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+ servings
Sheila Browder

High Protein Chicken Burrito Recipe

I absolutely love a good burrito for lunch or dinner, especially when it's packed with lean protein and real nutrition. This high protein chicken burrito hits all the marks — it's satisfying, filling, and keeps you energized for hours. If you're a fan of hearty meals, you might also enjoy my Bean Rice Cheese Burrito Recipe for a vegetarian twist, or try Barbecue Chicken Recipe With Barbecue Sauce for a different flavor profile.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 451

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Filling
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika brings subtle smokiness
  • ¼ cup yellow onion diced small for quick cooking
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder concentrates garlic flavor nicely
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat as you like
  • ½ cup green bell pepper sliced thin for brightness and crunch
  • ½ cup red bell pepper sliced into thin strips for color and sweetness
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil for cooking the chicken gently
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder not spicy, just deep flavor
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin adds warmth and earthiness
  • 18 ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs diced into small ¼ to ½ inch pieces for even cooking
  • 15.5 ounce canned diced tomatoes with green chilies drained thoroughly to avoid soggy tortillas
  • 8 ounce canned black beans drained and rinsed well
For the Tortillas and Assembly
  • 6 flour tortillas 9-inch size, they wrap perfectly without cracking
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded, approximately 3 ounces
For the Creamy Ranch Sauce
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for spicy sauce lovers
  • 2 tablespoon ranch salad dressing adds that familiar flavor
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cumin adjust based on preference
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar balances the savory elements
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt full-fat works best for texture and taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ties it to the filling flavors
  • 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning mix adjust this to your taste preference

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare Your Sauce Base
  1. Start with your sauce because it's the simplest part and can sit while you cook everything else. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing and 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning. Add 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar — this is key because it balances the salty, savory elements. Stir in ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika and ½ to 1 teaspoon of cumin. Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your preference. If you want heat, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. The sauce should taste creamy, slightly tangy, and flavorful. Set this aside in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cook Your Chicken Perfectly
  1. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's shimmering, add your diced chicken (about 18 ounces total). You want the chicken in a single layer so it browns nicely rather than steaming. Let it cook undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden. Stir and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. This should take about 7-9 minutes total.
Step 3: Add Your Vegetables and Seasonings
  1. Now add your diced onion and both the red and green bell peppers to the chicken. Stir well and let everything cook together for about 3-4 minutes, just until the vegetables soften slightly but still have some texture. You're looking for them to be warm and fragrant but not mushy. This is where your dish really comes alive. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if you're using it. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together so the spices coat everything evenly. Cook for about 1 minute until you can really smell those spices blooming.
Step 4: Incorporate the Beans and Tomatoes
  1. Add your drained black beans and drained diced tomatoes with chilies to the skillet. Stir everything together gently and let it warm through for about 2-3 minutes. Don't over-stir at this point because you want to keep the beans and tomato pieces somewhat intact. The mixture should look colorful, aromatic, and delicious. Taste it one more time and adjust your seasonings if needed — sometimes I add a touch more cumin or a squeeze of lime juice here. Let this cool for a few minutes before assembling.
Step 5: Warm Your Tortillas
  1. While your filling cools slightly, prepare your tortillas. You can do this a few ways — I usually wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds, which keeps them soft and pliable. Alternatively, you can warm them directly over a gas flame for just a few seconds per side, or wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. Warm tortillas are essential because they won't tear when you roll them.
Step 6: Build Your Burritos
  1. Lay out one warm tortilla on a flat surface. Spread about 2-3 tablespoons of your Greek yogurt sauce in the center of the tortilla, leaving about 2 inches on all sides. Add about ¾ cup of your chicken and vegetable filling on top of the sauce. Sprinkle with about 2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese. Now here's the rolling technique I use: fold the bottom of the tortilla up and over the filling, then fold in the left and right sides, and finally roll the top down tightly. Roll firmly but not so tight that the tortilla tears. Place seam-side down on a serving plate. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
  1. These are best served warm, right after you've made them. You can serve them whole, or if you prefer, cut them in half diagonally for a nice presentation. I like to place the seam-side down on the plate so it looks finished and professional. Some people like to add extra toppings like fresh cilantro, additional cheese, or a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side. That's totally your call.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 36gFat: 15g

Notes

- Don't skip the draining step - Thoroughly drain your canned beans and tomatoes. Excess liquid makes soggy burritos, and soggy burritos fall apart. Trust me on this one.
- Cut chicken into consistent sizes - The more uniform your chicken pieces, the faster and more evenly they cook. Aim for ¼ to ½ inch cubes.
- Warm tortillas before rolling - Cold tortillas tear. Warm ones bend beautifully. It's a small step that makes a huge difference.
- Make your sauce ahead - The Greek yogurt sauce actually tastes better if you make it 30 minutes to a few hours before you need it, allowing flavors to meld.
- Season aggressively - Don't be shy with your spices. Taste as you go and adjust. Bland burritos are sad burritos.
- Use a skillet large enough - Crowding your skillet means the chicken steams instead of sears. A 12-inch skillet is ideal.

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