These Chicken Sausage, Black Beans, And Cilantro-Lime Rice Burritos are delicious and so easy to make. Today I’m using Italian chicken sausage. It’s much leaner and adds a really nice flavor.
Pan searing the outside of the whole-grain tortillas gives these burritos great texture.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 20 minutes
Yields: 8 servings
Equipment: 1 (12-inch) sauté pan, 1 (12-inch) cast-iron skillet, 1 (cast-iron) grill-press, non-stick cooking spray, chef’s knife, 1 (3-quart) saucepot, 2 large serving bowls, Microplane, chef’s knife
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 pound of Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
1 tablespoon of Kosher salt
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of Fajita seasoning
1 1/2 cups of chicken stock, unsalted
1 lime, juiced
1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, low sodium, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup of cilantro, roughly chopped
8 large whole-grain flour tortillas (substitute flour tortillas)
1 package (8 ounces) of finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
Cilantro Lime Rice
Pico de Gallo
Ingredients For Cilantro Lime Rice:
1 bag of Success (boil-in-a-bag) Basmati white rice (substitute brown rice)
1 tablespoon of Kosher salt
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup of cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons of lime zest (2 to 3 limes)
1 lime, juiced
Ingredients For Pico de Gallo:
1-pint of red grape tomatoes halved
1-pint of yellow grape tomatoes halved
1 Fresno chili, seeded and minced (substitute jalapeno)
1 lime, juiced
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
Ingredients For Fajita Seasoning:
8 teaspoons of chili powder
4 tablespoons of cornstarch
4 teaspoons of Kosher salt
4 teaspoons of smoked paprika
4 teaspoons of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of onion powder
4 teaspoons of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
Note: Recipe yields approx. 2 1/2 cups of Fajita seasoning.
Directions For Seasoning:
In a medium-size mixing bowl add all the ingredients from the above list, mix to combine. Tip: Store in an air-tight container, in a cool dry place.
Directions For Cilantro Lime Rice:
In a 3-quart saucepot, over medium-high heat, add 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Submerge 1 unopened bag of rice. Bring to a boil add Kosher salt. Boil uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes. Using a pair of tongs to remove the bag from the saucepan. Drain all excess water remaining in the bag containing the rice. Carefully cut open the bag with scissors before transferring the rice to a large mixing bowl. Add lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and fresh ground black pepper, stir to combine. Set aside.
Directions For Pico de Gallo:
In a large mixing bowl add all the ingredients from the list above for the Pico de Gallo. Toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, transfer to the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill before serving.
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat add olive oil and the diced onions, Kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
Stirring frequently, cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until onions become soft and translucent. Add red pepper flakes, minced garlic, cook for 1 minute more. Next, add the chicken sausage. Using the back of a wooden spoon start breaking the sausage up. Add 2 tablespoons of the Fajita seasoning. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 5 to 7 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
Add chicken stock and fresh lime juice, reduce the heat to medium-low, simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After the sausage has been simmering for 25 minutes add the black beans, mix to combine. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes allowing the beans to heat through. With the heat off, add the chopped cilantro.
Start by warming up 8 whole-grain flour tortillas. Place a tortilla on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on the number of tortillas. This process makes them pliable.
Layout the tortilla on a flat surface. Place 2 tablespoons of the chicken sausage on the bottom third of the tortilla, add small amounts of Colby jack cheese, cilantro-lime rice, and finally, the Pico de gallo. Once you have all the fillings in place, pull the bottom half of the burrito over the meet the top half. Then, pull the tortillas back. This will form the filling into a roll. Next, fold one side in. Then the other side. With both ends folded, tightly roll your tortilla.
Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly spray non-stick cooking spray on each side of the burrito. Set the burrito into the hot skillet placing the grill press on top. Every 30 seconds, check the burrito. You’re looking for a golden brown color. This process happens quickly. Flip the burrito and repeat on the other side.
To serve, slice the burritos on the bias and served with a side of my Pico de Gallo. You can see the layers of deliciousness inside. I felt really good about this dish. Using leaner meat, and a whole grain tortilla, this meal was totally guilt-free and super satisfying.
There you have it, my Chicken Sausage, Black Beans, And Cilantro-Lime Rice Burritos.
https://lindalouhamel.com/2019/07/10/summer-time-flowers-and-herbs/
https://lindalouhamel.com/2014/08/05/pico-de-gallo-two-ways/
