The image showcases a decadent and satisfying meal: large, tightly-rolled tortillas stuffed with savory chicken chunks, smothered in a creamy white cheese sauce, and finished with a drizzle of melted yellow cheese. These Smothered Burritos (sometimes called Wet Burritos or Chicken Enchilada Burritos) are the epitome of comfort food, offering a rich filling and a gooey, creamy topping.
This recipe focuses on creating deeply seasoned chicken and a simple, scratch-made creamy white sauce that melts perfectly under the broiler.
✨ Ingredients for Smothered Cheesy Chicken Burritos
We will focus on the seasoned chicken filling and the two layers of sauce and cheese that smother the outside.
1. 🍗 The Chicken Filling
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (visible in the filling).
- Seasoning: 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning (or a blend of cumin, chili powder, paprika), 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper.
- Binder: 1/4 cup Cream Cheese, softened (optional, for creaminess in the filling).
- Tortillas: 6-8 large Flour Tortillas (Burrito size).
2. 🧀 The Smothering White Sauce
- Roux: 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour.
- Liquid: 1.5 cups Chicken Broth, 1/2 cup Heavy Cream.
- Flavor: 1 clove Garlic, minced, 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano, 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg.
- Cheese: 1 cup shredded White Cheese (e.g., Monterey Jack or Mozzarella).
- Top Cheese: 1/2 cup shredded Yellow Cheese (e.g., Cheddar or Colby Jack) for the final drizzle.
👩🍳 Instructions: Sear, Stuff, and Smother
This dish involves a quick sear of the chicken, assembly, and a short bake/broil to melt the cheese and sauce.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Make Filling Creamy (Optional): Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts and coats the chicken chunks. Set the chicken filling aside.
Step 2: Make the Smothering White Sauce
- Make Roux: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create the roux.
- Add Liquid: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then whisk in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently until the sauce thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).
- Melt Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, nutmeg, and 1 cup of the white shredded cheese until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and seasoned to taste. Keep warm.
Step 3: Assemble, Smother, and Bake
- Assemble Burritos: Preheat the oven to 375^{\circ}\text{F} (190^{\circ}\text{C}). Lay out the tortillas. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the warm chicken filling into the center of each tortilla. Roll them tightly, tucking in the sides to seal the filling.
- Smother: Place the rolled burritos side-by-side in a 9 \times 13 inch baking dish. Pour the warm white cheese sauce generously over the top of the burritos, ensuring they are fully “smothered”.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes to heat the burritos through and allow the sauce to set slightly.
- Broil Finish: Sprinkle the yellow shredded cheese (Cheddar/Colby Jack) in streaks over the top of the white sauce. Switch the oven to broiler mode (or increase heat to 450^{\circ}\text{F}) and broil for 1-2 minutes until the yellow cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly and lightly browned in spots. Watch carefully!
Step 4: Serve
- Plate: Carefully lift the hot, smothered burritos onto serving plates.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve immediately with extra sauce spooned over the plate.
💡 Burrito Master Tips
- Tuck and Roll: Tightly rolling the burritos and tucking the ends is essential for a clean presentation and preventing the Creamy Chicken Filling from escaping during baking.
- Warm Tortillas: Briefly warming the tortillas (microwave for 15 seconds) makes them more pliable and prevents cracking when rolling large Smothered Burritos.
- The Sauce is Key: The Creamy White Cheese Sauce (often called Gravy or Salsa Blanca) is what transforms this from a standard burrito into a rich, decadent Smothered Burrito Casserole.
- Broiler for Browning: Using the broiler for the final step is the quickest way to achieve the beautiful melt and light char on the top cheese layer.