Chimichanga, with beans
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito, typically filled with meat, cheese, and beans, creating a delightfully crispy, golden shell that gives way to a savory, steaming interior. The beans add a creamy, earthy texture and a boost of plant-based protein and fiber to the rich, fried package. It's a calorie-dense comfort food where the fiber from the beans helps slightly moderate the glycemic impact of the refined flour tortilla.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 41% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the ultimate textural contrast: the shattering crunch of the fried tortilla against the soft, savory filling. It's a beloved staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, often customized with toppings like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, making it a versatile and festive meal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The deep-frying process adds significant fat and calories, and the refined flour tortilla can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes. To counteract, opt for a smaller portion, pair it with a large side salad or vegetables to increase fiber and volume, and choose fresh salsas over creamy sauces. Those watching sodium should be aware that restaurant versions can be high in salt.
Key benefits
- Good source of plant-based protein from beans
- Contains dietary fiber for digestive health
- Provides iron and folate from the bean filling
- Offers a satisfying mix of protein, carbs, and fats for energy
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The origin of the chimichanga is often attributed to a Phoenix, Arizona restaurant in the 1950s, where a burrito was accidentally dropped into a deep fryer, creating the now-famous crispy dish.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.0 g |
| Energy | 260 kcal |
| Protein | 7.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 26.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 94.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 36.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 150 mg |
| Potassium, K | 222 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 409 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.77 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 10.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.26 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.15 mg |
| Niacin | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 78.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 27.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 51.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 97.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 17.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.05 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 9.0 ug |
| Retinol | 9.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 13.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.2 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.83 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.55 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 4.0 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between a chimichanga and a burrito?
A burrito is a soft flour tortilla wrapped around a filling. A chimichanga is essentially a burrito that has been deep-fried, giving it a crispy, golden exterior.
Are chimichangas always filled with beans?
No, while beans are a very common and traditional filling component, chimichangas can be filled with various ingredients like shredded beef, chicken, pork, or just cheese. The version with beans is a popular staple.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can bake or air-fry the chimichanga instead of deep-frying to reduce oil. Using whole-wheat tortillas and loading up on vegetable and bean fillings also improves the nutritional profile.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.60 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 4.4 g fiber · 1.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.84 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.