Chef Carlos Martinez - Mexican Cuisine Specialist
👨‍🍳 Mexican Food Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 14+ Years Experience 🍽️ Tex-Mex Master

❤️ My Recipe Story

"These seven layer chicken burritos were inspired by my family's Sunday dinners, where we'd create an assembly line to build massive burritos with everyone's favorite ingredients. The key is having all components ready and working quickly while everything is still warm."

Carlos specializes in authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine that brings bold flavors and satisfying portions to the table. His expertise in layering flavors and textures has made his burrito recipes favorites for both weeknight dinners and meal prep.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Large seven layer chicken burrito cut in half showing all the colorful layers - seasoned chicken, rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and fresh toppings

The Art of Perfect Burrito Assembly

Creating the perfect seven layer chicken burrito requires understanding the balance between ingredients and proper assembly technique. The key is layering ingredients strategically to prevent sogginess while ensuring every bite contains all seven delicious components.

Temperature control is crucial for both flavor and texture. Warm components like chicken, rice, and beans should be added first, while cool ingredients like lettuce and tomatoes go on last. This creates the perfect temperature contrast and prevents wilting of fresh ingredients.

💡 Professional Tip

Warm your tortillas before assembly to make them more pliable and prevent tearing. Keep a damp paper towel nearby to wipe your hands between burritos for cleaner assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Assemble burritos without lettuce and tomatoes, wrap tightly in foil, and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Add fresh ingredients when reheating.

Let hot ingredients cool slightly before assembly, drain excess liquid from tomatoes and beans, and don't overfill. Wrap in paper towels if eating immediately to absorb moisture.

Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then microwave wrapped in damp paper towel for 2-3 minutes, or bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Add fresh toppings after reheating.

Absolutely! Ground beef, carnitas, grilled steak, or even black beans for vegetarian work great. Adjust seasoning accordingly and ensure protein is fully cooked.

Don't overfill, tuck sides in firmly before rolling, roll tightly from bottom to top, and let rest seam-side down for a few minutes before cutting or eating.

The beauty of burritos is customization! Use what you have and substitute freely. The core components are protein, beans, rice, and cheese - everything else can be adjusted to taste.

Yes! Cook rice with tomato sauce, onions, garlic, and cumin for authentic flavor. Store-bought Spanish rice or even plain rice with taco seasoning works too.

Store each component separately in refrigerator for up to 4 days. This allows you to build fresh burritos throughout the week or customize each one differently.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Burrito Falls Apart

Problem: Burrito unrolls or tears while eating

Solution: Use larger tortillas, don't overfill, ensure tortillas are warm and pliable, and roll more tightly. Practice makes perfect with burrito rolling technique.

✅

Soggy Tortilla

Problem: Tortilla becomes mushy from moisture

Solution: Let hot ingredients cool slightly, drain beans and tomatoes well, and don't add too much sauce. Consider toasting tortillas lightly before filling.

✅

Uneven Heating

Problem: Some parts hot, others cold when reheating

Prevention: Cut burrito in half before reheating, use lower power in microwave for longer time, or reheat in oven wrapped in foil for more even heating.

✅

Dry Chicken

Problem: Chicken turns out tough or dry

Recovery: Don't overcook chicken, let it rest before slicing, and consider marinating beforehand. Use a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temperature.

✅

Bland Flavor

Problem: Burrito lacks flavor overall

Prevention: Season each component individually, use more spices on chicken, add salt to taste, and don't forget lime juice and hot sauce for brightness.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more lime juice, pickled jalapeños, or hot sauce for acidity

Too Salty: Balance with more rice, fresh tomatoes, or a squeeze of lime

Bland: Increase spices, add hot sauce, lime juice, or fresh cilantro for brightness

Colorful array of seven layer burrito ingredients including seasoned chicken, rice, beans, cheese, fresh vegetables, and tortillas arranged on a wooden cutting board

Building Flavor with Quality Ingredients

The foundation of exceptional seven layer chicken burritos begins with properly seasoned chicken and high-quality tortillas. Choose large, fresh flour tortillas that can accommodate all seven layers without tearing, and season the chicken generously with a blend of Mexican spices for maximum flavor impact.

Fresh ingredients like crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and quality cheese make a significant difference in the final product. The contrast between warm, seasoned components and cool, fresh toppings creates the perfect balance that makes each bite satisfying and delicious.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Chicken Quality: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs stay more moist but breasts work well too. Don't overcook to maintain juiciness.
  • Tortilla Selection: Choose large (10-inch) flour tortillas that are fresh and pliable. Avoid ones that crack when folded, as they'll break during rolling.
  • Cheese Blend: Mexican cheese blends melt better than single cheeses. If unavailable, combine cheddar and Monterey Jack for similar results.
Hands assembling a seven layer burrito showing the proper technique for layering ingredients and rolling the tortilla tightly

Mastering the Assembly Process

The secret to perfect seven layer chicken burritos lies in the assembly order and technique. Start with warm, substantial ingredients like beans and rice that create a stable base, then layer proteins and cheese before finishing with fresh, cold toppings.

Proper rolling technique ensures your burrito stays intact and distributes ingredients evenly throughout. The key is not overfilling, tucking sides in firmly, and rolling tightly while maintaining even pressure to prevent air pockets.

The Perfect Roll

Fold in the sides first, then roll from bottom to top, keeping ingredients compressed. The final seam should be on the bottom to prevent unrolling.

Seven Layer Chicken Burritos

Prep 35 min
Cook 25 min
Serves 8 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For the Chicken & Base

  • 240ml sour cream
    Adds creamy richness
  • 240ml guacamole
    Store-bought or homemade
  • 200g diced tomatoes
    Drain excess liquid
  • 120g shredded lettuce
    Iceberg or romaine work well
  • 60ml pickled jalapeños
    Adds tangy heat
  • 60ml fresh cilantro
    Chopped for fresh flavor
  • 2 limes, wedged
    For serving and brightness

For Assembly & Toppings

  • 8 large flour tortillas
    10-inch size works best
  • 680g boneless chicken breasts
    Or chicken thighs for more flavor
  • 30ml olive oil
    For cooking chicken
  • Mexican spice blend
    Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder
  • 400g cooked Mexican rice
    Homemade or store-bought
  • 400g refried beans
    One 15-oz can, warmed
  • 300g Mexican cheese blend
    Shredded for easy melting

Instructions

  1. Season and Cook Chicken

    Season chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.

  2. Prepare Components

    Warm refried beans in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Heat Mexican rice if needed. Warm tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds or in a dry skillet to make them more pliable for rolling.

  3. Assemble First Layers

    Lay tortilla flat and spread a layer of warm refried beans down the center, leaving 2 inches on each side. Add a layer of Mexican rice over the beans, then top with seasoned chicken strips.

  4. Add Remaining Layers

    Layer on shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Don't overfill to ensure proper rolling.

  5. Roll and Serve

    Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then roll tightly from bottom to top, keeping filling compressed. Cut in half diagonally if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges and hot sauce on the side.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Assembled burritos can be wrapped in foil and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Remove fresh ingredients before freezing and add when reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with Spanish rice, black beans, or tortilla chips and salsa on the side. These pair perfectly with Mexican beer, horchata, or fresh limeade.

Variations

Try different proteins like carnitas, carne asada, or black beans for vegetarian. Add corn, bell peppers, or different salsas. Make breakfast versions with scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes.