Chimichangas

Some food historians believe that the chimichanga was created in the early 20th century in the city of Tucson, Arizona. According to this story, a woman named Monica Flin ran a restaurant called El Charro Café, and one day she accidentally dropped a burrito into a fryer. She quickly wrapped it up and served it to her customers, who loved the crispy, fried outside. They started asking for “the Monica,” and the dish became a hit.

Others believe that the chimichanga has its roots in Mexico, and that it was brought to Arizona by Mexican migrant workers. This theory is supported by the fact that the word “chimichanga” is derived from the Spanish verb chimir, which means “to fry.”

Whatever its origins, the chimichanga is now a beloved American dish. It typically consists of a flour tortilla filled with meat, cheese, and beans, and deep-fried until crispy. It’s often served with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Oven-Fried Chicken Chimichangas

  • green onion
  • picante sauce
  • cheddar cheese
  • cheddar cheese
  • cumin
  • chicken
  • oregano
  • margarine
  • green onion
  • picante sauce
  • flour tortilla
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Almost-Famous Chimichangas

  • salt
  • mexican rice
  • lettuce
  • mexisauce
  • chicken broth
  • monterey jack cheese
  • jalapeño
  • tomato
  • onion
  • chili powder
  • refried bean
  • onion
  • cumin
  • cilantro
  • sour cream
  • cinnamon
  • cilantro
  • butter
  • garlic
  • rotisserie chicken
  • green chile
  • garlic
  • vegetable oil
  • flour tortilla
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Chicken Chimichangas

  • refried bean
  • cheese
  • chili powder
  • cumin
  • salsa
  • oregano
  • chicken
  • green onion
  • oil
  • flour tortilla
  • salsa
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Carne Asada Chimichangas

  • lime juice
  • salt
  • queso cheese sauce
  • flank steak
  • butter
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • cumin
  • salt
  • onion powder
  • sweet paprika
  • jalapeño
  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • bell pepper
  • cilantro
  • evaporated milk
  • orange juice
  • white american cheese
  • canola oil
  • soy sauce
  • miss brown house seasoning
  • green chily
  • canola oil
  • cilantro
  • white vinegar
  • flour tortilla
  • garlic
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Apple Chimichangas

  • vanilla ice cream
  • vegetable oil
  • cinnamon
  • apple
  • pear
  • sugar
  • butter
  • tequila
  • flour tortilla
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4-Berry Chimichangas

  • whipped cream
  • vegetable oil
  • strawberry
  • berry preserve
  • lime
  • sugar
  • flour tortilla
  • cream cheese
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Air Fryer Shrimp Chimichangas

  • salt
  • olive oil
  • iceberg lettuce
  • refried black bean
  • lime zest
  • flour tortilla
  • mexican cheese
  • cilantro
  • grain white rice
  • popcorn shrimp
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Chicken, Tomatillo, and Chipotle Chimichangas

  • olive oil
  • tomatillo
  • chipotle
  • onion
  • cinnamon
  • clove
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • pinto bean
  • chicken thigh
  • garlic
  • flour tortilla
  • cilantro
  • lime juice
  • guacamole
  • pico de gallo
  • queso fresco
  • salt
  • sour cream
  • toothpick
  • vegetable oil
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Baked Chimichangas

  • cheddar cheese
  • cumin
  • garlic
  • tomato
  • onion
  • guacamole
  • cilantro
  • bean
  • butter
  • adobo sauce
  • taco seasoning
  • green onion
  • chicken
  • burrito tortilla
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Shredded Beef Chimichangas

  • red wine
  • beef roast beef liquid
  • salt
  • tortilla
  • black pepper
  • monterey jack cheese
  • all purpose flour
  • butter
  • oregano
  • oil
  • olive oil
  • chili powder
  • cumin
  • oregano
  • bay leaf
  • onion
  • chuck roast
  • beef stock
  • bell pepper
  • garlic

Ingredient Breakdown

 
flour tortilla
cumin
salt
cilantro
onion
butter
garlic
green onion
oregano
chicken
vegetable oil
olive oil
cheddar cheese
chili powder
sour cream
cinnamon
salsa
bell pepper
mexican cheese
guacamole
picante sauce
monterey jack cheese
jalapeño
tomato
refried bean
rotisserie chicken
green chile
oil
lime juice
black pepper
canola oil
sugar
cream cheese
taco seasoning
pico de gallo
tortilla
margarine
mexican rice
lettuce
mexisauce
chicken broth
ground beef
pace picante sauce
cheese
queso cheese sauce
flank steak
garlic powder
onion powder
sweet paprika
evaporated milk
orange juice
white american cheese
soy sauce
miss brown house seasoning
green chily
white vinegar
vanilla ice cream
apple
pear
tequila
whipped cream
strawberry
berry preserve
lime
iceberg lettuce
refried black bean
lime zest
grain white rice
popcorn shrimp
tomatillo
chipotle
clove
coriander
pinto bean
chicken thigh
queso fresco
toothpick
bean
adobo sauce
burrito tortilla
red wine
beef roast beef liquid
all purpose flour
bay leaf
chuck roast
beef stock
serve brown rice
black bean
corn
wheat tortilla

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • flour tortilla
  • onion

Staple Ingredients

  • flour tortilla 56%

Common Ingredients

  • cumin 44%

Usual Ingredients

  • butter 33%
  • garlic 33%
  • onion 33%
  • salt 33%

Rarey Ingredients

  • cilantro 28%