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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Chimichanga

A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito, typically made with a flour tortilla filled with ingredients such as meat, beans, rice, and cheese.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito, typically stuffed with meat, beans, rice, and cheese. It's a staple of Tex-Mex and Southwestern U.S. cuisine.

What it is

A chimichanga is a flour tortilla filled with rice, beans, cheese, and meat, then folded and deep-fried until crisp. Common fillings include shredded chicken, pork, or beef. The result is a crispy, golden-brown burrito often served with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Origin and history

The exact origin of the chimichanga is disputed, but it is widely linked to the United States, especially Arizona. Many sources trace it to Tex-Mex cuisine in the 20th century. Several restaurants claim to have invented it, making it a classic American border dish.

Serving and variations

Chimichangas are typically topped with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or cheese. Regional variations exist, and Canadian restaurants and grocery stores commonly feature them as part of Tex-Mex dining. The dish is familiar to Canadian readers through North American casual dining menus.

In short

  • A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito.
  • Fillings typically include rice, beans, cheese, and meat.
  • It's a Tex-Mex and Southwestern U.S. dish.
  • Its exact origin is disputed, but often linked to Arizona.
Canadian angle

Canadian restaurants and grocery stores commonly feature chimichangas as part of Tex-Mex dining, and the dish is familiar to Canadian readers through North American casual dining menus.

Quick questions

What is a chimichanga?
A chimichanga is a burrito that has been deep-fried, usually until crisp.
What is inside a chimichanga?
Common fillings include rice, beans, cheese, and meat such as chicken, pork, or beef.
Where did the chimichanga come from?
Its exact origin is disputed, but it is often linked to Arizona, especially Tucson, in the 20th century.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimichanga
    Supports: Defines chimichanga as a deep-fried burrito and describes common fillings, cuisine associations, and serving accompaniments.
  2. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimichanga
    Supports: Dictionary definition of chimichanga as a tortilla wrapped around a filling and deep-fried.
  3. Cambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chimichanga
    Supports: Definition describing a folded flour tortilla filled with rice, beans, cheese, or meat and fried.
  4. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/chimichanga
    Supports: Definition describing a crisp, often deep-fried tortilla with a spicy filling.
  5. Britannica Dictionaryhttps://www.britannica.com/dictionary/chimichanga
    Supports: Definition of chimichanga as a tortilla wrapped around a filling and deep-fried.
  6. Food Networkhttps://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-a-chimichanga
    Supports: Explains the dish as a deep-fried burrito and notes its disputed Arizona origin.