Homemade Best Ever Chicken Enchiladas Recipe: Fiesta Favorite!

Crafting mouthwatering chicken enchiladas has been my culinary passion for years.

Authentic Mexican flavors dance through every bite of this incredible dish.

Spices and tender chicken combine in a magical way that surprises even seasoned home cooks.

Layers of melted cheese and rich sauce create a comfort food experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building complexity and depth.

Weekend meal planning just got seriously delicious with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

You won’t be able to resist making these enchiladas again and again.

What Makes Chicken Enchiladas Satisfying

• This chicken enchilada recipe delivers maximum taste with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Ready in under an hour, these enchiladas are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike, transforming ordinary weeknight meals into something exciting and memorable.
• Easily adaptable with optional ingredients like green chilies or sour cream, this recipe allows home cooks to personalize the dish to match their family's taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Using simple pantry staples and basic cooking techniques, this recipe proves you don't need complicated ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal that will impress everyone at the dinner table.

Ingredients Breakdown for Chicken Enchiladas

Main Ingredients:

• Tortillas: Soft, pliable base for wrapping the flavorful chicken filling, corn or flour work well, fresh tortillas recommended.

• Chicken: Shredded protein that forms the heart of the enchilada filling, rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken work best.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy melting ingredient that adds rich flavor and texture, sharp cheddar or Mexican blend preferred.

Sauce Ingredients:

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth base for creating roux, extra virgin offers subtle flavor.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create smooth sauce texture, all-purpose works perfectly.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Blend of spices that create deep, complex flavor profile, fresh ground spices recommended.

• Chicken Broth: Primary liquid that helps create sauce consistency, low-sodium preferred for better control of salt.
• Sugar: Balances sauce's acidity and enhances overall flavor, can use white or brown sugar.

Filling and Garnish Ingredients:

• Green Chilies: Adds mild heat and extra flavor to filling, canned or fresh options work.
• Sour Cream: Provides creamy texture and tangy note to chicken mixture, full-fat version recommended.

• Cilantro, Green Onions, Tomatoes: Fresh toppings that add color, brightness, and additional layers of flavor, use ripe, fresh produce.

How to Roll and Bake Enchiladas Cleanly

Step 1: Whip Up Magical Sauce

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Cook spices briefly. Slowly pour chicken broth and sugar. Simmer until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

• Shredded chicken
• Shredded cheese
• Diced green chilies
• Sour cream
• Splash of prepared sauce

Mix thoroughly until ingredients blend perfectly.

Step 3: Roll and Arrange Enchiladas

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread sauce in baking dish. Lay out tortillas. Spoon chicken mixture onto center of each tortilla. Roll tightly. Place seam-side down in dish.

Step 4: Top and Transform

Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas. Sprinkle additional cheese on top. Slide into oven.

Step 5: Serve With Flair

• Fresh cilantro
• Chopped green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Extra sour cream

Serve alongside rice or beans for a complete meal.

Pro Tips for a Flavorful Filling and Sauce

• Master Sauce Whisking: Whisk constantly when adding flour to prevent lumps and create a smooth, silky enchilada sauce base.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder quantity to dial up or tone down the heat according to your family's taste preferences.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let spices bloom briefly in hot oil to release deeper, more complex flavor profiles before adding liquid ingredients.
• Prevent Dry Enchiladas: Use enough sauce to coat tortillas generously, ensuring each bite remains moist and packed with delicious taste.
• Optimize Cheese Melting: Shred cheese fresh from the block for superior melting texture and more consistent coverage across the enchiladas.

Best Storage for Enchiladas Without Soggy Tortillas

• Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual enchiladas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover enchiladas with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place enchiladas on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each interval to maintain texture and prevent overcooking.

What to Serve Alongside This Mexican Favorite

• Complement the enchiladas' rich, spicy flavors with a crisp Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo Especial. The light, refreshing taste cuts through the heaviness of the dish.
• Mix a classic margarita using fresh lime juice, tequila, and triple sec. The citrusy, slightly sour notes balance the enchiladas' warmth and complexity.
• Create a bright, fresh side salsa with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. The vibrant, acidic elements will refresh the palate between bites.
• Whip up a smooth guacamole with ripe avocados, lime, salt, and chopped cilantro. Its cool, buttery texture provides a perfect counterpoint to the spicy enchiladas.

Enchilada Variations You Might Enjoy

Veggie Enchiladas: Swap chicken with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and black beans for a hearty vegetarian version packed with plant-based protein and vibrant flavors.

Gluten-Free Option: Use cornstarch instead of flour for the sauce and corn tortillas to make the entire dish gluten-free, perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.

Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace tortillas with large lettuce leaves or thin zucchini strips, creating a lighter, carb-conscious alternative that maintains the classic enchilada taste.

Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute cheese with nutritional yeast or cashew cheese, and use coconut milk-based sour cream to accommodate dairy-free dietary needs while preserving the creamy texture.

FAQs on Making the Best Enchiladas

• What type of tortillas work best for this enchilada recipe?

Corn tortillas are traditional and provide an authentic flavor, but flour tortillas can also be used. Corn tortillas tend to be more authentic and hold up better when rolled, while flour tortillas are softer and more flexible.

• Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

You can easily adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of chili powder and adding or reducing green chilies. For a milder version, use less chili powder and omit the green chilies. For more heat, add extra chili powder or include fresh jalapeños in the filling.

• Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the enchiladas up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time since they’ll be cold from the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, choose low-fat cheese, use lean chicken breast, and add more vegetables to the filling like spinach or bell peppers. You can also use whole wheat tortillas for added nutrition.

Best Ever Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering chicken enchiladas deliver a Mexican culinary adventure straight to your dinner table. Cheesy, spicy layers wrapped in warm tortillas promise a fiesta of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 cups (300 grams) cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 ½ cups (150 grams) shredded cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, or a mexican blend)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream (optional, for creamier filling)

Tortillas and Chilies:

• 8–10 flour or corn tortillas
• 1 can (4 ounces/113 grams) diced green chilies (optional)

Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sliced green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant, aromatic enchilada sauce by sautéing flour in heated olive oil, creating a golden roux that will serve as the flavor foundation. Intensify the base with a harmonious blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic, and onion powders, allowing the spices to release their full aromatic potential.
2. Gradually incorporate chicken broth and a touch of sugar into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and develop a smooth, rich consistency. Simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld, then season with salt and pepper to enhance the depth of taste.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken with a generous portion of cheese, creating a luxurious filling. Fold in green chilies and sour cream, then introduce a portion of the freshly prepared enchilada sauce to bind the ingredients into a cohesive, flavorful mixture.
4. Prepare the baking dish by spreading a thin layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom, creating a protective and flavorful base. Carefully distribute the chicken mixture onto tortillas, rolling them tightly and positioning them seam-side down in the prepared dish.
5. Lavishly coat the assembled enchiladas with the remaining sauce, ensuring each roll is thoroughly covered. Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, creating a tempting golden blanket.
6. Transfer the dish to a preheated oven and bake until the cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling crust and the edges become slightly crisp and golden.
7. Allow the enchiladas a brief moment to cool and settle. Embellish with fresh cilantro, green onions, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream to add brightness and contrast to the rich, warm flavors.
8. Serve immediately alongside complementary sides like fluffy rice, hearty beans, or a crisp, refreshing salad to complete this Mexican-inspired feast.

Notes

• Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder, making it mild or extra hot according to personal preference.
• Swap traditional flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free version or use whole wheat tortillas for added nutrition.
• Prep the enchilada sauce and chicken filling ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce day-of kitchen stress.
• Transform leftovers by chopping enchiladas and using them as a filling for quesadillas or topping for nachos, maximizing meal versatility.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg