Chicken Enchilada Recipe (2024)

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This chicken enchilada recipe is quick, easy, and perfectly spiced. They are a top-requested family favorite!

We love to serve these enchiladas alongside Homemade Spanish Rice, Homemade Salsa, and Chicken Tacos.

Chicken Enchilada Recipe (1)

A family go-to!

Because of my heritage, I’ve learned how to make so many Mexican recipes – and this enchilada recipe is the FIRST Mexican dinner I learned to make.

Since then, I’ve made it countless times and we’ve established enchiladas as a family favorite dinner (along with Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, Cheese Enchiladas and Beef Enchiladas).

Why we love them:

  • Any and every night. A 20-minute prep time makes these perfect for a quick dinner and entertaining.
  • Restaurant quality at home. Get those delicious classic Mexican flavors at home!
  • Feeds the masses. This makes a good-sized batch and is also freezer-friendly, so make extras and save them for a quick meal later!
  • For sharing. I love giving this chicken enchilada recipe (frozen) to new moms so they have a simple dinner for their family on crazy nights.
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • chicken – Use canned chicken, Baked Chicken, or rotisserie chicken and shred it with a fork. I love to keep Shredded Chicken in the freezer to use in my favorite recipes.
  • Colby jack cheese – Using a different cheese blend can certainly change the flavor. Try a Mexican blend, grated marble Colby jack, or a cheddar cheese and pepper jack blend.
  • Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce – or homemade Green Enchilada Sauce
  • sour cream or plain yogurt
  • corn tortillas We prefer corn tortillas since they are more traditional and add more flavor to the recipe, but you can swap the corn tortillas with similarly sized Flour Tortillas. No need to dip flour tortillas in the sauce before rolling.
  • chopped green chiles
  • salt and pepper to taste
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (3)
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (4)

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. CHICKEN MIX. Stir the filling ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. TORTILLAS. Boil the sauce and remove from heat. Dip each tortilla into the heated sauce for a few seconds to soften.
  4. FILL. Place the softened tortilla in the baking dish and spoon ⅓ cup of the chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons of sour cream down the center (squeeze sour cream packages work great for this!)
  5. BAKE. Roll up the tortilla and make sure it’s seam-side down in the baking dish. Top with shredded cheese and bake for about 20 minutes.

Serving Size

This easy enchilada recipe makes 4 servings, but we usually double it to feed a larger crowd and use a 9×13 casserole dish.

Chicken Enchilada Recipe (5)
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (6)

Recipe Tips

  • Soften the tortilla without dipping or frying. If the tortillas are falling apart while dipping, they could be old and should probably be microwaved instead. Warm tortillas in the microwave or on a pan in the oven. When they are just warm, keep them wrapped in a thick kitchen towel or a tortilla warmer.
  • Soggy enchiladas. Enchiladas should be saucy, but not soggy.
    • Bake uncovered and then let them cool a bit to allow steam to evaporate.
    • Soften the corn tortilla so that it rolls easily, but don’t saturate it.
    • Adding too much sour cream or enchilada sauce can cause it to be soggy. You can always add more sauce after they have baked.
  • Toppings. Add olives, tomatoes, diced red onions, sliced jalapenos, fresh cilantro, salsa, chili peppers, black beans, or corn.
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (7)
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (8)

Serving Suggestions

The Mexican side dish options are endless for this chicken enchiladas recipe.

  • Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Homemade Salsa, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole
  • Refried Beans
  • Homemade Tortilla Chips
  • Esquites, Mexican Corn on the Cob
  • Chicken Tacos
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (9)

SToring Info

  • Make ahead of time. Make as instructed, cover them with foil or plastic wrap, and place them in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance. Take the excess sauce and place it in an air-tight container. Pour on the sauce and add the cheese before cooking.
  • STORE.If stored properly, chicken enchiladas can last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on low in the oven.
  • FREEZE.We LOVE to freeze these chicken enchiladas and save them for later. We often double the batch and then eat one and freeze the rest for another night.
    • We suggest making them in a disposable pan. Cover tightly with foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. When done this way, they can last in the freezer for several months.
    • To cook, let the enchiladas thaw in the fridge overnight and cook for about 25 minutes.
Chicken Enchilada Recipe (10)

For Even More Enchiladas:

Beef Enchiladas

30 mins

Recipe Video

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

40 mins

Cheese Enchiladas

47 mins

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Chicken Enchilada Recipe (15)

Chicken Enchilada Recipe (16)

4.99 from 641 votes

Chicken Enchilada Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

This chicken enchilada recipe is quick, easy, and perfectly spiced. They are a top-requested family favorite!

Servings: 4

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 2 cups Colby jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 (19-ounce) can Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 6-8 corn tortillas
  • 1 (4 ½-ounce) can can chopped green chiles
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • In a small bowl, combine chicken, 1 cup of cheese, green chiles, salt, and pepper.

  • In a small skillet, bring enchilada sauce to a boil. Remove from heat.

  • Dip each tortilla into the heated sauce for a few seconds to soften.

  • Spoon ⅓ cup of chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons sour cream down the center for each tortilla (I usually put the sour cream in a sandwich bag and cut the bottom tip which makes it easier to squirt right down the center).

  • Roll the tortilla and place seam-side down in 8×8 (or 9×9) inch baking dish.

  • Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour the remaining heated enchilada sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

  • Bake for 20 minutes.

Video

Notes

FOR A 9×13 PAN…INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 – 4 CUPS CHICKEN
  • 3 CUPS MONTEREY JACK CHEESE
  • 1 – 28 OZ. CAN LAS PALMAS GREEN CHILE ENCHILADA SAUCE
  • 12-15 CORN TORTILLAS
  • 1 – 2 CANS 4.5 OZ. CHOPPED GREEN CHILES
  • 11/2 – 2 CUPS SOUR CREAM
  • SALT & PEPPER

Make ahead of time. Make the enchiladas as instructed, cover them with foil or saran wrap, and place them in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance. To make them even better, take the excess sauce and place it in an air-tight container. Pour on the sauce and add the cheese before storing.

FREEZE.We LOVE to freeze these Chicken Enchiladas and save them for later. In fact, we often double the batch and then eat one and freeze the rest for another night.

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 1700mg, Potassium: 342mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 1810IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 534mg, Iron: 2.7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Categorized as: Chicken, Cuisines, Main Dishes, Mexican Recipes, Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

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Chicken Enchilada Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

How do you cook real good chicken enchiladas? ›

Grande Chicken Enchiladas
  1. Microwave - Poke holes in the film and cook for 3:30 - 4:30 minutes, let sit for 1 minute before removing. ...
  2. Oven - Remove the film and cook at 400° for 28-32 minutes.
  3. Air Fryer - Remove the film and cook at 375° for 10-12 minutes.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Toppings: When it comes to enchiladas, I vote the more toppings the merrier! Any combination of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion (or quick pickled red onions), sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, and/or extra cheese would be delicious!

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

If you prefer a creamy enchilada sauce, La Victoria Creamy Chili premade enchilada sauce is the best enchilada sauce at the grocery store. This premade enchilada sauce, which comes in a jar rather than a can, isn't spicy at all, even though it has the word “chili” in its name.

Should you cover enchiladas when you bake them? ›

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

What is enchilada sauce made of? ›

What is Enchilada Sauce? Red enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas or mole rojo. It is a sauce made out of ancho/ pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc. all blended together then simmered until thickened.

What cheese is best for enchiladas? ›

Pepper jack is great too. Queso fresco is soft, not greasy when it melts, cotija adds a dry saltiness to green enchiladas, combine with Jack which is like asadero, mozzarella, or queso quesadilla. If you don't have options, buy a blend and add pepper jack. Use a fresh cheese, like panela or canasta.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

Is red or green enchilada sauce better for chicken enchiladas? ›

If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.

How do you make enchiladas without falling apart? ›

The trick to preventing your tortillas from breaking is to hydrate them. Once your enchilada filling is ready, pour some of your sauce into a saute pan and put some heat under it. You don't want to boil the stuff, just get it above room temperature. Have the pan you'll bake the enchiladas in ready and waiting too.

Why are my chicken enchiladas soggy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Compared to its yellow counterpart, white corn tortillas tend to be softer with a more tender texture. They also have a higher moisture content, which makes them more pliable. These corn tortillas can be easily rolled and folded without cracking or breaking — ideal for enchiladas and flautas.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Most enchiladas are baked and covered with foil until heated through. Oven temperatures and baking times vary per recipe, but on average they cook in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the enchiladas after they are heated through.

What is the best cheese to melt on enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

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