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Chi Chi's Copycat Recipes

Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant

Chi Chi's copycat recipes are very difficult to locate. Chi Chi's was a very popular Mexican restaurant chain for almost thirty years. Due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A in a Chi Chi's located in Pennsylvania, Chi Chi's was forced to close its restaurants in 2004.

Many people miss Chi Chi's delicious Mexican recipes, from the fresh garden salsa to the seafood enchiladas to the Mexican fried ice cream at Chi Chi's. But don't despair. If you miss these secret Chi Chi's recipes, we have copycat recipe versions of them here along with Chi Chi's sweet corn cakes, Chi Chi's salsa, chimichangas, and more.

Abandoned Chi Chi's Restaurant

chi-chis-copycat-recipes

Chi Chi's Appetizer Copycat Recipes

Other Restaurant Recipe Copycats

Chicken Nachos Grande Recipe Just Like Chi Chi's

Thanks to a request by Tommy B,. I dug out this copycat recipe from my own collection. Here is the recipe clone for Chi Chi's Chicken Nachos Grande:

Chicken Nachos Grande Ingredients:

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1/4 cup water

2-3 tablespoons lime juice, your preference

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 teaspoons white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, but recommended)

Pressed garlic clove (Can just finely mince the garlic if you don't own a garlic press)

optional salt and pepper, to taste

8-10 corn tortilla chips

1 cup salsa

2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese

1/4 cup chopped green onion (or yellow onion, if you prefer)

1 or 2 red or green jalapeno peppers, your preference, seeded and sliced into 8-10 pieces

Scroll to Continue

Optional:

Any or all of the following for toppings- extra salsa, cheese, diced jalapenos, onions, sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce

Mix the water, lime juice, oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and optional liquid smoke. Pour into a resealable plastic bag or a glass bowl. Add the chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 3 hours.

After marinating, grill the chicken on either an outdoor or indoor grill. If using a charcoal grill, there is no need for the liquid smoke. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink. Cut up the chicken into bite sized pieces, or shred.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread about 1 or 2 tablespoons of salsa on each tortilla chip. Top each tortilla chip with the shredded chicken, then cheese, onions, and a slice of jalapeno.

Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Top with optional sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, and/or guacamole.

Kitchen Appliances for Mexican Cooking

Miscellaneous Chi Chi's Copycat Recipes

Other Mexican Restaurant and Mexican Recipes You May Like

Chi Chi's Main Dish Copy Cat Recipes

Copycat Restaurant Recipes by Category

Chi Chi's Fresh Garden Salsa Recipe Clone

Ingredients for Chi Chi's Salsa

  • 2 pounds fresh roma tomatoes
  • 1 bunch of fresh cilantro
  • 1 bunch green onions
  • 1 onion
  • 2 limes or 1/4 cup of lime juice
  • 2 serrano peppers (If you substitute jalapenos, add about 5 drops of Tabasco sauce)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon each: salt, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon each: sugar and fresh ground black pepper

Chop up the tomatoes, both onions, and cilantro. Put almost half of the tomatoes into a blender with the lime juice, peppers, garlic, and rest of the spices. Blend until thick, but not watery. Add this mixture to the rest of the ingredients in a serving bowl. Put in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.

Chi Chi's Copycat Dessert Recipes

Chi Chi's Copycat Comments

Lavon Howard on September 28, 2020:

Loved going to Chi Chis..

Miss the Taco Salad/with dressing and espically, the

Frozen Marg....frothy and awesome.

Anyone have a reciepe fir these?

LadyCougar47 on October 29, 2018:

My husband used to work for chi chi's and they had a burro that was awesome --we had that recipe at one time but lost it----Anyone who might have it ---Could u plz send to me --LadyCougar47@hotmail.com...

Scott Sarles on August 26, 2018:

I dont think i ever ordered anything on the menu after having the "Tex Mex Steak El Paso" and that was a 5 year span & at least 3 visits per month. Would love to know what barbecue sauce they put on the steak...

Stacy on March 27, 2018:

I so miss the el grande chicken burrito. It was HUGE! I wish someone has THAT recipe. I'd die for one right now. I think enough time has passed and they should open up again.

Bob on January 10, 2018:

Folks I managed therefor 14 years. Those recipes were bought by Hormel and never seen again. So sad, we did have some incredible food. One case of green onions to a restaurant in Pennsylvania can bring down a entire company.

Judy on June 26, 2016:

I still crave chi-Chi's shredded beef chimichangas especially the sauce that go's over them. Please HELP.

Sue on June 25, 2016:

Can't tell you how many times I've heard or said "I miss ChiChi's" over the years since they closed. Does anyone have the recipe for their beef enchilada-style soft taco?

Anita Dukes on June 06, 2016:

I really enjoyed reading through this site. I only got part of the way through and had to leave. But I'm wondering if anyone has the recipe for their chile relleno? It was one of the 2 things I had on my first visit. I would love to know how to make it.

Danetterod@yahoo.com on November 03, 2015:

Just wondering if anyone had the recipe for the gravy sauce they put on their ground beef chimichanga, woyld live to have it

mds1d2 on February 24, 2014:

Pollo Magnifico Chi Chi chicken recipe. I haven't tried this one but I finally found one that might just be the same!

http://www.food.com/recipe/pollo-magnifico-49980

machelle on April 28, 2013:

chi chi's had theeeeee best shredded beef enchiladas i ever ever eaten. Wilkes-Barre ,Pa. the margaritas were to die for. I would love the recipe!!! anyone???

harvshoney on January 04, 2013:

Hi All! I too craved the Chi-Chi's El Grande Burro! So, I tried several times, and here's a close one that will at least get ya through the cravings!

Assemble this on an oven safe plate:

Large soft flour tortilla (microwave a few seconds to soften for rolling)

Stuff With:

Ground Beef cooked with ChiChis Seasoning Pack (Or use diced onions, green chilis, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste)

Shredded Lettuce

A tablespoon or so of fresh Pico (mix chopped tomato, onion, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt)

Shredded Cheddar & Monterrey Jack Cheese

SAUCE: Mix equal parts brown/beef gravy (prepared) with tomato soup or sauce.Whisk together well and add garlic powder and cumin to taste. THEN mix an equal part of this sauce with taco sauce (I used Ortega Red Medium). Sauce will be slightly thick like gravy. Pour or brush over burrito generously.

Sprinkle with more shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese.

Bake (I used my toaster oven) 350* for about 20 minutes. ENJOY!

Cindy on December 17, 2012:

Do you have their bean dip recipe?? I would love to make it!!

wantmychichi on December 03, 2012:

like so many above i MISS my chichi's. i could go crazy just for the smell

of their chicken taco salad in one of their bowls with the house dressing

i think i might try sour cream, taco seasoning with a touch of thousand island dsg in it. if this comes anywhere near it.... i rotisserie the chicken and then cook it in a slow cooker or in a skillet over very low with a taco seasoning mix old el passo and that gets sour cream added and that is the closest i've come to the chicken. i haven't found ANY salad bowl that beats theirs

Joaquin on September 03, 2012:

A link to the Chi Chi's menu, brings back very fond memories:

http://where-to-dine.com/M/M716.asp

keeney on July 19, 2012:

It has been interesting reading this site. In the early 80's my husband and I frequented the Chi-chi's in Tulsa Okla. and dined there almost weekly. When we moved to Seattle in 1985 there was a Chi-chi's here with the same menu from Tulsa, but the quality of the food was horrid, and the whole family was sick afterward. What a terrible let-down. The first time I ever had Chili Rellenos was at Chi-Chi's and I fell in love with them. I have never found any others mad the same. I have craved them since the 80's. Does any one know how they were made. I especially would love the brown sauce that was used on top. It contained cumin in it, but was not a chili verde base. Please please some one send it in.

Shelly on July 09, 2012:

LaDonna, that is the recipe I am looking for! Man, I miss ChiChi.

I loved the Chi Chi's Pollo Magnifico and would love to have the recipe. on June 05, 2012:

LaDonna

I loved the Pollo Magnifico and would love the recipe.

Aaron on May 27, 2012:

I want the recipie for the mexican piZza

Carol on May 23, 2012:

I used to work at Chi Chi's in the early 1980's . I worked in Farmington , New Mexico. We made our own chips. They fried up tortilla and made giant bins each day. The taco salad was my favorite. I also miss the diablo sauce.....

candy on May 13, 2012:

Does anyone know where i can purchase the nacho chips they served with the salsa before your meal, or did chi chi's make their own? I used to go to the restaurant and buy bags of their nachos and salsa!

Vicki on April 18, 2012:

Me and my sister would go to Chi Chi's every time we were in Green Bay, it was a special treat for us. We would get the same thing every single time because it was just so awesome. Can you email me the recipe for the Twice Grilled BBQ Burritos with steak? I would so appreciate it, I did not see it listed on your site, but I am so hoping you have it. Here is my email vltourtillott@yahoo.com

Renee on April 04, 2012:

For Chicken Enchiladas Supremas try: Cream of mushroom soup with sour cream and a little milk (until you get the right consistancy), cooked shredded chicken, canned green chilis, montery cheese and wrap them in flour tortillas, pour the rest of the cream of mushroom soup mixture on top with more montery jack cheese and bake them in the oven. Garnish with more green and red canned chilis. It comes close if you've got a mad craving for them.

Sheryl on February 21, 2012:

I was a hostess at Chi-Chi's in Houston from 1982-1984. I miss it terribly! Loved the food, especially the Mexican Pizza and their taco salad smothered in CCQ. But to this day I can barely look at an Andes Mint...I think we hostesses ate more than we handed out!

Ron Sexton on February 21, 2012:

does anyone know their recipe for el grande burritto?

doughmixer on February 21, 2012:

I am looking for the recipe for Chi Chi's Grand Burro recipe with brown sauce.

Jeri on February 20, 2012:

Is the texas chicken nachos the same was chicken nachos? We miss Chi Chi's :(

Diane H. on February 12, 2012:

Alex 4 weeks ago--- Yes, I agree THE TAMPICO entrée was my favorite too. Did anyone that worked there, in which, I worked there know how the recipe for cheese and onion enchiladas, THE TAMPICO entrée? Diane H.

lavachickie @ gmail . com on February 04, 2012:

Whoops -- Chicken Enchilada Suprema! My bad. :) lavachickie at gmail dot com.

lavachickie @ gmail . com on February 04, 2012:

I would be EVER thankful to anyone who can set me on the right track to the Chicken a la Creama Enchiladas they used to serve. I've craved those damn things ever since they closed. Arg!

Any suggestions welcome. Just email me. lavachickie at gmail dot com.

coolhandluke on February 03, 2012:

I worked at The Chi in Pa for 3 years, great time and great food. Friends still have hard copies of lots of recipes, but the seasoming packets are what is really needed, and you cant get em. Is the fiesta seasoning really like the beef was at ChiChis? By the way, im pretty sure it had diced onion in it also.

snickerdoodles on January 26, 2012:

Here is a link to a recipe for beef Chimichangas with a green sauce that I think is pretty close to the original. http://www.food.com/recipe/chi-chis-beef-chimichan...

Rodney and Rosemary on January 16, 2012:

Steak El Paso!!!!!! Man we miss ChiChi's

Alex on January 12, 2012:

Anyone know how to make the cheese and onion enchilada Tampico?

vespista on January 02, 2012:

I worked at a Chi-Chi's in OH from 1990 to 1997 when the place closed. I also met my spouse there lol. We had great food, but the company was not well-run, and everything started to fall apart in the mid to late 90's. Also, when Chi-Chi's was popular, there weren't so many authentic Mexican restaurants everywhere, operating with much lower costs. These were the main 2 reasons Chi-Chi's went under, in my opinion. It was definitely NOT food quality, because it was always good. The only thing left around here like Chi-Chi's (Americanized Mexican concept) is Don Pablo's, which was never quite as good, and is also struggling as a company.

Anyway, my favorites were the Texas Nachos, (a huge pile of nachos smothered with their awesome San Antonio Chili, CCQ, and pico, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and jalps), the Twice-Grilled BBQ Burrito, (already been described... what I wouldn't do for one of those!), and the fresh garden salsa, (cannot seem to replicate this no matter how hard we try). The Fajita meat... actually "Chajitas," for all those who remember ;)... was definitely marinated in margarita mix. And those puff pastries were called "sopaipillas," correctly spelled. I hated making those things - I always burnt them lol.

I'm going to try making some of these copycats and see if they turn out. I'll know right away - I ate there 5 or 6 times a week for 7 years of my life!

dan on December 21, 2011:

I could not explain how...sad...I was to lose chi-chis ..I was in love with their BEEF (not chicken) chimichonga ...and have had 0 luck in getting a real way of cooking it...the ones I have found don't come close..does anyone know the offical way by chance????? if so you really made my year, literally.

Jennifer on October 26, 2011:

Used to eat at ChiChi's when I lived in Farmington, New Mexico. Can still taste those alaskan king crab enchilada! Can't wait to try the recipe- it sounds really similar but i don't remember there being any shrimp in it. We'll see how it turns out!

Jeff in Iowa on October 20, 2011:

Don't know if anyone's answered this yet, but the House Dressing was a Calypso Dressing. Actual recipe? No idea as it came in the gallon jars and was not made in house.

jeff1968 on October 03, 2011:

Tommy I know this is 4 years to late but what you describe is chicken nachos. It was 3 corn tortillas fried flat with their special shredded chicken evenly spread over them shredded cheese evenly spread over the chicken and 4 slices of jalepenos on each flat shell tossed in a salamander oven til melted then cut each into 4ths so each piece had 1 jalepeno slice, served with sour cream and or guacamole.

We had big square plates and put 1 in the center and fanned the rest around the one.

jeff1968 on October 03, 2011:

I worked from 1987-1990 as a hot prep, then linecook, then MOD. The CCQ recipe seems pretty accurate, however, for some reason I think we poured in half/half then wrapped and steamed it.

Some of my favorites were, mazatlan, tampico, chx or beef soft tacos, fajitas, bf or chicken enchilladas, the flat(if you know what I mean) chx nachos. The Spanish Rice was awesome, I hated it when I forgot to stir the rice in the oven and burned a whole batch. Good times good people I met my wife there almost 24 years ago

Robyn on September 25, 2011:

Back in the day, My 2 brothers, boyfriend, and his brother all worked a Chi Chi's at the same time. I got to eat the food constantly and my favorites were the Beef Chimichanga, Queso and their Fried Ice Cream...Oh how I miss the food, but not the smell of all the guys work clothes :)

Tari on August 23, 2011:

would love to taste the flavor of the enchalada style soft beef taco main dish. Anyone out there remember that

realllly goood entrée.

Pia on August 22, 2011:

Worked at Chi-Chi's in Gaithersburg ,MD in the early '90. Loved going to work we had a great time:-). The food was goooood, miss it.

Paul and Betty on May 02, 2011:

We also LOVED Chi Chi's. Our favorite was called Super Tostada. It was a salad in a big tortilla shell. We especially loved the dressing. We don't think it was the "Calypso" or the "House". It was practically opaque but a little greenish. It was sweetish. Anyone remember this? Or have any idea how we can duplicate it? We too would be soooo happy to hear they have reopened.

melissa on March 30, 2011:

i miss chi chi's too!!!!! this was a funny story about the "meaning" of chi chi. I lived in AZ and just got a puppy and I named her "chi chi. well I was working at the bank and our lobby was full of Mexicans and the teller next to me ask what I was gonna do that evening, so I yelled out "GOING HOME TO PLAY WITH MY CHI CHI OMG everyone in the lobby stared at me the branch manager comes running over and told me what chi chi meant. ;0

Christi on March 02, 2011:

I LOVED their house dressing. I tried mixing sour cream with taco seasoning and it isn't coming close in taste... anyone know what the house dressing was made of?

Meechele on February 20, 2011:

I worked at Chi Chis in Buffalo, NY and Egg Harbor, NJ. Also, trained to be a manager at the Oxford Valley, PA location. I HAD all the training guides and I'm pretty sure recipes were in them, but when I quit to start a new job, I threw them all out! Who would have guessed that I'd be kicking myself over 10 years later. I, too, have craved the food and I'm pretty sure I could recreate the food, if I could just get the recipes for the basic sauces. The brownish/green "Special sauce" is the one I really want.

For the Twice Grilled BBQ Burritos, we used the marinated chicken or steak that we used for fajitas. Just roll that up in a burrito size tortilla, along with some grilled peppers and onions and put it on the grill. While it's on the grill, brush the outside with BBQ sauce and flip. Finally, brush the burrito with one last layer of BBQ sauce before serving. You can add cheese inside too, if you want to, but I don't think it was made with cheese originally. ;) (BTW, the chicken was marinated in the sour mix that we used for making the margaritas. I think the beef was too, but not positive.)

And I was under the impression that the Calypso dressing was just ranch dressing with taco seasoning in it?? At least, that's what I always told the customers when I waited tables.

Bizz from Sin City on February 03, 2011:

This is great, I've been craving the Cancun seafood enchiladas, but since they went out of business in my area...

Great hub!

J.J.Q on January 31, 2011:

i was a manager for chi chis in germany i have all of the original Recipes

contact me under quigley.cctw@googlemail.com

carrie on January 10, 2011:

anyone able to open the link to the chicken fajitas? I am unable to open it.. can someone please send me the recipe ?? CBest@wowway.com

Thanks !

marj57 on January 06, 2011:

My favorite dish was the soft taco enchilada style... either ground beef or chicken.

Does anyone have that recipe??? I tried but can't figure out the enchilada sauce. I really wish they didn't close, my family LOVES Chi Chi's!!!!

Diane H. on December 27, 2010:

ANGELA HARRIS------- Can you recreate chi chi's FABULOUS CALYPSO HOUSE SALAD DRESSING for taco salad and their famous MEXICAN PIZZA? Please respond if you will be recreating these recipes. Thanks Diane.

Rujth on December 19, 2010:

SO glad to hear others loved Chi Chi's as much as I did. I loved their Taco salad with that DELICIOUS taco dressing. Does anyone know the recipe for it OR what it consists of? Someone mentioned sour cream and mild taco seasoning, but it what proportions? Could someone post to this? Thanks!

Diane H. on November 20, 2010:

BRENDA, 11 months ago---- I'm waiting for you to post of how much of what you used to make the FABULOUS CALYPSO DRESSING. I LOVED the Mexican pizza does anyone remember how to make it when they worked at Chi Chi's? Please contact me at dianeh0113@gmail.com

krd on November 11, 2010:

I worked at Chi's Chi's for in the early 90's and never got sick of their food. If anyone know the recipe for the sauce they used to put on top of the Beef Chimichangas, I would love to have it. This sauce PREDATES the green chile sauce that others have mentioned on here. The menu just called it "special" sauce and that's literally what we called it in house. It was a beef based light brown sauce, again, not green.

Also, like many people on here I would love to have the Pollo Magnifico marinade receipe. When I was there I used to ask but the chicken came pre-marinated from a prep center, so no one in the kitchen knew what the marinade was. I heard from one waitress that the chicken was marinaded in their Margarita mix but have never tried it.

Sue on November 07, 2010:

I LLLOOOVVVVEEED Chi Chi's!! We miss it soo much :( I wish they would open back up also. We have so many memories from there. It started with my Mom and I. Then my daughters. We celebrated every B-Day there. My girlfriend and I still continued to eat there after the "Big Scare". Please open back up. I know sooo many people who would be thrilled!!! Great site by the way.

linda on November 03, 2010:

loved chi chi's beef or chicken soft taco's can not get them anywhere else....any recipe out there for these great dishes...send to rolinshoe@gmail.com thanks

Jason on October 31, 2010:

Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Happy birthday to you to you to you OLAY!

greenchili on October 18, 2010:

Anyone have the receipe for the green chili con carne burrito wit cubed beef and cheese on the origional menu?

RobSpurlock on September 12, 2010:

I'VE GOT IT! BY JOVE I THINK I'VE GOT IT!!!!!! I think I've got the El Grande Beef Burrito (Burro) either season nthe Beef with Chi-Chi's Beef seasoning or just mix in the salsa.... but the red sause on top.... that was the problem... until i brushed some salso on the top, sprinkled the cheese on it AND PUT IT IN THE OVEN AND BAKED IT FOR A FEW MINUTES!!!! and when it came out... THAT HAS TO BE IT!!!!! it was red. a little crusty in all the right places. It was delicious. Chi-Chi's was right, It's All about the SALSA!!!!!

MIke on August 17, 2010:

I worked at Chi-Chi's in the mid eighties and loved the food there! The Chimachngas were good, but my absoulte foavrite meal in the world is/was their Polo Magnifico! If anyone has the recipe for that I would be so happy! Please forward to mk7609@aol.com I can actaully taste the chicken in my mouth right now. Oh Chi-Chi's where have you gone!!!

Tami H. on August 07, 2010:

Great page, I'm so glad I stumbled upon it today. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us in the world. Greatly appreciated by myself and many others I'm sure. I can't wait to explore more of your links.

Again, thanks so much for sharing.

julie on July 24, 2010:

does anyone have their recipe for a seafood chimichanga??? it was wonderful!!!!

dennis on July 15, 2010:

i use to work for chi chi's and even as an employee i loved there food. i think chi chi's was a great place to work for. i have 2 friends that worked there, one friend worked in cherry hill till it went out of business and then transferred to the deptford, nj location and also worked there until they went out of business. kinda funny. we all have so many good memories of working there. i now see my old boss from chi chi's were i work now. i sell his mom shoes. lol