If you’re looking for an irresistibly satisfying, fun-to-make meal, these Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos are about to become your go-to favorite. Juicy spiced chicken, creamy ranch and avocado, fresh cilantro-lime rice, and loads of melty cheese all rolled up in a crispy tortilla—there’s just nothing better!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Flavor Fusion: The creamy avocado, tangy ranch, seasoned chicken, and golden cheese melt together for an explosion of flavor in every bite.
- Comfort Food Upgrade: These Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos are pure comfort—crispy on the outside, melty and savory inside, with pops of fresh lime and cilantro.
- Simple, Crowd-Pleasing, and Customizable: With easy-to-find ingredients and lots of room for personal touches, these burritos shine for weeknights or gatherings alike.
- Perfect for Prep-Ahead Lunches: They store and reheat beautifully, making meal prep deliciously effortless!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every item in these Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos is chosen to maximize both freshness and flavor. The best part? The ingredients list is short and sweet—each adds its own unique character to the mix, from texture to tang to that all-important cheese pull.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless chicken, butterflied for quick, even cooking and succulent cubes in every bite.
- Onion & Garlic Powders, Salt, Pepper: These classic seasoning staples bump up the savory notes and develop a craveable seasoned crust on the chicken.
- Olive Oil: Helps the spices stick and ensures that gorgeous golden char in your pan.
- Cooked Rice: Use leftover, fresh, or even microwave rice—just fluff it up, and let it soak up that lime and cilantro for bite and brightness.
- Fresh Cilantro: Freshness galore and that unmistakable “zippy” flavor that pairs perfectly with avocado and lime.
- Lime Juice: Just a splash transforms the rice into something special and adds a little zing throughout the burrito.
- Burrito-Sized Tortilla Wraps: Grab the biggest, softest ones you can—these will wrap all that good stuff up snugly.
- Cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Blend): For that irresistible melt and gently sharp bite—feel free to mix and match your favorites!
- Ranch Dressing: The creamy, herby glue that brings all the fillings together.
- Avocados: Perfect cubes of creamy, mild richness—essential for a luscious, unforgettable burrito.
Variations
One of the joys of Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos is just how easy they are to make your own! Get creative—swap in what you love, work with what you have on hand, or make them fit your dietary needs in a snap.
- Swap Out the Chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time or try shredded turkey or tofu for a tasty change.
- Try Different Cheese: Pepper jack, mozzarella, or a smoky gouda would be amazing—mix and match your favorites for a custom cheese pull.
- Fresh Veggie Boost: Toss in finely chopped tomatoes, roasted peppers, or even a handful of baby spinach for extra nutrition and crunch.
- Make it Spicy: Add canned green chilies, sliced jalapeños, or a spoonful of chipotle in adobo to the mix for a nice kick.
- Gluten Free: Simply choose gluten-free tortillas—everything else in this recipe is naturally gluten free!
How to Make Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos
Step 1: Zesty Cilantro-Lime Rice
In a mixing bowl, combine your warm cooked rice with chopped fresh cilantro and a good squeeze of lime juice. Fluff everything together with a fork, then taste and adjust for more acidity or herbs as desired. Set the bowl aside—the citrusy rice foundation gives every bite a fresh snap!
Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken
Butterfly your chicken breasts straight through to get four even pieces—this helps them cook faster and more evenly. Coat both sides with the spice blend and olive oil, then pan-sear over medium-high heat until they’re gorgeously golden, lightly charred, and the center is cooked through. Rest for a couple of minutes before dicing into bite-sized cubes; this locks in all the juices.
Step 3: Assemble the Burritos
Warm the tortillas until they’re pliable. Then, in the center of each wrap, layer on a few tablespoons of the cilantro-lime rice, followed by a quarter of your chicken, a generous drizzle of ranch dressing, creamy avocado cubes, and a snowstorm of grated cheese. Save a pinch of cheese for sealing the burritos shut—trust me, this trick is magic for crispy burritos that won’t unravel!
Step 4: Roll ‘Em Tight and Seal
Starting at the bottom, roll the tortilla over the fillings, then fold in the sides tightly. Keep rolling until only about an inch of tortilla remains—sprinkle that saved cheese along the edge, then complete the roll. That melted cheese will create a perfect seam once you crisp the burrito in the pan!
Step 5: Crisp Up to Perfection
Preheat a dry griddle or frying pan over high heat—you want it hot enough to sizzle. Place each burrito seam-side-down and let it cook until gorgeous golden grill marks appear, rotating with tongs for even crispiness. The outside should be hollow-sounding and crisp, hot and melty inside.
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos
- The Secret Cheese Seal: Sprinkling cheese on the last edge before rolling the burrito helps fuse the edge as it cooks, keeping your fillings perfectly contained.
- Avocado Timing: Dice avocado just before assembly to prevent browning and keep that beautiful creamy cohesion—if prepping ahead, toss in a little lime juice.
- Super Hot Pan: Don’t rush preheating your griddle; a blazing-hot pan is the secret to crispy, golden burritos in just minutes.
- Cooling is Key: Allow your chicken and rice to cool slightly before building your burritos if making ahead—this keeps your burritos from steaming and getting soggy.
How to Serve Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos
Garnishes
Cilantro leaves, extra diced avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime add a bright, fresh finish to these Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos. For a little extra flair, scatter some thin-sliced green onions or a handful of jalapeño rings right over the top—totally festive!
Side Dishes
Pair your burritos with crisp tortilla chips and salsa, a fresh corn salad, or simple black beans for a heartier meal. A crunchy slaw or pickled onions also offer a zesty, vibrant contrast to the creamy filling inside.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing each burrito into thick rounds and stacking them on a platter for easy entertaining. Or lay out a DIY burrito bar—set out all the fixings and let everyone wrap their own Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos just the way they like it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover burritos, cool them to room temperature and wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days—the flavors actually deepen, and the texture stays lovely after a quick re-crisp in the pan.
Freezing
Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos are quite freezer friendly! Wrap cooled burritos tightly in foil, then place in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months; just be aware avocado may darken a bit, but the flavor will still be delicious.
Reheating
To reheat, unwrap from foil if needed and cook on a dry skillet over medium heat (seam side down first), rotating for even crispness. You can also microwave for speed, but pan-toasting brings back the best crunch. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first for best results.
FAQs
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Can I make Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble and chill the burritos up to a day in advance. For best texture, keep the rice and chicken cool before building, wrap them tightly, and sear them just before serving for ultimate crispiness.
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What’s the best cheese to use for these burritos?
Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar are classic choices for melt and flavor, but feel free to use a Mexican blend, pepper jack for heat, or even mozzarella for stretch—just be sure to grate it fresh for the best melt!
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How do I keep the burritos from falling apart or getting soggy?
Let fillings (especially rice and chicken) cool slightly before wrapping and don’t overstuff! The cheese “seal” trick and pan-cooking seam-side-down ensure everything stays tucked in and crisp outside, not soggy.
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Can I bake these Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos instead of pan-frying?
Yes! For a hands-off option, wrap your burritos in foil and bake at 180°C/356°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden and crispy—though the filling won’t get as bubbly as in the pan, the outside will still crisp up beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Avocado Chicken Burritos are the kind of crowd-pleasing, soul-warming meal you’ll find yourself craving again and again. Make them for family dinner, game night, or a cozy night in—you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to whip up something so comforting and downright delicious. I can’t wait for you to give these a try and make them your own!
PrintGrilled Chicken and Avocado Burritos Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 burritos 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chicken Avocado Burritos are a delicious and satisfying meal filled with seasoned chicken, creamy avocado, rice, cheese, and ranch dressing, all wrapped up in a warm tortilla. Perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner!
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2x 9oz/250g Chicken Breasts, brought close to room temp
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Rice
- 1 1/2 cups Cooked Rice
- 2 tbsp finely diced Fresh Coriander/Cilantro
- 1/2 Lime, juice only
Burritos
- 4 Burrito Sized Tortilla Wraps, warmed
- 1 1/2 cups / 150g Cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup / 120ml Ranch
- 2 medium Avocados, diced
Instructions
- Rice: In a small bowl, combine rice with coriander/cilantro and lime juice. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
- Prep Chicken: Butterfly chicken breasts and coat with seasonings.
- Cook Chicken: Fry seasoned chicken until cooked through, then dice.
- Stack Burritos: Add rice, chicken, ranch, avocado, and cheese to the tortilla.
- Fold Burritos: Roll the burritos tightly, sealing with cheese.
- Cook Burritos: Grill burritos until crispy.
Notes
- Chicken: You can use rotisserie chicken if preferred.
- Rice: Use 1/2 cup uncooked rice for 1.5 cups cooked rice.
- Cheese: Monterey Jack or cheddar are recommended.
- Baking: Bake at 180C for 15-20mins if desired.
- Prep Ahead: Cool ingredients before assembling to prevent sogginess.
- Calories: Per burrito with Monterey Jack and no extra ranch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burrito
- Calories: Approximately 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg