 mins).
• Take off heat and drain.
• Stir in refried beans, salsa and cheese after cool for a minute.
• Melt butter and brush on tortillas, both sides. Wax paper can be used for less mess.
• Spoon about 1/4 c. of beef mix into the center of the tortilla.
• Fold sides over tortilla, like a burrito.
• Place on baking sheet, seam side down.
• Make sure to space them out so they are not touching.
• Bake for 5-7 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Optional - sprinkle with additional cheese and return to oven to melt cheese (watch closely to avoid burning them).
• Serve with favorite toppings - Sour cream, lettuce, olives, additional cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, etc.

MAKE AHEAD CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Using two forks, shred cooked meat or chicken (should have about 3 cups).
• In a large skillet combine meat or chicken, salsa, beans, undrained chili peppers, and seasoning mix.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
• In another skillet heat tortillas, one at a time, over medium-low heat about 30 seconds per side.
• For each chimichanga, place 1/3 cup meat mixture atop a tortilla, near one edge.
• Top with a cheese stick.
• Fold in sides; roll up, starting with cheese side.
• Bake, covered, in 350 degree F.
• oven for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and bake 10 minutes more or until heated through.
• Serve with salsa, dairy sour cream, and hot cooked rice, if desired.
• Make-Ahead Tip: To freeze, place chimichangas in freezer containers.
• Seal, label, and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To prepare, wrap frozen chimichangas individually in foil.
• Bake in a 350 degree F.
• oven about 50 minutes or until heated through.
• (Or, thaw chimichangas in refrigerator overnight. Bake about 30 minutes.) Unwrap.
• Bake 10 minutes more or until tortilla is crisp and brown.
• Or, heat about 1/4-inch depth of oil in a skillet.
• Cook desired number of frozen chimichangas, uncovered, in hot oil about 25 minutes (about 18 minutes if thawed) over medium-low heat or until golden, turning often.

KID-FRIENDLY CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix cream cheese, pepper Jack cheese, and taco seasoning in a medium-sized bowl. Fold in cooked shredded chicken. Divide mixture evenly onto 8 tortilla shells. Fold tortillas by tucking in sides first and then rolling. Place filled tortillas into a 9x13-inch baking dish with seam-sides down. Spray tops with cooking spray.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn chimichangas over and bake 15 minutes more.
• Serve topped with Cheddar cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

EASY MAKE-AHEAD CHIMICHANGAS FOR KIDS

Steps:

• Assembly and Baking Directions: Shred chicken (or crumble ground beef). You should have about 3 cups. In bowl combine chicken, salsa, beans, and cheese.
• Place bag of tortillas in Microwave until warmed through.
• Spread out tortillas individually on a clean dry surface.
• Fill individual tortillas with 1/2 cup filling mixture.
• Fold up bottom.
• Fold in one side and squish it around the filling, and roll it up.
• Freezing and Cooking Directions: Spread out chimi's on cookie sheet and flash freeze for about two hours.
• Gather up frozen chimi's and place in gallon size freezer bag together.
• Great for individual lunches.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minute OR heat them in 1/4 inches deep oil in skillet for approximately 18 minute over med-LOW heat.
• Turn them once and watch them carefully.
• Serve with sour cream.

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat, add the chicken thigh fillets and fry for 6-8 mins each side until cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside. Add another tbsp oil to the pan, then the onion and red pepper and cook until softened, about 5 mins.
• Shred or cut chicken into small pieces and put in a bowl with the cooked onions and peppers, chillies, cheese and spices, season and mix well.
• Heat the tortillas briefly in a dry frying pan for a few seconds on each side to make them a little more pliable, or heat in a microwave. Spoon a layer of the beans, if using, into the centre of each tortilla, then spoon some of the chicken mixture on top. Repeat so all the wraps and filling are used up.
• Roll-up the chimichangas - fold the bottom over the filling, fold the sides in, then roll away from you so all the filling is sealed in.
• To bake, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the chimichangas on an oiled baking sheet and brush lightly with more oil. Bake until golden, about 20-25 mins. Or to fry them, heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the 60ml oil to the pan and place the chimichangas seam-side down. Turn gently every few seconds until lightly golden on all sides and the filling has heated through.
• While they cook, warm the enchilada sauce in a small pan, then spoon some enchilada sauce on a plate, lay the chimichanga on top, and top with soured cream, a little more cheese and some coriander.Nutrition (fried):Kcal 425; fat 24g; saturates 6g; carbs 27g; sugars 5g; fibre 3g; protein 23g; salt 1.85g