Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

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Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas are a Mexican entre that is a tortilla filled with ground beef, chicken, or beans, and deep-fried. Save on extra fat and calories and air fry them instead. Top them with your favorite zero point ingredients such as Greek Yogurt, tomatoes, scallions, lettuce, and fat-free refried beans.

Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (1)

The air fryer is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. Check out some of these recipes! Air Fryer Chocolate Cake, Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Air Fryer Fish and Chips, Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Garlic and Rosemary, and Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Chimichanga Toppings
  • How to make Air Fryer Chimichangas
  • Recipe FAQS
  • Best Air Fryer Tips
  • More Great Air Fryer Recipes to Try :
  • Air Fryer Chimichangas

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Chimichangas come out great and extra crispy in the air fryer plus it only takes 15 minutes to make them!

I wondered what it would be like making those in my air fryer and I loved the way they came out!

The tortilla gets super crispy after spraying it with some cooking spray. I just took about ½ a cup of the chicken and placed it in the middle of the tortilla then rolled it up.

If you don't have an air fryer try baking these in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Ingredients Needed

Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (2)
  • Shredded Chicken - Deli-style cooked shredded rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken breast. Get it at Sam's Club or Costco.
  • Can chopped green chilies - for some extra heat
  • Whipped Cream Cheese - Use room temperature cream cheese, it is easier to mix all the ingredients together that way
  • Cheddar Cheese - or Mexican shredded cheese blend
  • Taco Seasoning - s a blend of spices used to flavor ground beef or other meats for use in tacos. It typically includes a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sometimes salt and pepper. It can be purchased pre-mixed, or made at home using individual spices. I usually buy the Lower Sodium Taco Seasoning packets.
  • Flour Tortillas - 8 to 10 inches are the best because you can fold them up like a burrito. Make your own or use a can of store bought.
  • Enchilada Sauce for adding on top of the cooked enchiladas.

Chimichanga Toppings

  • Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese - I like to use reduced fat to help lower the calories
  • Make my Smoked Salsa or Smoked Queso Dip to go on top of the Chimichangas or
  • Top it off with some of the Best Damn Guacamole Ever!
  • Plain Greek Yogurt - This will add some more protein and it's a good substitute for sour cream.
  • Add some corn and black beans to the chicken mixture for some fiber.
  • Cilantro or Scallions for garnish (optional)

How to make Air Fryer Chimichangas

Step 1: In a bowl add the cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, chiles, taco seasoning, and cheddar Cheese. Mix well to combine

Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (3)

Step 2: Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees.

Step 3: Place about ½ cup of the chicken mixture in the middle of the flour tortilla. Fold each sides in then fold down the middle of the tortilla and roll it up.

Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (4)

Step 4: Place the chimichangas in an air fryer basket and spray them with cooking spray.Let the chimichangas air fry for 10 minutes.

Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (5)

When the chimichangas are done spoon some enchilada sauce over the chimichangas and top with cheese. Add them to the microwave and let the cheese melt and the sauce warm up.

Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Recipe FAQS

Can I use gluten-free or low carb tortillas?

Yes, try these with the Zero Net Carb tortillas from Mission. These are so good and only 25 calories.

How do I store the leftovers?

Store any of the leftover chicken in air tight containers to use up for the next day. The chicken can be made the day ahead. Having leftover chicken you can make chimichangas any day of the week!

What air fryer do I use?

I have two air fryers. The Cosori 4 Qt Air Fryer and Ninja Woodfire Grill which is an outdoor air fryer. It’s pretty awesome! It has 5 different functions on it.

Best Air Fryer Tips

The air fryer is so great for cooking simple basic food like air fryer steak, air fryer hard-boiled eggs, and air fryer bacon. Cook up some air fryer chicken breasts for the week and use it chicken quesadillas.

Overcrowding:Do not overcrowd the basket. Place items in a single layer in the air fryer basket or some food will not cook properly or all the way through.

Use a spray oil such as Pam to get food extra crispy and to save on calories.

Use parchment paper on the bottom of your air fryer for easy clean up.

More Great Air Fryer Recipes to Try :

  • Air Fryer Filet O Fish (Mcdonald's Copycat)
  • Air Fryer Beef Enchiladas
  • Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
  • Air Fryer Oreos without Crescent Roll Dough

If you tried this Air Fryer Chimichangas or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

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Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (10)

Air Fryer Chimichangas

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Jenna
  • Total Time: 15 min
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Chimichangas are a Mexican entre that is a tortilla filled with ground beef, chicken, or beans, and deep-fried. Save on extra fat and calories and air fry them instead. Top them with your favorite zero point ingredients such as Greek Yogurt, tomatoes, scallions, lettuce, and fat-free refried beans.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups shredded cooked rotisserie chicken
  • 4 ounces whipped cream cheese, softened
  • 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
  • 1 1oz package reduced sodium taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 4 (8 or 10 inch) flour tortillas
  • 1 10 oz can of Red or Green Enchilada Sauce

Toppings: More shredded cheese, Greek Yogurt, cilantro, or chopped scallions.

Instructions

  • Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees.
  • Place about ½ cup of the chicken mixture in the middle of the flour tortilla. Fold each sides in then fold down the middle of the tortilla and roll it up.
  • Place the chimichangas in an air fryer basket and spray them with cooking spray.
  • Set the timer for 10 minutes.
  • When the chimichangas are done spoon some enchilada sauce over the chimichangas and top with cheese. Add them to the microwave and let the cheese melt and the sauce warm up.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

myWW points: Blue 3; Green 4; Purple 3

My WW Personal Points: 3 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Fry
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chimichanga
  • Calories: 311
  • Sugar: 3
  • Sodium: 374
  • Fat: 7
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Carbohydrates: 20
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 43

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
  • Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Air Fryer Shrimp co*cktail

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna says

    This is a recipe for air fryer chimichangas. If that's what you want to do then go for it, you don't need to question my recipe. Thanks.

  2. Linda says

    Why dirty the skillet to cook chicken,etc and then the air fryer? Why not brown shells in skillet, put aside, cook filling, combine, put back in skillet to warm and then eat. Easy peasy

  3. Michael Murphy says

    These are delicious and easy too make!

  4. Grace says

    I didn't see the instructions for the air fryer. Can you please send them to me Thank you.

  5. www.primegroupfoods.com says

    There is cerdtainly a lot to learn about this subject.
    I really like all the points you made.

  6. Jenna says

    Yes. You could also just freeze the chicken mixture and take it out when you need it.

  7. Karen says

    Can I freeze the chimichangas? Cannot eat 30+ at one time!!!

  8. Jenna says

    Sorry, the recipe I used, used the oil and I didn't update it to the air fryer version. I updated it with the air fryer instructions.

  9. Liz says

    I love the idea of using my air fryer to make chimichangas, and your ingredients sound great, but do you have any actual air fryer instructions (time/temp)? Your recipe instructions seem to have the user pan-fry the chimichangas in quite a bit of oil instead of using an air fryer which while it sounds delicious :), seems just as unhealthy as deep frying. Thanks!

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Air Fryer Chicken Chimichangas - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

Is El Monterey discontinuing chimichangas? ›

El Monterey's posts

Effective immediately, El Monterey will discontinue production of all Chimichangas. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. How to have a great 1st day of school (including a checklist!) (Answer3) Chimichanga #DayOfAppetizers twitter.com/AxisBank/statu…

How do you seal chimichangas for frying? ›

Wrap the fillings (don't overload the tortilla!) up inside like a burrito: bottom, sides, roll it over. Secure with toothpicks. Fry!

What's the difference between El Monterey chimichangas and burritos? ›

Burritos contain rice and beans and tomatoes in addition to the meat, and they're wrapped but not fried. Chimichangas typically contain only the meat in sauce, and are deep fried, so they are crisp and crunchy on the outside.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What's the difference between fried burritos and chimichangas? ›

Less filling means that the chimichanga can be rolled more neatly, leading to less of a mess in the fryer. Another difference is that burritos aren't usually topped with anything, while chimichangas are frequently smothered with ingredients like melted cheese or salsa.

How long to air fry 3 frozen burritos? ›

Make sure they are in an even layer.

My air fryer can fit 3 at a time. Secure the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400 degrees and the time for 7 minutes. When the timer goes off, remove the basket and flip the burritos. Cook an additional 8 minutes or until the burritos are cooked and warmed through.

What is a wet chimichanga? ›

Chimichangas invariably fall into two basic categories: dry and wet. The former is crisply fried, topped with sour cream and guacamole and perhaps a little cheese. The latter is smothered with a sauce or salsa.

How long do you air fry El Monterey chimichangas? ›

Place 1 chimichanga in air fryer basket. FROZEN: Cook for 6 MINUTES, flip and cook for additional 6 MINUTES.

Why are chimichangas so good? ›

Chimichangas' best and most addictive characteristics are their crunchy shells. Chimichanga fillings vary widely, but the crispy shell is the hallmark of this dish. You can achieve that crispiness by baking, frying or air frying them.

Why is my frozen food soggy in the air fryer? ›

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Frozen food is naturally more prone to becoming mushy as it thaws because it will release water. Though the good news is, jumping this hurdle isn't difficult. Simply preheat your air fryer beforehand because the high heat will more quickly evaporate the water in your frozen food.

Can you cook straight from frozen in air fryer? ›

Can I use my air fryer for frozen food? The answer to this question is, yes – anything is possible with these magical machines. We all know the hassle of waiting for something to defrost before you can cook it, but with an air fryer, you can simply pop the item inside, in its frozen state, and start cooking.

Do you need to flip frozen food in an air fryer? ›

Don't Overcrowd: Give your frozen items some space. Overcrowding can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking. Shake It Up: Depending on what you're cooking, give the basket a gentle shake or flip your food halfway through the cooking time for uniform browning.

Do they sell chimichangas in Mexico? ›

What most folks can agree on, though, is that chimichangas come from America—specifically, the state of Arizona. Interestingly enough, chimichangas are one Mexican-American dish that has gained some popularity in Mexico; they're occasionally enjoyed in the northwestern states of Sinaloa and Sonora.

Do they make chimichangas in Mexico? ›

Regardless of how you believe the chimichanga came into being, few will contest that it is now an integral part of Southwestern American and Tex-Mex cuisines. As well, you'll be hard pressed to find the dish at restaurants in Mexico (at least the way we eat them in the U.S.).

What's the difference between a frozen burrito and a frozen chimichanga? ›

A chimichanga is basically a deep fried burrito with contents that can include: meat, beans, rice, cheese and even vegetables. The frozen ones in the store, really are not that much different from the burritos that are sold. The contents might be a little more substantial in the chimichanga.

Why is a chimichanga not a burrito? ›

A chimichanga is a type of burrito that is deep-fried until crispy, giving it a unique texture and flavor that sets it apart from other burritos. The deep-frying process makes the chimichanga more compact and easier to eat, as the filling is tightly wrapped and held together by the crispy outer layer.

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