Sep 05 2026
RestaurantsPitaya Mexican RestaurantBurrito Especial Recipe

Burrito Especial Recipe

Time1h
Serves2

Two with chile burritos, carne one and beef, one chicken, topped with guacamole and rice.

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Ingredients

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Carne (beef) filling

Method

Carne (beef) filling

  1. 1

    Cook aromatics

    Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

  2. 2

    Brown beef

    Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a spatula and cook 5–7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.

  3. 3

    Season and simmer

    Stir in 1.5 tbs chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Add 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup beef broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt/chili powder as needed. Keep warm.

Pollo (chicken) filling

  1. 4

    Cook aromatics

    Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup chopped onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Add 1 tsp minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.

  2. 5

    Cook chicken

    Add 1 lb diced chicken to the skillet. Cook 6–8 minutes until outside is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

  3. 6

    Season and finish

    Stir in 1 tbs chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground oregano, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tbs lime juice and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Reduce heat and simmer 3–4 minutes until sauce clings to the chicken. Keep warm.

Chile sauce (for topping and inside)

  1. 7

    Rehydrate chiles

    Remove stems and seeds from 2 dried ancho or guajillo chiles. Place in a bowl and pour 1 cup very hot water over them. Let soak 15 minutes until softened. Reserve soaking liquid.

  2. 8

    Blend sauce

    Drain chiles (reserve 1/4 cup soaking liquid). In a blender combine softened chiles, 1 cup chopped tomato, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup quartered onion, 1 tsp oil, 1/4–1/2 tsp salt and 1/4–1/2 cup water (or reserved soaking liquid). Blend until smooth.

  3. 9

    Cook and adjust

    Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the blended chile puree and simmer 6–8 minutes, stirring, until slightly reduced and aromatic. Taste and add salt if needed. If too thick, thin with a tablespoon or two of water. Set aside warm.

Rice

  1. 10

    Toast rice

    In a small saucepan heat 1 tbs olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 cup rinsed long-grain rice and toast, stirring, 2–3 minutes until opaque and lightly golden.

  2. 11

    Simmer rice

    Add 2 cups chicken broth (or water) and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest covered 5 minutes.

  3. 12

    Fluff and finish

    Fluff rice with a fork. Stir in 1/2 tsp lime zest and 2 tbs chopped cilantro, if using. Keep warm.

Guacamole topping

  1. 13

    Make guacamole

    Cut 2 avocados in half, remove pits and scoop flesh into a bowl. Add 1 tbs lime juice and mash to desired texture. Fold in 2 tbs finely chopped red onion, 2 tbs chopped tomato, 1 tbs chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp minced jalapeño if using. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice. Cover with plastic wrap (directly on surface) until assembly.

Assembly & finishing

  1. 14

    Warm tortillas

    Warm 4 large flour tortillas one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat 20–30 seconds per side or brush lightly with oil/butter and warm until pliable. Keep wrapped in a clean towel.

  2. 15

    Assemble burritos

    Lay a warmed tortilla flat. Spoon about 1/2 cup rice slightly off-center, then top half the filling: for two burritos use approx. 1/2 of the carne mixture for one burrito and 1/2 of the pollo mixture for the other (about 3/4 cup filling each). Drizzle 1–2 tbs chile sauce over the filling, add 1/4 cup shredded cheese, and 2–3 tbs guacamole. Add a dollop (about 1 tbs) sour cream if desired.

  3. 16

    Fold burrito

    Fold the sides of the tortilla in, then roll from the edge nearest the filling to form a tight burrito. Place seam-side down on the skillet and sear 1 minute per side to seal and lightly crisp (optional).

  4. 17

    Serve

    Serve two burritos (one carne, one pollo) topped with an extra spoonful of chile sauce and additional guacamole and rice on the side. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

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