Go Back
Two grilled chicken burritos cut in half and stacked on a white plate, showing rice, avocado, corn, and beans inside.
Maryam

Grilled Chicken Burritos

Juicy marinated chicken, charred on the grill and wrapped in warm tortillas with cilantro-lime rice and creamy avocado.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more for rice
For the Rice and Assembly
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1.5 cup chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup cilantro chopped, divided
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 4 large flour tortillas burrito-size
  • 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 0.5 cup sour cream

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • Medium saucepan
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt in a shallow dish. Add chicken and turn to coat. Marinate at room temperature while you prep the rice, or refrigerate up to 4 hours.
Cook the Rice
  1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Combine with chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Stir in half the cilantro and all the lime zest.
Grill the Chicken
  1. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill 5-6 minutes per side until charred in spots and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Transfer to a cutting board and rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
Warm the Tortillas
  1. Working one at a time, warm tortillas directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side until pliable with light char marks. Keep wrapped in a clean towel.
Assemble the Burritos
  1. Lay a tortilla on your work surface. Mound 3/4 cup rice slightly off-center, top with a quarter of the chicken, 1/4 cup cheese, a few avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream. Fold sides in, then roll tightly from the bottom, tucking as you go. Place seam-side down. Repeat with remaining burritos.
  2. For a crispy exterior, place assembled burritos seam-side down in a hot dry skillet and cook 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Serve with remaining cilantro scattered on top.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier on the grill than breast meat, but either works well. Make the rice up to 3 days ahead and reheat with a splash of water. For a freezer option, wrap assembled burritos tightly in foil and freeze up to 1 month; reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes.