How Many Calories in a Chicken and Cheese Chimichanga?

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a single deep-fried, restaurant-style chicken and cheese chimichanga can contain anywhere from 500 to over 1,000 calories depending on its size, preparation, and toppings. This guide reveals exactly how many calories in a chicken and cheese chimichanga you can expect based on different cooking methods and serving styles.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a chicken and cheese chimichanga varies drastically, from several hundred in a baked version to over a thousand for a large, deep-fried restaurant portion. The final number is influenced by the cooking method, portion size, and high-calorie toppings like sour cream and guacamole.

Key Points

Calorie counts vary greatly: A frozen, baked chimichanga might have ~300 calories, while a large, deep-fried restaurant version can exceed 800-1000+ calories.
Deep-frying adds significant calories: Frying the chimichanga in oil is the main factor that drastically increases its fat and calorie content compared to a regular burrito.
Control toppings for lower calories: High-fat toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and queso can add hundreds of extra calories; opting for salsa and vegetables is a healthier alternative.
Baking is a healthier cooking method: Using an oven or air fryer provides a crispy texture with a fraction of the oil and fat, saving a substantial number of calories.
Homemade versions offer control: Cooking at home allows you to use leaner chicken, reduced-fat cheese, and control portion sizes, making it easier to manage calorie intake.
Portion size matters: A single restaurant-sized chimichanga is often larger than one might expect, contributing to a high overall calorie count before toppings are even added.

A chimichanga is a beloved Tex-Mex dish, essentially a deep-fried burrito, known for its crispy, golden exterior and savory filling. The combination of a large flour tortilla, seasoned chicken, and melted cheese, followed by a hot oil bath, makes it a delicious, albeit calorie-dense, meal. Understanding what contributes to its high calorie count is key for anyone watching their intake.

The Calorie Breakdown: Why the Numbers Vary

There is no single, universal calorie count for a chicken and cheese chimichanga. The figure can differ by hundreds of calories based on several factors, including the source (frozen, homemade, or restaurant), size, and preparation method.

The Deep-Fried Factor

The most significant contributor to the chimichanga's calorie density is the deep-frying process. Unlike a standard burrito, which is often simply grilled or steamed, a chimichanga is completely submerged in hot oil. This process adds a substantial amount of fat and, consequently, calories. For example, a large, deep-fried chicken chimichanga can contain upwards of 700 calories, while a smaller, baked version might be closer to 350.

Portion Size and Restaurant Variations

Restaurants often serve chimichangas that are much larger and more packed with filling than frozen or homemade versions. A typical restaurant serving might use a larger tortilla and a more generous amount of cheese and protein, pushing the total calorie count to 800 or even higher. In contrast, a small, frozen chimichanga might clock in at just over 300 calories.

The Toppings Trap

What you put on your chimichanga also dramatically increases the calorie count. Standard restaurant toppings include sour cream, cheese sauce (queso), and guacamole, which are all high in fat. A few dollops of sour cream and a generous serving of queso can easily add an extra 200–300 calories to your meal without much thought.

Fried vs. Baked: A Calorie Comparison

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table showing the nutritional contrast between a typical deep-fried and a healthier baked chimichanga.


Feature	Deep-Fried Chimichanga	Healthier Baked Chimichanga
Calories	500–1000+	300–500
Cooking Method	Deep-fried in oil	Baked or air-fried with minimal oil
Filling	Generous fillings, full-fat cheese	Lean protein, reduced-fat cheese, more vegetables
Tortilla	Standard large flour tortilla	Whole-wheat or smaller flour tortilla
Toppings	Full-fat sour cream, queso, guacamole	Salsa, plain Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro
Fat Content	High, especially saturated and trans fats	Significantly lower fat

How to Make a Healthier Chicken and Cheese Chimichanga

Making a healthier version at home is a simple process that gives you control over the ingredients and cooking method.

Choose Your Cooking Method

The most impactful change you can make is to bake your chimichanga instead of frying it. You can spray the rolled tortilla lightly with cooking spray and bake it in the oven at around 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown. An air fryer works just as well for a crispy finish with minimal oil.

Opt for Lighter Fillings and Toppings

Here are some simple ingredient swaps to cut down on calories without sacrificing flavor:

Use lean protein: Use cooked, shredded chicken breast instead of fattier cuts.
Add more vegetables: Increase the volume and nutrients with sautéed onions, bell peppers, or corn.
Reduce the cheese: Use a reduced-fat cheese blend or simply use less of the full-fat variety.
Swap high-fat toppings: Replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a similar tang and creaminess with more protein and fewer calories. Use a fresh tomato-based salsa or pico de gallo instead of creamy queso.

For a specific, proven recipe, consider this popular baked version: Allrecipes Baked Chicken Chimichangas.

What Goes into a Standard Chimichanga?

A classic chicken and cheese chimichanga filling often includes:

Tortilla: A large flour tortilla to wrap the ingredients.
Chicken: Seasoned, cooked, and shredded chicken.
Cheese: Typically a blend of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Spices: Cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder for flavor.
Optional additions: Sometimes includes beans, rice, or green chiles.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

The answer to how many calories are in a chicken and cheese chimichanga is complex, ranging widely based on preparation, portion, and toppings. While a restaurant-fried version can be a significant calorie splurge, opting for a baked, homemade version gives you the power to enjoy the delicious taste and texture with a much lower impact on your daily caloric intake. By making simple substitutions and controlling your portion sizes and toppings, you can make this Tex-Mex favorite a more balanced and guilt-free meal. Whether you indulge in a fried version or bake a healthier alternative, being aware of the nutritional details allows you to make an informed choice that aligns with your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical, deep-fried restaurant chimichanga can range from 500 to over 800 calories, and that number can easily climb higher with the addition of creamy toppings like cheese sauce and sour cream.

Yes, a baked chimichanga is significantly healthier. Baking or air-frying eliminates the large amount of added fat from the deep-frying process, resulting in a dish that is much lower in calories and saturated fat.

The primary reasons for a chimichanga's high calorie count are its deep-fried preparation, the generous amount of cheese and other high-calorie fillings, and the addition of fatty toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and queso.

Yes, you can. To reduce calories, use lean shredded chicken, a reduced-fat cheese blend, fill with extra vegetables like bell peppers and onions, and bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying.

Since a chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito, it almost always has a significantly higher calorie count than a standard burrito with the same fillings. The added calories come directly from the oil absorbed during the frying process.

For lower-calorie toppings, choose fresh salsa, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, or replace sour cream with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

Generally, small, single-serving frozen chimichangas often have lower calorie counts (around 300-500) than large restaurant-sized versions. However, they are still typically fried, so they are not as low-calorie as a homemade baked alternative.