Black Bean and Chayote Burritos
Chicken, beans, chayote (a gourd popular in Central America), and cheese combine for a full-flavored filling in this burrito recipe.

Prep Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
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4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (12 ounces total)
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1 cup chicken broth or water
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1 bay leaf
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1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
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8 10-inch flour tortillas
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1/2 cup chopped onion
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1 tablespoon cooking oil
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1 15-ounce can black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
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1 or 2 jalapeno peppers or serrano peppers, seeded and finely chopped, or one 4-ounce can diced green chilies, drained
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1 ripe medium chayote squash, thinly sliced, or 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned
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1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
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1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
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1 cup salsa (optional)
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Cherry tomatoes (optional)
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Thyme sprigs (optional)
Directions
1.
In a medium skillet place chicken breasts, chicken broth or water, bay leaf, and cumin. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Drain, reserving broth. Let chicken stand until cool. Use a fork to pull chicken apart into long, thin shreds. Set aside. Remove bay leaf from broth.
2.
Stack tortillas and wrap tightly in foil. Heat in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes to soften.
3.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook the chopped onion in hot oil until tender but not brown. Carefully add beans; jalapeno, serrano, or green chilies; and 1/4 cup of the reserved broth. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, mash beans in skillet (mixture should be thick). Remove from heat.
4.
Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the bean mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Top each with some of the shredded chicken, chayote or orange, cheese, and cilantro or parsley. Fold the sides of each tortilla over the filling, overlapping the sides and forming a cone shape. Fasten each burrito with a wooden toothpick.
5.
Arrange the burritos on a baking sheet. Cover lightly with foil. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the burritos are heated through. If desired, serve with salsa and garnish with cherry tomatoes and thyme sprigs. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Nutrition information
Calories 723, Total Fat 23 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Sodium 909 mg, Carbohydrate 82 g, Protein 44 g.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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Recommended Recipe:
Chayote Salad
The pale green wrinkled fruit, chayote (chi-OH-tay), has a shape similar to avocado, firm texture, moist flesh, and tastes like a cross between cucumber and apple. Look for it September through May; prepare and serve it similar to summer squash.
See Recipe

