These Skinny Chimichangas are a GREAT light Mexican recipe for those watching their waistlines.
Skinny Chimichangas
I first made this recipe almost ten years ago when I was following the very old Weight Watchers program. Back in those days, you had to count points for every single thing you put in your mouth. It was a lot harder to keep track, and a lot more difficult to follow the program.
These days, you can eat so many more things! I think the Weight Watchers people have done a ton of research and have figured out that healthier-type foods shouldn’t need to be “counted” into your daily totals. If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card at the end of this post.
🛒Ingredients needed:
- lean ground turkey
- onion and garlic
- chili powder, oregano and cumin
- tomato sauce
- mild green chilies
- reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- low carb flour tortillas
✏️How to make Skinny Chimichangas:
*The complete, printable recipe with all ingredients and instructions is at the end of this post.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a nonstick baking sheet with nonstick spray.
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Spray a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray; set over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon until browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and chiles; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are blended and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar.
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Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven to warm for 10 minutes.
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Spoon about ½ cup of the filling into the center of each tortilla. Fold in the sides, then roll to enclose the filling. Place the chimichangas, seam-side down, on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the tortillas with nonstick spray. Bake until golden and crisp, about 20 minutes. Do not turn.
➡️Recipe Tips:
- Top these chimichangas with your favorite salsa, sour cream and guacamole for extra calories (of course).
- The tortillas called for in this recipe are fat free, but you can certainly use regular flour tortillas if you don’t care about that.
- Don’t worry if your folded chimichangas don’t look perfect. They’ll still taste delicious!
✔️What to serve with Skinny Chimichangas:
- If you’re making these for the “skinny” part, serve them with a low fat side like my Basil Lime Fruit Salad.
- Not so worried about the calories? Try serving them with Mexican Coleslaw or Spanish Rice.
- Some grilled zucchini would also go nicely with these Skinny Chimichangas.
★How to Store:
The recipe only makes 4 chimichangas, so you’re not likely to have leftovers, but if you do wrap them tightly and store in the refrigerator. Eat with in the next 2 days.
❤️Why I love this recipe:
- I love this great way to enjoy comfort food (Mexican food!) that I’m often craving when trying to eat light. It’s pretty much guilt-free.
- The prep on these is so easy that I can have them baking in under 30 minutes. Then I can sit back and relax while they bake.
- It’s always a win when the whole family enjoys a recipe. This is one of those. (No need to mention the skinny part!)
Favorite Skinny Recipes:
- Skinny Chocolate- Caramel Banana Bread
- Skinny Cheeseburger Casserole
- Weight Watchers Skinny Chicken Spaghetti
- Skinny Taco Pizza
- Skinny Ice Cocktails
Skinny Chimichangas
Ingredients
- 8 ounces 99% lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped mild green chiles
- ⅓ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- Four 8-inch low carb flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a nonstick baking sheet with nonstick spray.
- Spray a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray; set over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano and cumin. Cook, breaking up the turkey with a wooden spoon until browned, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and chiles; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are blended and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar.
- Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven to warm for 10 minutes.
- Spoon about ½ cup of the filling into the center of each tortilla. Fold in the sides, then roll to enclose the filling. Place the chimichangas, seam-side down, on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the tortillas with nonstick spray. Bake until golden and crisp, about 20 minutes. Do not turn.
Notes
- Top these chimichangas with your favorite salsa, sour cream and guacamole for extra calories (of course).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Doubled recipe and added a can of black beans. Air fried, then individually wrapped in paper towel and placed in freezer bag for quick lunch grab for work in the morning! So good!
Any idea the points if you fat free tortillas? I believe less than 2 with 97% fat free Turkey ?
I’m not sure– do you have the app (the points finder/recipe builder?)
Could you use lean ground beef instead?
yes!
So tasty!
1/29/2013. I just calculated the point value for the blue plan: 3