Easy Chicken Bell Pepper Ranch Burritos Recipe

A Delicious Family Meal That Everyone Will Love

These colorful, flavorful burritos are perfect when you want something tasty but easy to make. They’re packed with tender chicken, crisp bell peppers, and creamy ranch dressing all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. This recipe is great for using up leftover chicken and makes a satisfying meal any time of day.

Why These Burritos Are Perfect for You

• Easy to make – uses simple ingredients and basic cooking skills
• Great for meal prep – make several and store them for later
• Kid-friendly – mild flavors that children enjoy
• Customizable – add or remove ingredients based on what you like
• Uses leftovers – perfect way to use up cooked chicken
• Filling and satisfying – keeps you full for hours
• Colorful and nutritious – bell peppers add vitamins and crunch

What You Need to Make These Burritos

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped into small pieces
• 1 cup bell peppers, chopped (use any colors you like – red, yellow, green, or orange)
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar works great, but use your favorite)
• 4 large flour tortillas (burrito-size, about 10 inches)

Optional Add-Ins (make it your own):

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup corn kernels (frozen, canned, or fresh)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:

• Large mixing bowl
• Can opener (if using canned beans or corn)
• Large skillet or microwave for warming tortillas
• Baking dish (if you want to bake them)
• Clean kitchen towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken (If You Don’t Have Leftover Chicken)

1. If starting with raw chicken: Cook 2 chicken breasts in a pan with a little oil over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let cool, then shred with two forks.
2. Using rotisserie chicken: Remove skin and bones, then shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. This is the easiest option!
3. Using leftover chicken: Just make sure it’s already cooked and shred or chop it into small pieces.

Step 2: Prepare Your Vegetables

4. Wash the bell peppers under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel.
5. Cut the bell peppers by removing the tops, seeds, and white parts inside. Cut them into small pieces about the size of your thumbnail. Smaller pieces are easier to eat and won’t poke through the tortilla.
6. Prepare optional ingredients by draining and rinsing the black beans if using them, and measuring out your corn.

Step 3: Make the Filling

7. Combine everything in a large bowl by adding the shredded chicken, chopped bell peppers, ranch dressing, and cheese. Mix gently with a large spoon.
8. Add optional ingredients like black beans and corn if you’re using them. Stir everything together until well combined.
9. Season to taste by adding a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste the mixture and add more seasoning if needed. Remember, the ranch dressing and cheese already have salt, so you might not need much.

Step 4: Prepare the Tortillas

10. Warm the tortillas to make them easier to roll:
    • Microwave method: Place tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 20-30 seconds
    • Stovetop method: Heat each tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat for 10-15 seconds per side
    • Oven method: Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes

Step 5: Assemble Your Burritos

11. Lay out your workspace by placing a clean kitchen towel on the counter and having your filling and warm tortillas ready.
12. Fill each tortilla by placing about 3/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla, leaving about 2 inches of space around the edges.
13. Roll carefully:
    • Fold in the sides first – bring the left and right edges of the tortilla toward the center over the filling
    • Roll from bottom to top – starting from the edge closest to you, roll the tortilla tightly but gently
    • Keep it tight – a loose burrito will fall apart when you eat it
14. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Step 6: Serve or Bake (Your Choice)

15. To serve immediately: Place burritos seam-side down on plates and enjoy right away.
16. To bake for extra warmth and melted cheese:
    • Place burritos seam-side down in a baking dish
    • Sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired
    • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted
    • Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving (they’ll be very hot inside!)

Helpful Tips for Perfect Burritos

Chicken Preparation Tips:

• Rotisserie chicken is your friend – it’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you time
• Don’t make chicken too wet – pat it dry if it seems moist to prevent soggy burritos
• Season the chicken – if using plain cooked chicken, add a little salt and pepper

Vegetable Tips:

• Cut vegetables uniformly – this helps them cook evenly and makes eating easier
• Don’t use too many wet ingredients – this can make burritos soggy
• Raw vs. cooked vegetables – bell peppers are great raw for crunch, but you can sauté them for 2-3 minutes if you prefer them softer

Assembly Success:

• Don’t overfill – it’s tempting to add lots of filling, but less is more for easy rolling
• Warm tortillas are key – cold tortillas crack when you roll them
• Practice makes perfect – your first burrito might not be perfect, and that’s okay!

Rolling Technique:

• Keep filling in the center – don’t let it spread to the edges
• Roll tightly but gently – too loose and it falls apart, too tight and the tortilla tears
• Tuck as you roll – keep tucking the sides in as you roll forward

Storage and Meal Prep Information

Making Ahead: You can assemble burritos up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator.

Freezing: These burritos freeze well! Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating:

• From refrigerator: Microwave for 1-2 minutes, turning halfway through
• From frozen: Microwave for 2-3 minutes, turning halfway through, or thaw overnight first
• Oven method: Wrap in foil and heat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes if refrigerated, 25-30 minutes if frozen

Delicious Variations to Try

Different Proteins:

• Turkey instead of chicken
• Beef – use leftover roast beef or cooked ground beef
• Pork – leftover pork roast works great
• Vegetarian – double the beans and add mushrooms

Flavor Variations:

• Mexican style – use salsa instead of ranch, add cumin and chili powder
• Italian style – use Italian dressing instead of ranch, add basil and oregano
• Spicy version – add jalapeños or hot sauce
• BBQ style – use BBQ sauce instead of ranch

Different Vegetables:

• Onions – sauté with the bell peppers
• Tomatoes – dice and add fresh (drain excess liquid)
• Lettuce – add fresh and crisp for crunch
• Avocado – add just before serving to prevent browning

Serving Suggestions

These burritos are great with:

• Fresh salsa and sour cream on the side
• Guacamole for dipping
• Simple green salad for a lighter meal
• Tortilla chips and your favorite dip
• Fresh fruit like orange slices or grapes

Nutrition Benefits

This meal provides:

• Lean protein from chicken to help build strong muscles
• Vitamin C from colorful bell peppers for immune system support
• Fiber from beans (if using) to help with digestion
• Calcium from cheese for strong bones
• Complex carbohydrates from tortillas for lasting energy

Budget-Friendly Tips

• Buy chicken in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze portions
• Use rotisserie chicken – often cheaper per pound than buying raw chicken breasts
• Frozen bell peppers work fine and are often less expensive
• Make your own ranch – it’s cheaper and you can control the ingredients
• Buy tortillas in bulk – they freeze well and are always handy to have

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Burritos fall apart: Don’t overfill them, and make sure tortillas are warm and pliable

Too soggy: Drain any excess liquid from ingredients, and don’t use too much ranch dressing

Tortillas crack: Make sure they’re properly warmed before rolling

Not enough flavor: Add more seasoning to the chicken mixture, or try a different type of ranch dressing

Too dry: Add a bit more ranch dressing or a splash of chicken broth to the mixture

Perfect Occasions for These Burritos

• Busy weeknight dinners when you need something quick
• Lunch for work or school – they travel well
• Casual entertaining – easy to make several at once
• Using up leftovers – great way to repurpose cooked chicken
• Meal prep sessions – make a batch for the week

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (if baking)
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 people (1 burrito each)
Calories: About 450 per burrito
Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners