Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Chicken enchiladas are a simple baked dinner made with tortillas filled with seasoned chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce. The rolled tortillas are placed in a baking dish, covered with more sauce and cheese, and baked until everything is hot and the cheese has melted. It is an easy recipe to adjust with ingredients you already have in the kitchen.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken

  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas

  • 2 cups enchilada sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese

  • 1/2 small onion, finely diced

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Fresh cilantro, optional

  • Sour cream, optional

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas

Start by preparing the chicken filling. If you are using leftover cooked chicken, shred it into small pieces. Add the chicken to a bowl and mix it with the diced onion, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and spread a small amount of enchilada sauce over the bottom.

Warm the tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave so they become soft enough to roll without breaking. Place a few spoonfuls of the chicken mixture in the center of one tortilla. Add a little shredded cheese, then roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas and chicken mixture, arranging the enchiladas next to each other.

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top, making sure the tortillas are mostly covered. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the enchiladas.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted. If you want the cheese slightly more browned, you can leave the dish under the broiler for a short time while watching it carefully.

Remove the enchiladas from the oven and let them sit for a few minutes before serving. Add chopped cilantro, sour cream, or other toppings if desired.

Tips for Making Chicken Enchiladas

Warming the tortillas before rolling makes them easier to work with and helps prevent cracking. Do not overfill them, as too much filling can make the tortillas difficult to roll.

You can use either flour or corn tortillas depending on your preference. If using corn tortillas, warming them well before assembling can make them easier to handle.

For the chicken, leftover roasted or baked chicken works well. You can also cook chicken breasts specifically for this recipe and shred them once they are fully cooked.

What to Serve With Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas can be served with rice, beans, a simple salad, or roasted vegetables. Sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced tomatoes can also be added on top.

Storing Leftovers

Let the enchiladas cool before covering the baking dish or transferring leftovers to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator and reheat until hot throughout. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave, while the oven can help warm several portions at once.

This Chicken Enchilada Recipe is easy to prepare and flexible enough to adjust with different cheeses, tortillas, and toppings. It makes a convenient homemade dinner with a warm, saucy filling and melted cheese on top.