Delicious Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Introduction

Delicious Chicken Enchiladas are a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week. With tender shredded chicken, melty cheese, and a zesty enchilada sauce, these enchiladas bring a taste of Mexico right to your table.

Two enchiladas lie side by side on a white plate on a white marbled surface, each covered in thick, melted cheese that is golden and slightly browned with a smooth, creamy texture. Below the cheese is a rich, red-brown sauce that pools around the enchiladas, giving a moist and glossy look. On top, a dollop of white sour cream sits in the middle, sprinkled with finely chopped fresh green cilantro leaves and a light dusting of reddish-brown chili powder. The edges of the tortillas are soft and slightly wrinkled, showing hints of the sauce inside. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (use rotisserie chicken for convenience or cook your own)
  • 1 can red enchilada sauce (10 oz) (choose mild or spicy based on preference)
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 8 pieces flour tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped cilantro, for garnish
  • Sour cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare the chicken by boiling or baking until fully cooked, then shred it using two forks or your hands.
  2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add vegetable oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the shredded chicken to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Pour a small amount of red enchilada sauce into the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking.
  5. Step 5: Take a flour tortilla, place a generous spoonful of the chicken mixture in the center, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and roll tightly. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat until all tortillas are filled.
  6. Step 6: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the rolled enchiladas and sprinkle with the rest of the shredded cheese.
  7. Step 7: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
  8. Step 8: Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream.

Tips & Variations

  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
  • Swap the Monterey Jack cheese for cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend for a different taste.
  • Add black beans or corn to the filling for added texture and nutrients.
  • Try corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
  • Garnish with sliced avocado or a squeeze of lime for fresh brightness.

Storage

Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual servings until hot.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a baked dish in a clear glass rectangular baking dish, filled with three to four layers of rolled tortillas covered in rich red tomato sauce, topped with a layer of melted golden-yellow cheese with some brown spots from baking, and sprinkled with fresh green cilantro leaves evenly scattered over the surface. The baking dish is placed on a white marbled tray inside an oven. The edges of the tortillas are slightly browned and crispy, with sauce bubbling around them. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these enchiladas ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the enchiladas and refrigerate them covered for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes for an easy meal prep option.

What can I use if I don’t have enchilada sauce?

If you don’t have enchilada sauce, you can use salsa combined with a bit of tomato sauce and chili powder as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Print

Delicious Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

These delicious chicken enchiladas combine tender shredded chicken, melty Monterey Jack cheese, and a zesty red enchilada sauce wrapped in soft flour tortillas. Sautéed onions and garlic add depth to the filling, which is seasoned with cumin and chili powder for a flavorful, comforting Mexican-inspired dish baked to bubbly perfection.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 2 cups Cooked and shredded chicken (Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or cook your own.)
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil (Used for sautéing onions and garlic.)
  • 1 small Onion, chopped (Adds sweetness and depth to the filling.)
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Brings a wonderful aroma and flavor.)
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin (Adds warmth and earthiness.)
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder (Gives a nice kick and enhances flavor.)
  • to taste Salt and pepper (Helps balance the flavors.)

Assembly and Topping

  • 1 can Red enchilada sauce (10 oz) (Adds a zesty kick; choose mild or spicy based on preference.)
  • 2 cups Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (Melts beautifully and adds creaminess.)
  • 8 pieces Flour tortillas (Soft and pliable for easy rolling.)

Garnish and Serving

  • for garnish Chopped cilantro (Adds a pop of color and freshness.)
  • for serving Sour cream (Adds creaminess and tang.)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Boil or bake the chicken until fully cooked, then shred it using two forks or your hands to get tender shreds perfect for enchiladas.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add vegetable oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Cook the chicken mixture: Add shredded chicken to the skillet along with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Prepare the baking dish: Pour a small amount of red enchilada sauce into the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking.
  5. Assemble the enchiladas: Take a flour tortilla, spoon a generous portion of the chicken mixture into the center, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and roll tightly. Place each filled tortilla seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat until all tortillas are used.
  6. Add sauce and cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas, then sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese on top.
  7. Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
  8. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden on top.
  9. Serve: Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream on the side.

Notes

  • You can use rotisserie chicken to save prep time.
  • Adjust the spice level of the enchilada sauce based on your preference.
  • Flour tortillas are preferred as they are soft and easier to roll, but corn tortillas can also be used if preferred.
  • Make sure to cover the dish while baking to keep the enchiladas moist and then uncover to get a golden bubbly cheese topping.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: chicken enchiladas, Mexican, baked enchiladas, shredded chicken recipe, Monterey Jack cheese enchiladas

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