In a rush? These grilled burritos filled with chicken and broccoli are done in a flash and are family friendly! They’re the perfect solution for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
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Easy Chicken and Broccoli Grilled Burritos: Your New Weeknight Favorite
Let’s face it: getting wholesome, vegetable-packed meals on the table can be a real challenge, especially when juggling the demands of modern family life. Between school pickups, homework, extracurricular activities, and the general hustle and bustle, dinner often feels like a race against the clock. As a parent, I know firsthand how easy it is to overlook or completely skip adding vegetables to a meal when time is tight. A recent study* even highlighted this common struggle, revealing that a significant number of parents admit to neglecting vegetables due to time constraints.
The quest for a perfect family dinner often boils down to two key factors: speed and nutrition. We want meals that are not only quick to prepare but also provide essential nutrients, especially for our growing children. And then there’s the universal challenge of getting kids to actually *eat* their vegetables. Many parents, myself included, have experienced the moment of sitting down to dinner, only to realize there isn’t a single green item on the plate. This realization often sparks a renewed commitment to finding creative ways to incorporate more vegetables into our daily diet.
This is precisely why I’ve been focusing on recipes that seamlessly integrate vegetables directly into the main dish, rather than relying on them as a separate side. This approach often increases the likelihood of everyone enjoying their greens without a fuss. I’ve previously shared delicious, vegetable-boosted recipes like my Tuscan Broccoli Stovetop Mac and Cheese and Skillet Pasta with Sausage. Today, I’m thrilled to bring you another game-changer: these incredibly flavorful and convenient Chicken and Broccoli Grilled Burritos.
Why Grilled Burritos are a Family Favorite
These Chicken and Broccoli Grilled Burritos have earned a permanent spot on our family’s meal rotation. While they’re a popular lunch option, we frequently enjoy them for dinner, too, especially on busy weeknights. This recipe has become a go-to because it takes a simple concept and elevates it with minimal effort, resulting in a meal that’s both satisfying and surprisingly wholesome.
My original version of chicken burritos was quite basic: a tortilla, some shredded cheese, and a generous topping of shredded chicken. I often keep a batch of shredded chicken on hand, which is a fantastic time-saver for countless recipes. I would quickly grill these simple burritos and serve them with classic condiments like salsa, pico de gallo, or a dollop of sour cream. They were good, but they lacked that “wow” factor and, more importantly, a significant vegetable component.
The Secret to Supercharge Your Burritos: Cheesy Rice and Broccoli
The magic truly happens when you introduce a seemingly small addition: a bag of Green Giant™ cheesy rice and broccoli. This simple swap transforms the burritos from merely “good” to “great” with virtually no extra prep time. The combination of chicken and broccoli is a classic for a reason – their flavors complement each other beautifully, and the cheesy rice adds an irresistible creaminess and texture. It’s a wonder I didn’t think of this genius combination sooner!
Incorporating pre-packaged steamed vegetables, like those from Green Giant, is a brilliant hack for busy parents. They are already cut, seasoned, and cook in minutes, meaning you can add a nutritious boost to your meal without the fuss of chopping, steaming, and seasoning raw vegetables. This convenience is key to making vegetable inclusion a consistent part of your family’s diet.
Simple Steps to Delicious Grilled Burritos
This recipe is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time. It truly doesn’t get much easier than this to whip up a satisfying meal. The beauty of these chicken and broccoli grilled burritos lies in their simplicity and versatility.
- Prepare the Base: First, cook the Green Giant™ cheesy rice and broccoli according to the package directions. This usually takes just a few minutes in the microwave.
- Combine & Fill: In a large bowl, combine the freshly cooked cheesy rice and broccoli with your shredded chicken. Lay out your large tortillas. For each burrito, place about a quarter of the shredded cheddar cheese down the center, followed by a generous portion of the chicken and broccoli mixture.
- Wrap It Up: Neatly tuck in the ends of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly to form a compact burrito. The goal is to create a secure package that won’t unravel during grilling.
- Grill to Perfection: Heat a grill pan or a griddle over medium heat. Lightly spray the surface with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the burritos seam-side down on the hot surface. Cook until they are beautifully golden brown and crisp, typically 2-3 minutes per side. Flip them carefully and cook the opposite side until evenly browned and heated through, ensuring the cheese inside is perfectly melted and gooey.
The grilling step is what truly sets these burritos apart. It adds a wonderful smoky flavor, creates a satisfyingly crisp exterior, and most importantly, helps melt the cheese and meld all the ingredients together into a harmonious, flavorful filling. Whether you use a dedicated grill pan or a flat griddle, the result is a comforting, handheld meal that’s bursting with flavor.
Customization and Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about these chicken and broccoli grilled burritos is how adaptable they are. Feel free to experiment with different varieties of Green Giant Steamers to introduce new flavors or different vegetables. Spinach and artichoke, or even a mixed vegetable blend, could work wonderfully. You can also vary the cheese – Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or even pepper jack for a little kick would be delicious.
For an extra boost of flavor and nutrition, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, a dash of hot sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice to the chicken and broccoli mixture before rolling. These burritos are fantastic on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a simple side salad, a bowl of black beans, or a spoonful of your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Don’t forget a side of extra steamed veggies if you want to double down on your greens!
In just about 20 minutes, you can have a flavorful, vegetable-inclusive dinner on the table. It’s a testament to how easy it can be to incorporate healthy ingredients into your family’s diet without sacrificing taste or precious time. Find even more ideas for great recipes packed with vegetables on the Green Giant Website!
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Chicken and Broccoli Grilled Burritos
Deborah Harroun
10
10
20
4
servings
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Ingredients
- 1 12 oz package Green Giant Cheesy Rice and Broccoli
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 large 12-inch tortillas
Instructions
- Cook the cheesy rice and broccoli according to package directions.
- In a large bowl, combine the cheesy rice and broccoli and shredded chicken. Put 1/4 of the cheese down the center of each tortilla, followed by 1/4 of the chicken mixture, then tuck the ends in and roll up the burritos.
- Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Spray the surface with nonstick cooking spray and put the burritos, seam side down, on the grill. Cook until golden brown and crisp, then turn and cook the opposite side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
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*The 2014 Fresh Takes with Green Giant Frozen Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted by ORC International from August 5-8, 2014 among a sample of 986 American parents of children under the age of 18, comprising 487 men and 499 women.
I am in a working relationship with Green Giant, and this post has been sponsored. I’m so glad to be able to work with companies and organizations that I truly believe in. Thank you for supporting them, too.