Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

These Easy Chicken Enchiladas make the best Mexican dinner ever! They’re stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with an easy red enchilada sauce and baked for 20 minutes. This homemade classic is an all-time family favorite that’s great for easy weeknight meals.

If I had to pick one Mexican recipe to represent me and the food that I grew up eating, it would have to be enchiladas!

I know it’s a bold statement, but it’s true. My parents would make them about once a week, and nobody every complained because they’re just so good!

These easy chicken enchiladas feature corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with the best enchilada sauce, and even more cheese! They’re baked until the cheese is deliciously melted and bubbly.

Because they’re so easy to make, I make these enchiladas about once a week. They also make a great celebratory dish for Cinco de Mayo!

To make this a well-rounded meal, here are some sides that would be great served with these chicken enchiladas:

I topped these enchiladas with chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, but you could also garnish them with diced tomatoes, avocado slices, diced onions and some shredded lettuce for a little crunch!

To store enchiladas, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To freeze enchiladas, let them cool completely in the fridge. Transfer the enchiladas to a freezer safe container or freezer bag and freeze. You can also wrap the enchiladas completely in aluminum foil and freeze.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

These Easy Chicken Enchiladas make the best Mexican dinner! They’re stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with red enchilada sauce and baked.

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 2 enchiladas

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 2 enchiladas, calories 371 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 24 g, Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 800 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 4 g, unSaturated Fat 1 g

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 2 cups easy enchilada sauce, (divided)
• 8 corn or flour tortillas ((see note if using flour tortillas))
• 2 1/2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese, (divided)
• salt and pepper, (to taste)
• optional toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese

Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, 1/4 cup enchilada sauce and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix together and taste. Season with more salt and pepper as needed.
2. If using corn tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for 1 minute, flipping the them halfway through until all of them are warm and pliable.If using flour tortillas: Microwave the tortillas on a plate for 1 minute, flipping them halfway through until all of them are warm and pliable.
3. Assemble the enchiladas by filling each tortilla evenly with the shredded chicken mixture and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly to close and place in large baking dish seam side down.
4. Pour the remaining 1 3/4 cup enchilada sauce over the tortillas, top with the remaining 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve immediately and garnish with desired toppings.

Chicken Enchiladas

My all-time favorite chicken enchilada recipe! See notes above for possible ingredient variations.

Prep: 15min

Total: 1h

Yield: 8

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or olive oil)
• 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into small 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
• sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 8 large flour tortillas
• 3 cups Mexican-blend shredded cheese
• 1 batch red enchilada sauce
• optional toppings: fresh cilantro, chopped red onions, diced avocado, sour cream, and/or crumbled cotija cheese

Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare your enchilada sauce.
2. In large sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add diced chicken and green chiles, and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the chicken is cooked through. Add in the beans and stir until evenly combined. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
3. To assemble the enchiladas, set up an assembly line including: tortillas, enchilada sauce, chicken mixture, and cheese. Lay out a tortilla, and spread two tablespoons of sauce over the surface of the tortilla. Add a generous spoonful of the chicken mixture in a line down the center of the tortilla, then sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheese. Roll up tortilla and place in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Assemble the remaining enchiladas. Then spread any remaining sauce evenly over the top of the enchiladas, followed by any extra cheese.
4. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside. Transfer the baking dish to a wire baking rack.
5. Serve the enchiladas immediately while they’re nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings. Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

This chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan

Prep: 20min

Total: 45min

Yield: 5 servings.

Nutrition Facts: calories 468 calories, Fat 13g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 1394mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce, divided
• 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1-1/2 cups salsa
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
• 10 flour tortillas (6 inches)
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Optional: Shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, sour cream and sliced ripe olives

Instruction:

Spoon 1/2 cup enchilada sauce into a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. In a large saucepan, cook and stir the cream cheese and salsa over medium heat until blended, 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chicken, beans and chiles. , Place about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down over sauce. Top with remaining enchilada sauce; sprinkle with cheese. , Cover and bake at 350° until heated through, 25-30 minutes. If desired, serve with lettuce, tomato, sour cream and olives.

Chicken Enchiladas

The BEST Chicken Enchiladas! This easy chicken enchilada recipe has a delicious chicken, black bean and cheese filling. You can make my homemade enchilada sauce or use store-bought. They are full of flavor and perfect for a family dinner or feeding a crowd!

Prep: 25min

Total: 45min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 enchilada

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 enchilada, calories 372 kcal, Carbohydrate 32 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 1300 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 6 g

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken*
• 15 ounce can black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 4 ounce can diced green chiles
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups enchilada sauce ((about 12 ounces) homemade or store-bought)
• 12 ounces shredded cheese ((about 3 cups) cheddar, Monterey jack, Mexican cheese blend, or a combination)
• 8 large flour tortillas
• Optional, for serving: fresh cilantro, chopped green or red onion, sour cream, etc.

Instruction:

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Chicken Enchiladas

FAQ

What is the secret to good enchiladas?

Which is better flour or corn tortillas for enchiladas?

Do I need to soften corn tortillas for enchiladas?

Do you cover enchiladas with foil when baking?