Bursting with flavor, this spicy chicken burrito recipe delivers a mouthwatering blend of zesty chicken wrapped in soft tortillas.
Bold spices dance through tender chicken, creating an irresistible street food-style chicken burrito that packs serious punch.
Each bite promises a symphony of heat and savory goodness.
Homemade burritos beat takeout every single time.
The secret lies in carefully selected spices and perfectly grilled chicken.
Fresh ingredients transform a simple meal into a culinary adventure.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 450 kcal
Servings: 5
What You’ll Need for Spicy Chicken Burritos
For Protein Base:
Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs spices beautifully, choose boneless skinless cuts for quick cooking and easy shredding.
For Spice Blend:
Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Red Pepper Flakes: Vibrant spice mix that creates depth and heat, select fresh ground spices for maximum flavor intensity.
Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning enhancers that balance and elevate the overall taste profile.
For Burrito Assembly:
Tortillas: Soft wheat wraps that provide the perfect vessel for ingredients, look for fresh, flexible tortillas that won't crack when folding.
Rice: Fluffy base that adds texture and substance, opt for long-grain white or brown rice for best results.
Black Beans: Protein-packed legume that brings creamy richness and earthy flavor, choose low-sodium canned or freshly cooked beans.
Corn: Sweet kernel that adds bright color and crisp texture, select either canned or frozen corn.
Cheese: Melty binding ingredient that adds creaminess, shredded cheddar or monterey jack work wonderfully.
Salsa: Zesty sauce that introduces fresh tang and moisture, pick restaurant-style or homemade for best flavor.
Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps prevent sticking and adds subtle flavor, use extra virgin for best quality.
Equipment to Make Burritos Seamless
Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for cooking chicken and toasting burritos.
Dry Skillet or Microwave: To warm tortillas until soft and flexible.
Spatula or Tongs: For stirring and flipping chicken while cooking.
Cutting Board: To prepare ingredients and slice burritos.
Sharp Knife: For slicing burritos after cooking.
Measuring Spoons: To accurately measure spices for seasoning chicken.
Instructions for a Flavor-Packed Burrito Wrap
Fire Up the Skillet Spark some olive oil in a pan over medium heat, ready to transform your chicken into a flavor explosion.
Spice Dance Sprinkle a carnival of spices over the chicken – chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir and let it sizzle for 3-4 minutes until fully coated and singing with flavor.
Tortilla Warm-Up Gently heat your tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they're soft and ready to wrap.
Burrito Crafting Layer your tortilla with rice, sizzling chicken, beans, corn, melty cheese, and zesty salsa. Go wild with any extra toppings that make your taste buds dance.
Wrap and Roll Fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then roll from the bottom, creating a tight, delicious package.
Optional Crispy Finish For those who love a golden crunch, place the burrito seam-side down in a hot skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes per side until it's beautifully golden.
Serve and Devour Slice and enjoy your spicy chicken masterpiece while it's hot and bursting with flavor!
Add-On Ideas for Extra Heat or Creaminess
Add a dash of smoked paprika for deeper, richer chicken flavor.
Cook extra chicken and freeze in portions for quick future burrito assemblies.
Replace wheat tortillas with large lettuce leaves or gluten-free corn tortillas for a lighter alternative.
Substitute chicken with black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, or grilled portobello mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian version.
Use low-fat cheese, brown rice, and add extra vegetables to make this recipe more nutrition-packed and weight-loss friendly.
Best Ways to Serve for Meals or Parties
Flavor Fiesta Plating: Arrange burritos on a vibrant plate with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime for a zesty pop of color and extra tang.
Fresh Dipping Delights: Serve alongside homemade guacamole, sour cream, or a cooling ranch dressing to complement the spicy chicken and add creamy contrast.
Sidekick Sensations: Pair with Mexican-style street corn, black bean salad, or crisp green salad to balance the hearty burrito and create a complete meal experience.
Crowd-Pleaser Presentation: Cut burritos diagonally and stack them casually on a wooden board with small dipping sauce bowls for a casual, inviting restaurant-style setup.
Burrito Storage You Can Count On
Cook extra chicken and store in airtight containers for quick future burrito assemblies throughout the week. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
Individually wrap completed burritos in aluminum foil to maintain moisture and heat. Stack in refrigerator for convenient grab-and-go meals that stay fresh for 3-4 days.
Prepare multiple burritos, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze flat to save space. Reheat directly from frozen in microwave or oven for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
Store wet ingredients like salsa and sour cream separately from assembled burritos to prevent soggy tortillas. Keep components in sealed containers in refrigerator, allowing customizable assembly when ready to eat.
Spicy chicken burritos pack mouthwatering Mexican flavors into one delectable handheld meal. Packed with zesty seasonings and fresh ingredients, this quick recipe delivers restaurant-quality comfort straight to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups (475 ml) chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie works great)
4 large flour tortillas
1 cup (240 ml) rice, white or brown, cooked
1 cup (240 ml) cheese, shredded (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blend)
½ cup (120 ml) black beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup (120 ml) corn (optional)
½ cup (120 ml) salsa or hot sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
½ tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
¼ tsp (1.25 ml) garlic powder
¼ tsp (1.25 ml) onion powder
¼ tsp (1.25 ml) crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Spice Preparation: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame. Generously coat chicken with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Chicken Cooking: Thoroughly sauté chicken for 3-4 minutes, ensuring even spice distribution and complete heating.
Tortilla Warming: Soften tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and flexible.
Burrito Assembly: Create layers on tortilla with rice, spiced chicken, beans, corn, cheese, and salsa. Include desired additional toppings for personalized flavor.
Rolling Technique: Carefully fold tortilla sides inward, then roll from bottom upward creating a compact, sealed burrito package.
Optional Toasting: For crispy exterior, place burritos seam-side down in hot skillet, browning each side for 1-2 minutes until golden and crunchy.
Serving: Slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm, allowing flavors to meld and textures to shine.
Notes
Adjust red pepper flakes and chili powder based on personal heat tolerance, starting with smaller amounts and gradually increasing for perfect spiciness.
Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for food safety, using a meat thermometer to check doneness without overcooking.
Warm tortillas briefly to prevent cracking during rolling, keeping them soft and flexible for seamless burrito assembly.
Swap proteins like tofu or black beans for vegetarian version, use cauliflower rice for low-carb option, and experiment with different cheese and salsa varieties to match dietary preferences.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.