Methods and compositions are provided for targeting a polypeptide of interest to a chloroplast. Recombinant polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric chloroplast transit peptide (CTP) operably linked to a heterologous polynucleotide of interest are provided. In specific embodiments, the chimeric CTP comprises an N-terminal domain operably linked to a central domain operably linked to a C-terminal domain of a CTP to form a chimeric chloroplast transit peptide having CTP activity. Recombinant polypeptides encoding the same, as well as, cells, plant cells, plants and seeds are further provided which comprise the recombinant polynucleotides. Methods of use of the various sequences are also provided.