Chicken Chimichangas with Chipotle Salsa

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 8 cups for frying
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken breast, shredded while warm
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas, warmed
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
• Wooden toothpicks
• Chipotle Salsa, recipe follows
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions and saute until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the shredded chicken.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Stir in the green chiles.
7. Cook mixture for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
8. Set aside and cool slightly.
9. One at a time, place the tortillas on a work surface, keeping the remaining tortillas covered with a damp towel.
10. (For pliable tortillas, sprinkle lightly with 1/4 teaspoon water and cover with a damp paper towel.
11. Microwave for 10 to 20 seconds just before ready to stuff, and keep covered until ready to roll.)
12. Spread 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture in a rectangle in the center of the tortilla.
13. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cheese.
14. Fold the bottom of the tortilla over the filling and then fold the sides over.
15. Fold the top of the tortilla over the folded sides and secure the sides with wooden toothpicks.
16. Place folded side down.
17. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a deep stockpot or deep fryer to 360 degrees F. Using tongs, lower the chimichangas folded side down, 1 at a time into the hot oil.
18. (It is helpful to hold the chimichanga with the tongs until it has "sealed" together.)
19. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes.
20. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and continue with remaining chimichangas.
21. Remove toothpicks from the chimichangas and serve immediately with Chipotle Salsa, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
22. 3 1/2 cups chopped ripe tomatoes
23. 1/3 cup diced sweet onions
24. 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
25. 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
26. 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo
27. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
28. 1/2 teaspoon salt
29. Combine tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime juice, chopped peppers and cilantro in a medium bowl.
30. Season with salt.
31. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
32. Serve chilled or at room temperature with chicken chimichangas.
33. Yield: about 4 cups

vegetable oil, white onion, garlic, chili powder, ground oregano, ground cumin, chicken, salt, freshly ground black pepper, green chiles, flour tortillas, shredded monterey jack, toothpicks, salsa, sour cream, cilantro

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chicken-chimichangas-with-chipotle-salsa-recipe.html (may not work)