If I had to choose a favorte cuisine it would be southwestern and Mexican food. To date I haven’t released any recipes in that style. My first entry is going to be my bean, cheese and chicken burritos. These burritos are real simple to make and great tasting. I make a bunch of them in a casserole dish so I can save them for leftovers or for serving lots of people.

Bean, Cheese and Chicken Burrito

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 6 large tortillas
• 16 oz can tomato sauce
• 4 oz water
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 3 chipotle’s in adobo sauce
• 1 can refried beans
• 3/4 lb pepper jack cheese – grated
• 3/4 lb cheddar cheese

Roasting the chicken. For this recipe use 4 chicken breasts. To get started, roast the chicken breasts at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. When they are done the juices will run clear when poked with a knife or fork. A meat thermometer can also be used. The internal temperature should reach 170. When chicken is done roasting, remove from oven and let cool. When chicken is cooled enough to handle it can be shredded. I use 2 forks to shred and put into a bowl.

The sauce is what pulls everything together in this burrito. This red sauce can be used in many Mexican dishes. Combine tomato sauce, water, cumin, oregano, garlic and finely chopped chipotle’s in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cook 5 more minutes. This recipe will make enough sauce for the burritos. However, if you want to make more it will keep in the refrigerator just fine.

The burritos are now ready to be assembled.

• In the middle of a tortilla, evenly spread 1/6 of can refried beans from the top to bottom.
• Add 1/2 cup shredded chicken on top of beans
• Add 1/2 cup grated pepper jack cheese on top of chicken
• Pour 2 tbsp red sauce on cheese
• Roll up burrito and place in 13×9 baking dish
• Repeat for 5 remaining burritos
• Top burritos with remaining red sauce

Cover baking dish and cook at 300 degrees in oven for 30 minutes.  Uncover, top with cheddar cheese, and cook 15 more minutes.

Each burrito is a single serving. Top with sour cream or other favorite Mexican condiments. Serves 6.