Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe (The Best You’ll Ever Make!)

Craving cheesy, saucy, and incredibly satisfying chicken enchiladas but worried about the effort? You’ve come to the right place. This Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe is your ticket to a delicious, restaurant-quality meal right at home, and it’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this recipe will become a fast favorite with your family and friends.

We’re focusing on simple, clean ingredients and a straightforward process that delivers maximum flavor without the fuss. Forget complicated steps; this is all about getting a comforting, bubbling pan of enchiladas on the table with ease.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

• Quick & Simple: This recipe is designed for ease. With straightforward steps, it’s perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
• Packed with Flavor: We use a perfect blend of spices and a rich red sauce to create a deep, savory flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Perfectly Cheesy: A generous amount of melted cheese makes these enchiladas the ultimate comfort food.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with your favorite toppings or adjust the spice level to your liking.

The Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Enchiladas

The magic of this dish lies in using quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect pan of enchiladas.

For the Chicken Filling

• Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. Alternatively, you can use about 2 large chicken breasts, boiled or pan-seared and shredded.
• Onion & Garlic: These aromatics form the essential flavor base for the filling.
• Cream Cheese: The secret to a creamy, rich filling that doesn’t dry out.
• Spices: A simple mix of cumin, chili powder, and oregano adds that classic enchilada flavor.

For the Enchilada Sauce (and a Store-Bought Tip)

While a homemade red enchilada sauce is fantastic, a quality store-bought version works wonders in this easy chicken enchilada recipe. Look for a brand with minimal ingredients, like Old El Paso or Las Palmas. This is the key to keeping the recipe weeknight-friendly!

Assembly Essentials

• Tortillas: Corn tortillas offer the most authentic flavor, but flour tortillas also work well if you prefer a softer texture.
• Cheese: A Mexican blend of shredded cheese is perfect. It usually contains Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and Colby for the perfect melt.

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps for a foolproof dish. This is where the magic happens!

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Chicken Filling

Start by sautéing the diced onion in a skillet until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the shredded chicken, cream cheese, and spices. Mix until the cream cheese is melted and everything is well combined. This creamy base ensures every bite is rich and delicious.

Step 2: Warm the Tortillas

This is the most crucial step to prevent your enchiladas from breaking or getting soggy! Warm the corn tortillas by lightly frying them in a skillet with a bit of oil for about 15-20 seconds per side. They should be soft and pliable, not crispy. This creates a barrier that helps them hold up to the sauce.

Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Take a warm tortilla, spoon a generous amount of the chicken filling down the center, and roll it up tightly. Place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Step 4: Sauce, Cheese, and Bake!

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend generously over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and slightly golden. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best, Non-Soggy Enchiladas

The number one complaint with enchiladas is that they can become mushy. Here’s how to avoid it:

• Fry Your Tortillas: As mentioned in Step 2, briefly frying your corn tortillas in hot oil makes them more durable and resistant to absorbing too much sauce.
• Don’t Drown Them: Use enough sauce to cover the enchiladas, but don’t create a swimming pool in your baking dish.
• Serve Immediately: Enchiladas are best enjoyed fresh from the oven before they have too much time to sit and soak.

Delicious Variations and Substitutions

This easy chicken enchilada recipe is a great starting point. Try these variations:

• Add Beans or Veggies: Mix in a can of black beans (rinsed and drained) or some sautéed bell peppers and corn into the chicken filling.
• Spice It Up: Add a diced jalapeño to the onion or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling for extra heat. For a different flavor profile, consider making this delicious shrimp and sausage gumbo.
• Change the Protein: This recipe works great with shredded beef or pork. For a fantastic beef recipe idea, check out this simple beef and broccoli recipe.

What to Serve with Chicken Enchiladas

Complete your meal with some classic sides. We love serving our enchiladas with Mexican rice, refried beans, a simple side salad, or some delicious street corn. And if you’re looking for another comforting casserole, this chicken cordon bleu casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for single servings or place the baking dish back in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. The oven method helps crisp the cheese back up!

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Ultimate Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

FL Recipes

Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe (The Best You’ll Ever Make!)

This Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple, straightforward steps. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish features a creamy chicken filling, rich red sauce, and lots of melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 enchiladas

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken Filling

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken A rotisserie chicken works great!
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin

For Assembly

• 8 corn tortillas
• 20 oz red enchilada sauce about 2.5 cups
• 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil for warming tortillas

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
• 1 Large Skillet

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and all ingredients are well combined. Remove from heat.
4. In a separate small skillet, heat 1 tbsp of oil. Warm each corn tortilla for about 15-20 seconds per side until soft and pliable. Do not let them get crispy. Set aside on a plate.
5. Spread about 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Take one warmed tortilla, spoon a portion of the chicken filling down the center, and roll it up tightly. Place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
7. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them snugly in the dish.
8. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas, ensuring they are all covered. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro or sour cream if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalProtein: 30gFat: 28gFiber: 4g

Notes

Tip 1: Using a rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver and adds great flavor.
Tip 2: Don't skip warming the tortillas in oil! This is the key to preventing them from falling apart or getting soggy.
Tip 3: For extra flavor, add a can of diced green chiles to the chicken filling.

Keyword chicken enchiladas,easy enchiladas,weeknight dinner

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