Chimichanga facts for kids
Chimichangas
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| Alternative names | Chivichanga |
|---|---|
| Type | Burrito |
| Place of origin |
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| Main ingredients | Tortillas, rice, cheese, beans, machaca, jalapeño, carne adobada or shredded chicken |
A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito. It is a popular dish in Tex-Mex and other Southwestern U.S. cuisine.
This dish is usually made by filling a flour tortilla with different ingredients. These often include rice, cheese, beans, and a type of meat. Common meats are machaca (dried meat), carne adobada (marinated meat), or shredded chicken. The tortilla is then folded into a rectangle. After folding, it is deep-fried until it is crispy. Chimichangas can be served with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Where Did Chimichangas Come From?
The exact beginning of the chimichanga is not fully known. Some stories say it started in Mexico. Other stories suggest it was created by accident in Arizona, United States. The name "chivichanga" is used in Mexico. This makes some people think that immigrants brought the dish from Mexico to Arizona.
The words chimi and changa come from Spanish terms. Chimi might come from chamuscado, which means "seared" or "singed."
One popular story is about Monica Flin. She started the El Charro restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. In 1922, she accidentally dropped a burrito into a deep-fat fryer. She almost said a bad word in Spanish! But she quickly changed it to chimichanga. This word is like saying "thingamajig" in English.
Over time, more and more people learned about and liked the chimichanga. It became very popular in recent years. Even though it is now part of Tex-Mex food, its roots in the U.S. are mainly in Tucson, Arizona.
Another person, Woody Johnson, also said he invented the chimichanga. He founded Macayo's Mexican Kitchen. In 1946, he tried frying some burritos as an experiment. This happened at his first restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. These "fried burritos" became so popular. By 1952, when his restaurant became Macayo's, the chimichanga was a main item on the menu.
There are no official records to show exactly when the dish first appeared. However, a retired expert from the University of Arizona remembers seeing chimichangas. He saw them in Tucson in the mid-1950s.
How Nutritious Are Chimichangas?
The United States Department of Agriculture has information on the nutrition of a chimichanga. A typical serving of a beef and cheese chimichanga weighs about 183 grams (6.5 ounces). This serving has about 443 calories. It also contains 20 grams of protein and 39 grams of carbohydrates. There are 23 grams of total fat, with 11 grams being saturated fat. It has 51 milligrams of cholesterol and 957 milligrams of sodium.
See also
In Spanish: Chimichanga para niños
