Chicken Burrito Recipe for busy people! Meal prep 17 chicken burritos in an hour on the stove or in Instant Pot and freeze for later. Or turn it into shredded chicken burrito bowl.

If you love burritos but don’t feel like rolling, make this chicken burrito skillet or Mexican chicken and rice.

Chicken burritos wrapped in aluminum foil showing texture inside with melted cheese.

We are huge fans of chicken quesadillas and chicken tostadas but the problem is they are not the best for meal prep.

This recipe yields 17 large chicken burritos. We freeze them for healthy lunches to reduce deli meat consumption, and for easy healthy dinners. We pack them on the road. My kids are obsessed with this healthy chicken burrito recipe.

And so are their and our friends who tried them. Better than Chipotle’s!

Ingredients for Chicken Burrito Recipe

To make this chicken burrito recipe you will need just a handful of simple ingredients.

Black beans, bouillon cube, rice, cumin, taco seasoning, cheese, tortillas, cabbage, green onion, cilantro, corn, chicken breast, garlic powder, salt.
  • Brown rice: Unfortunately, white rice requires different cooking time and amount of liquid than cooked brown rice in Instant Pot. But if you are making chicken burritos on a stovetop, you can use white rice. Use the ratio of liquid indicated on the package.
  • Black beans: For Instant Pot version, only dried beans you can use are black beans, black eyed peas, small navy beans or pinto beans. When I make black beans in Instant Pot, they take 12 minutes. All other beans cook much longer.
  • Chicken breasts: I use fresh or frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you have cooked Instant Pot shredded chicken breast, add it to the mixture after.
  • Salsa: Use salsa with a spice level you like. To add more healthy fats use salsa guacamole.
  • Corn: Frozen or canned corn works.
  • Cheese: Use any soft cheese that you can shred. It melts better and is healthier without extra preservatives found in store-bought shredded cheese. This time I added a bit of smoked gouda. It was the bomb dot com!
  • Chicken burrito seasoning: Low sodium taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder and salt.
  • Chicken broth: You can use homemade chicken broth or Instant Pot chicken broth, bouillon cube diluted with water or chicken broth from a carton.
  • Veggies: Cilantro, green onion and cabbage instead of lettuce if making chicken burritos for meal prep. For enjoying chicken burrito recipe right away, you can add any veggies.
  • Tortillas: I used 10 inch wide whole wheat tortillas. For best experience, you have to use pliable and soft large flour tortillas. Do not use corn tortillas. Some gluten free tortillas are soft too.

How to Make Chicken Burritos on the Stove

Here is a quick overview how to make chicken burritos recipe on the stove.

  • Cook rice and chicken: Cook rice with chicken and spices in the pot on the stovetop first. Add canned black beans that have been drained and rinsed.
  • Chop herbs and veggies.
  • Add canned beans: In a large bowl, shred chicken breasts. Add 2 x 15 ounces cans of rinsed and drained low sodium black beans, shredded chicken and remaining ingredients. Mix.

How to Make Chicken Burritos in Instant Pot

Your Instant Pot is meant for making a huge Instant Pot chicken burritos batch. Just like with Instant Pot rice and beans, you do not have to soak the beans and can cook rice, black beans and chicken at same time.

Step by step process how to make chicken burrito recipe in instant pot.
  • Cook the filling: Add all ingredients including dried black beans (no soaking) to the pressure cooker and cook for 20 minutes on high pressure. Do Quick Release.
  • Chop herbs and veggies: While rice is cooking, chop cilantro, cabbage, green onion and shred cheese. Get salsa and corn ready. Tear 17 foil sheets.
  • Mix: Shred chicken and combine all ingredients in Instant Pot.

Recipe Tip

Looking for more dinner ideas? Check out my most popular collection of 45 healthy Instant Pot recipes.

How to Wrap Chicken Burritos

Here are a few tips when it comes to wrapping this chicken burrito recipe.

Person showing step by step process how to wrap chicken burritos.
  • Set up wrapping station with 17 torn foil sheets, tortillas, chicken burrito filling, toppings and cheese.
  • Place tortilla on top of foil. Add 3/4 cup of chicken mixture below the center and close to the edge near you. Top with a bit of shredded cabbage and cheese.
  • Fold up the bottom to almost cover the chicken burrito filling. Then fold up edges.
  • Roll up tightly. Roll again in foil.

Recipe Tip

Don’t wanna wrap? Turn this chicken burrito recipe into a chicken burrito bowl. In a bowl, add filling and top with veggie fixings and cheese that you wrap in a burrito.

Friulano cheese and gouda cheese on a kitchen counter.

Tips for Best Results

Here are my top tips for the best chicken burritos in the world!

  • Veggies variations: Do not use high water content vegetables like tomato, avocado and lettuce. They do not freeze well and make chicken burritos soggy. Pan fry ingredients like bell pepper, onion and zucchini before adding to a filling.
  • Cutting recipe in half for Instant Pot: Sure, you can do so but keep same cooking time.
  • Types of rice you can use: For stovetop chicken burritos you can use any rice which package indicates cook time of 30 minutes and more. To my knowledge it would be red rice, black rice, purple rice and yellow rice. Wild rice might have to be soaked however wild rice blend will work.
  • Using white rice: I have not tested it but I think this chicken burrito recipe will work with white rice. Just follow the recipe and cook everything in a pot for at least 15 minutes and go from there.
  • Chicken thighs: You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Cook time remains the same, just your chicken burritos will be more flavorful and fatty.

How to Store, Freeze and Reheat Chicken Burritos

Here are my top tips how to freeze and reheat this chicken burrito recipe. It is perfect for meal prep!

Wrapped in aluminum foil chicken burritos in a resealable Ziploc bag.
  • If frozen, always thaw chicken burritos overnight in the fridge.
  • Bake at 450 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. It takes a while for baked chicken burritos to get warmed through and cheese to melt. I was surprised as well.
  • That’s why I like to broil chicken burritos for 10-15 minutes.
  • You can also warm up burritos in a microwave without tin foil. Keep your eye on it as ovens vary. I would start with 2 minutes.

Check out my full list of 20 freezer meals. I’m obsessed!

FAQs

What do I serve chicken burrito recipe with?

Serve chicken burritos with guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa guacamole, salsa verde, Instant Pot refried beans, sour cream or yogurt.

What does a chicken burrito contain?

Chicken burrito usually contains rice, beans, seasonings, lettuce and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.

How to make a chicken burrito better?

To make chicken burrito taste even better feel free to add chopped avocado, jalapenos, green onions, tomatoes and fresh cilantro leaves.

Can I omit beans in Instant Pot chicken burrito recipe?

Yes. If you use 1.5 cups rice and 1.5 cups water, it should be fine! With stove top chicken burrito recipe just omit a can of black beans.

More Mexican Recipes

Person holding two chicken burritos showing texture inside.
Chicken burritos wrapped in aluminum foil showing texture inside with melted cheese.

Chicken Burrito Recipe

Chicken Burrito Recipe for busy people! Meal prep 17 chicken burritos in an hour in Instant Pot or on the stove and freeze for later.
4.92 from 67 votes
Servings 17 burritos
Calories 374
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients  

Add to Cook in Instant Pot:

Add After:

  • 2 x 15 oz cans of low sodium black beans rinsed and drained (only for stovetop)
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 2 cups corn frozen or cooked
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1 bunch green onion chopped
  • 12 oz any soft cheese shredded
  • 2 cups green or red cabbage thinly shredded
  • 17 large whole wheat tortillas

Instructions 

Stovetop

  • In a large pot, add brown rice, chicken breasts, taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, salt and chicken broth or water (everything but black beans). Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 45 minutes or until water is absorbed.
  • Shred chicken right in the pot. Add canned black beans, salsa, corn, cilantro and green onion. Stir. Your chicken burrito filling is ready.

Instant Pot

  • In Instant Pot, add brown rice, black beans, chicken breasts, taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, salt and chicken broth or water. No need to stir.
  • Close the lid, turn pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual for 20 minutes. In the meanwhile, chop cilantro and onion; shred cabbage and cheese.
  • After Instant Pot has finished cooking, do Quick Release by turning the valve to Venting. If beans look a bit dry on top, it’s OK. They will soak up more liquid as you stir.
  • Shred chicken using 2 forks right in the pressure cooker. Then add salsa, corn, cilantro and green onion. Stir. Your chicken and rice burrito filling is ready.

How to Wrap Chicken Burritos

  • Tear 17 sheets of aluminum foil for wrapping the burrito.
  • Place tortilla on top of foil. Add 3/4 cup of filling below the center and near to the edge closer to you. Top with some shredded cabbage and cheese.
  • Fold up the bottom to almost cover the filling. Then fold up the edges. Roll up tightly and then roll again in foil. Picture tutorial above will help.

How to Reheat Chicken Burritos

  • If frozen, thaw first overnight in the fridge.
  • Bake at 450 F for 20-25 minutes. It takes a while for chicken burritos to get warmed through and cheese to melt. That's why I like to broil for 10-15 minutes.
  • You can also warm burritos up in a microwave without tin foil. Keep your eye on it as ovens vary. I would start with 2 minutes.

Video

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate chicken burritos for up to 2-3 days.
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months. Reheat as per instructions in recipe card.
  • Veggies variations: Do not use high water content like tomato, avocado and lettuce. They do not freeze well and make chicken and rice burrito soggy. Pan fry ingredients like bell pepper, onion and zucchini before adding to a burrito filling.
  • Cutting recipe in half for Instant Pot: Sure, you can do so but keep same cooking time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burrito | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 692mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. Been playing around with this recipe for a while. as others have pointed out the beans are too hard if cooked as per the instructions. I’ve finally settled on a 2 hour cold soak of the beans to get them to cook perfectly alongside the rice and chicken with the 20 minute cook time.

  2. Hi Olena, I’m excited to try these! When you put them in your kids’ lunchbox for school, do they just eat them cold? Do you cook them first to melt the cheese or just defrost and send? Also, could you defrost and then cook in the sandwich press for an easy breakky? I have done this with other homemade burritos and it worked well 🙂

    1. Yes for the breakfast and sandwich prep. Since all the ingredients are cooked it really depends on your kids tastes or if they have microwave access at school.

  3. I made this tonight & loved the flavor! But my family had to pick all the beans out because they were undercooked 😕. I then read online that dried beans should be cooked for 40 min in the instant pot + 10 min slow release.
    I think next time we make it I’ll try with canned beans.

    1. Altitude can affect cooking time as well. Substituting canned beans, you will want to do that when you are adding your corn, salsa etc. since they are already cooked, cooking them more could result in a mushy mess in the Instant Pot.

  4. Was super excited to try this tonight. Followed the directions to the T but kept getting the “burn” notice on my instant pot ☹️ Had to open, stir & scrape the bottom of the pot multiple times. The instant pot also kept switching off on me because of the “burn” notice, which I’m sure will affect the finished product. Still cooking….we’ll see. Disappointed this was a difficult recipe for my pot

  5. I love this recipe and have made it a few times in my Instant Pot, but the beans are always uncooked. I tried adding 2 minutes to the cooking time, and they’re still undone. Any suggestions on what I can do?

    1. I had that problem the first time too so the next time I soaked the beans over night and then made it per instructions. They were delicious!

  6. 5 stars
    I just made this for my family, and these were SO good. We each had one and were stuffed, so now we have 3 meals worth of leftovers! Very easy to make (I’m new to cooking) and delicious! these are a new staple in my house. Thank you, Olena!

  7. About to make these for my family of 5. How long would I cook it in the instant pot if I use frozen chicken?

  8. 5 stars
    This is by far the easiest and tastiest healthful recipe I’ve EVER made. I used the stovetop method. It took longer than 45 minutes for the liquid to evaporate, but once it did the chicken was so tender it shredded very easily. I’ll definitely make this again!

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