Chicken Enchiladas are a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Tender chicken is wrapped in soft corn tortillas, smothered in a rich, tangy enchilada sauce, and topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. Serve with a side of sour cream and fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.
What Are Chicken Enchiladas?
Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish made by filling soft tortillas with a variety of ingredients like meat, cheese, beans, or vegetables, then smothering them in a rich, flavorful sauce and baking them until bubbly and golden. The chicken version is particularly popular, offering a tender, juicy filling that pairs perfectly with the tangy sauce and melted cheese.
In this recipe, the chicken is seasoned with aromatic spices, combined with a homemade enchilada sauce, and rolled up in flour or corn tortillas. Topped with cheese and baked until golden, each bite is a perfect mix of savory, spicy, and cheesy goodness.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Enchiladas
To ensure your chicken enchiladas turn out perfect every time, follow these handy tips and tricks:
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick and easy recipe, use store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds extra flavor.
- Grill Your Chicken: If you prefer freshly cooked chicken, grill or pan-sear it before shredding. This adds a smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Make Your Sauce Ahead of Time: Homemade enchilada sauce is much tastier than store-bought versions. You can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for a week or freeze it for later.
- Soften Tortillas: Lightly warm your tortillas in a skillet or microwave before filling them. This makes them more pliable and prevents them from cracking when rolled.
- Cheese Choices: For the best flavor, use a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. The sharp cheddar provides tanginess, while the Monterey Jack offers a smooth, melty texture.
- Don’t Overfill the Tortillas: While it’s tempting to pack the tortillas with filling, don’t overdo it. Too much filling will make it difficult to roll them, and the enchiladas may break apart during baking.
- Top with Fresh Toppings: After baking, top your enchiladas with freshly chopped cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten the dish.
Variations of Chicken Enchiladas
While this recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences. Here are some popular variations:
- Vegetarian Chicken Enchiladas: Swap out the chicken for beans and roasted vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and sweet potatoes for a delicious vegetarian version.
- Spicy Chicken Enchiladas: If you love heat, add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder to your sauce. You can also use spicy salsa or enchilada sauce to bring the spice factor up.
- White Chicken Enchiladas: For a twist, use a creamy white sauce instead of the traditional red enchilada sauce. This version often features a creamy blend of sour cream, green chilies, and chicken broth.
- Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas: For a unique flavor profile, swap the traditional chicken filling with spicy buffalo chicken. Toss the shredded chicken in buffalo sauce and bake with a blue cheese or ranch drizzle.
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole: If you don’t want to roll tortillas, you can make a casserole version by layering tortillas, chicken, sauce, and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.
How to Serve Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken enchiladas are best served fresh out of the oven, hot and bubbling with melted cheese. However, you can add a variety of sides to complete the meal:
- Mexican Rice: A classic side dish that pairs perfectly with enchiladas. The fluffy rice balances the richness of the chicken and sauce.
- Refried Beans: Creamy and savory refried beans are another essential side dish that complements the flavors of the enchiladas.
- Guacamole: For a fresh and creamy contrast, serve your enchiladas with guacamole. The cool, creamy texture is the perfect foil to the warm, spicy chicken.
- Salsa: Whether homemade or store-bought, a tangy salsa will add a burst of freshness to each bite.
- Mexican Street Corn: Grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, lime, chili powder, and cheese offers a fantastic side dish to complete the meal.
How to Store Chicken Enchiladas
If you have leftovers or want to make the dish ahead of time, storing chicken enchiladas is easy:
- Refrigerating: Allow the enchiladas to cool to room temperature. Then, cover them with plastic wrap or foil and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze enchiladas before or after baking. If freezing before baking, wrap the enchiladas tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply add an extra 10-15 minutes of baking time. If freezing after baking, allow them to cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven until hot and bubbly.
- Reheating: To reheat enchiladas, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Yes! While flour tortillas are often preferred for their soft, chewy texture, corn tortillas work great too, offering a slightly firmer texture and a more authentic flavor. Just be sure to warm them up before rolling to prevent cracking.
2. How do I make enchilada sauce from scratch?
Making your own enchilada sauce is simple! To make a basic red enchilada sauce, you’ll need tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chicken broth. Sauté the spices in olive oil, then stir in the tomato paste and broth. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
3. Can I make chicken enchiladas ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the enchiladas and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes of baking time to ensure they’re heated all the way through.
4. How do I make my chicken enchiladas less spicy?
If you prefer a milder version, simply reduce or omit the chili powder, and use a mild enchilada sauce. You can also use a combination of mild salsa and green chilies for added flavor without the heat.
5. Can I use ground chicken for this recipe?
Yes! Ground chicken is a great substitute for shredded chicken, offering a different texture while still providing that delicious chicken flavor. Be sure to cook the ground chicken thoroughly before mixing it with the enchilada sauce.
Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Enchiladas are a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for any occasion. Tender chicken is wrapped in soft corn tortillas, smothered in a rich, tangy enchilada sauce, and topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. Serve with a side of sour cream and fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (divided)
- 8 corn or flour tortillas (see note)
- 2 ½ cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese (divided)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken with ¼ cup enchilada sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and adjust to taste.
- Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway. Place on a plate and microwave for 1 minute, flipping halfway.
- Spoon the chicken mixture into each tortilla, add 1 cup of shredded cheese, then roll tightly and place seam side down in a large baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve immediately, topped with your favorite garnishes like sour cream, cilantro, or shredded lettuce. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 645Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 107mgSodium 1542mgCarbohydrates 65gFiber 8gSugar 20gProtein 40g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Outcome
Chicken enchiladas are one of those timeless dishes that can be easily customized to suit your tastes, making them perfect for any meal. With this ultimate recipe, you’ll be able to create a flavorful, satisfying dish that will delight your family and friends. Don’t forget to play around with variations and toppings to make it your own!
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