Last Updated on October 11, 2023
Seafood chimichangas are a delicious and flavorful twist on the classic Mexican dish. Combining seafood with creamy, zesty flavors, these chimichangas are sure to be a hit at any meal. With just a few simple steps, you can create this restaurant-worthy dish right in your own kitchen.
The key to making perfect seafood chimichangas is using fresh and high-quality ingredients. From the succulent seafood to the creamy sauce and fresh toppings, each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors.
Follow this easy and step-by-step guide to make your own seafood chimichangas at home and impress your family and friends with this delectable meal.
What is Seafood Chimichanga?
A chimichanga is a popular Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla filled with various ingredients, typically meats and vegetables, and then fried until crispy. Seafood chimichangas follow the same concept but use seafood as the main filling instead.
The seafood used in chimichangas can vary, but the most common options are shrimp and crab meat. These ingredients provide a delicate and savory taste to the chimichanga, making it a perfect choice for seafood lovers.
Along with the creamy sauce and fresh toppings, seafood chimichangas offer a burst of flavor in every bite. Whether it’s for a cozy night in or a dinner party, these chimichangas are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Seafood Chimichanga?
There are many reasons why you’ll love this seafood chimichanga. Firstly, the combination of juicy shrimp and rich crab meat creates an incredible flavor that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
The yummy sauce adds a luxurious touch to every bite, while the fresh toppings provide a refreshing contrast to the warm and savory filling.
Secondly, this dish is incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require any special skills or techniques. With just a few simple steps, you can create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.
Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate more seafood into your diet while still enjoying all the deliciousness of the dish.
You’ll also like the following Dinner recipes!
- Nelson’s Port a Pit Chicken
- Chiavetta’s Chicken Marinade Copycat Recipe
- How to make Trader Joe’s Yellow Curry
Ingredients
- Onions: Onions add a delicious crunch and flavor to the seafood chimichanga.
- Small Shrimp: Shrimp is an essential ingredient in this, providing a delicate and savory taste to the overall dish.
- Lump Crab Meat: Crab meat adds richness to the chimichanga and complements the shrimp perfectly.
- Butter: Butter adds a creamy and rich texture to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the seafood.
- Soft Avocados: Avocados add a refreshing touch to the chimichanga, providing a balance to the richness of the other ingredients.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds a smooth and velvety texture to the dish, making it even more satisfying.
- Lettuce: Lettuce adds a crisp and fresh element to the seafood chimichanga, providing a contrast to the warm and savory filling.
- American Cheese: The cheese adds a gooey and comforting texture to the dish, making it even more delicious.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce.
- Tortillas: Tortillas are used to wrap the filling and create the chimichanga.
- Chicken Bouillon: The bouillon adds depth of flavor to the creamy sauce, making it even more tasty.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a tangy and refreshing element to the seafood chimichanga.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes add a juicy and fresh taste to the dish.
- Cilantro: Cilantro adds a herby and aromatic flavor to the seafood chimichanga.
- Jalapenos: Jalapenos add spiciness to the dish, adding another layer of flavor.
Directions
Step 1
Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat.
- Add in the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent.
- Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid any lumps.
- Let the mixture thicken for about 5 minutes, then add in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to further thicken the sauce.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Once thick, turn off the heat and set aside.
Step 2
Cook the Seafood Filling
- In a separate pan, melt 4 teaspoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add in the shrimp and cook until they turn pink.
- Stir in the lump crab meat and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir well.
Step 3
Assemble the Chimichangas
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface and add a few spoonfuls of the seafood filling in the center.
- Top with some sliced avocados and shredded lettuce.
- Wrap the tortilla tightly, tucking in the ends to create a burrito-like shape.
- Place the chimichangas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam side down.
- Brush each chimichanga with melted butter for a golden and crispy finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the tortilla is crispy.
Step 4
Prepare the Toppings
- While the chimichangas are baking, prepare your toppings by mixing together the diced onions, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos in a bowl.
Step 5
Serve
- Once the chimichangas are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Serve with the creamy sauce on top and sprinkle with the fresh toppings.
Notes
- For a healthier option, you can use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas for the chimichangas.
- You can also add some shredded cheese to the seafood filling before wrapping it in the tortilla for an extra gooey and cheesy chimichanga.
- Make sure to tuck in the ends of the tortilla tightly when wrapping to prevent any filling from spilling out during baking.
- You can also add some diced bell peppers or jalapenos to the seafood filling for added spice.
Storage Tips
- If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the chimichangas for about 10 minutes until they are crispy again.
- You can also heat them in a skillet on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few suggestions on how you can serve this delicious seafood chimichanga:
- Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete meal.
- Top with some diced avocado, sour cream, and salsa for an extra burst of flavor.
- You can also add some hot sauce or chipotle mayo for those who love a little heat in their meals.
- For a lighter option, serve with a side salad and some avocado dressing for dipping.
- This dish also pairs well with a cold and refreshing Mexican beer or a glass of white wine.
What other substitute can I use in Seafood Chimichanga?
- If you’re not a fan of seafood, you can substitute the shrimp and lump crab meat with cooked chicken or beef. You can also use a combination of both for a heartier filling.
- For vegetarians, you can use sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms as the filling instead of seafood or meat.
- If you have dietary restrictions, you can use gluten-free tortillas and dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond milk for the creamy sauce.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Oven
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 6 onions chopped
- 2 lb small shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 cups lump crab meat
- 6 teaspoon butter
- 4 medium size soft avocados sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- shredded lettuce
- 3 cups American cheese
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 10- inch tortillas
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- Toppings
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 onions diced
- 4 tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
- 4 chopped jalapenos
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the creamy sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in the chopped onions and cook until they are translucent. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Allow the mixture to thicken for approximately 5 minutes, then add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to further thicken the sauce. Stir in 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon and let it simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Once thickened, turn off the heat and set the sauce aside.
- Next, cook the seafood filling. In a separate pan, melt 4 teaspoons of butter over medium heat. Add in the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Then, stir in the lump crab meat and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add in some lemon juice and stir well.
- Now it’s time to assemble the chimichangas. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface and add a generous amount of the seafood filling in the center. Top with sliced avocados and shredded lettuce. Wrap the tortilla tightly, tucking in the ends to create a burrito-like shape. Place the chimichangas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam side down. Brush each chimichanga with melted butter for a golden and crispy finish.
- Bake the chimichangas in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the tortilla is crispy. While they are baking, prepare your toppings by mixing together diced onions, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapenos in a bowl.
- Once the chimichangas are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Serve with the creamy sauce on top and sprinkle with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- For a healthier option, you can use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas for the chimichangas.
- You can also add some shredded cheese to the seafood filling before wrapping it in the tortilla for an extra gooey and cheesy chimichanga.
- Make sure to tuck in the ends of the tortilla tightly when wrapping to prevent any filling from spilling out during baking.
- You can also add some diced bell peppers or jalapenos to the seafood filling for added spice.
Nutrition
FAQs
What are the health benefits of the chimichanga?
The seafood chimichanga is a good source of protein and healthy fats from the shrimp, crab meat, and avocado. It also contains vitamins and minerals from the lettuce, tomatoes, and other fresh toppings.
Can I use frozen seafood for this?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp and lump crab meat. Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking according to the instructions. Additionally, you can also use canned seafood if fresh is not available.
Is this safe to consume for pregnant women?
It is safe for pregnant women to consume this dish as long as all the seafood is cooked properly. However, it’s always best to consult with your doctor before consuming any new dishes during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Seafood chimichanga is a perfect dish to serve for a family dinner or while hosting guests. It’s a great and satisfying meal that can be customized to your liking. Give it a try.
Please share this article with your family and friends, and let us know how it turned out in the comments below. Thank you for reading.
You’ll also like these latest recipes!
Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more
