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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve immediately and garnish with desired toppings.
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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- {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Assemble the Enchiladas:’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce over the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. To assemble each enchilada, take one of the tortillas and put ½ cup of the chicken and bean mixture down the middle of the tortilla, slightly to the side of the center. Top with ⅓ cup of cheese.’, ‘name’: ‘Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce over the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. To assemble each enchilada, take one of the tortillas and put ½ cup of the chicken and bean mixture down the middle of the tortilla, slightly to the side of the center. Top with ⅓ cup of cheese.’, ‘url’: ‘https://kristineskitchenblog.com/chicken-enchiladas/#wprm-recipe-33738-step-2-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Roll up the tortilla as tightly as you can. Put the enchilada, seam side down, in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas, enchilada filling and cheese.’, ‘name’: ‘Roll up the tortilla as tightly as you can. Put the enchilada, seam side down, in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas, enchilada filling and cheese.’, ‘url’: ‘https://kristineskitchenblog.com/chicken-enchiladas/#wprm-recipe-33738-step-2-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Spread the remaining sauce over the tops of the enchiladas. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.’, ‘name’: ‘Spread the remaining sauce over the tops of the enchiladas. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.’, ‘url’: ‘https://kristineskitchenblog.com/chicken-enchiladas/#wprm-recipe-33738-step-2-2’}]}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘Bake Enchiladas:’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Bake enchiladas for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes and then serve, with toppings as desired.’, ‘name’: ‘Bake enchiladas for 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes and then serve, with toppings as desired.’, ‘url’: ‘https://kristineskitchenblog.com/chicken-enchiladas/#wprm-recipe-33738-step-3-0’}]}
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:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare your enchilada sauce.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve the enchiladas immediately while they’re nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings. Enjoy!
White Chicken Enchiladas
Creamy and filling, these white enchiladas are perfect for any family dinner! They are ready in 30 minutes, so they are perfect for any of those busy, on-the-go nights!
Prep: 10min
Total: 35min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 992 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 50 g, Fat 69 g, Saturated Fat 39 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 230 mg, Sodium 1931 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g, unSaturated Fat 22 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 ounces can diced green chilies
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken breasts (shredded)
- 6 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces can diced green chilies
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 10 8 inch tortillas
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
- chopped cilantro for garnish
Instruction:
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and melt. Whisk in the flour and create a roux. Slowly add in chicken broth and whisk. Add in the diced green chilis, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese. Whisk until it starts to thicken and remove from heat.
- In a medium-sized bowl combine the chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, green chilies, cumin, and Monterey cheese.
- Pour the sauce on top of the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly. Garnish with cilantro if desired.
Chicken Enchiladas
FAQ
What is the secret to good enchiladas?
The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don’t soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.
What’s the best cheese to use for enchiladas?
Are enchiladas better with corn or flour?
Should I cover my enchiladas before baking?
Do you cover enchiladas when you put them in the oven?
Do you put sauce on enchiladas before or after baking?
