The Best Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting delicious chicken enchiladas has become my go-to comfort meal during hectic weeknights.

Weekends inspire me to experiment with bold flavors and simple ingredients.

Mexican cuisine offers incredible depth through minimal preparation techniques.

Home cooks appreciate straightforward approaches that deliver maximum satisfaction.

Our enchilada approach combines tender chicken, zesty spices, and melted cheese in a quick, crowd-pleasing dish.

Soft tortillas wrapped around seasoned meat create a perfect balance of texture and taste.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for future dinner adventures.

Chicken Enchiladas Everyone Will Enjoy

• Breeze Through Preparation: This chicken enchiladas recipe requires minimal kitchen skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like using different proteins, adding extra veggies, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: These enchiladas deliver a satisfying, hearty meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal dinner option for family gatherings or casual get-togethers with friends.
• One-Pan Wonder: With simple steps and minimal cleanup, this recipe saves precious time in the kitchen while still producing a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes impressive.

Ingredients For Chicken Enchiladas

• Chicken: Shredded chicken provides the primary protein and flavor base for the enchiladas.

• Cumin, Garlic Powder: These spices add depth and warmth to the chicken filling.

• Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas serve as the wrap for the chicken filling.
• Enchilada Sauce: Provides moisture and traditional Mexican-style flavor to the dish.

• Cheese: Adds creaminess and helps bind the enchiladas together.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing onions and greasing the baking dish.
• Onions: Adds aromatic base flavor to the chicken mixture.

Step-By-Step Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick olive oil massage to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Chicken Filling

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame. Toss in onions and let them dance until soft and translucent.

• Cumin
• Garlic powder

Stir everything together until well combined and bursting with flavor.

Step 3: Prep The Baking Dish

Spread a silky layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of your baking dish.

This creates a tasty foundation for your enchiladas.

Step 4: Roll Up The Magic

Time to assemble!

Grab your tortillas and load them up with the chicken mixture. Sprinkle cheese inside each tortilla, then roll them up tight like little flavor bundles.

Nestle these rolled enchiladas seam-side down in the saucy dish.

Step 5: Sauce And Cheese Finale

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over your rolled enchiladas.

Shower them with a generous snowfall of cheese.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a melty, bubbly wonderland.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve hot and enjoy your homemade enchilada feast!

Tips For Tasty Chicken Enchiladas

• Swap chicken with black beans or tofu for a vegetarian version that's equally delicious and protein-packed.
• Use whole wheat tortillas to boost nutritional value and add a slightly nutty flavor to your enchiladas.
• Prepare chicken filling ahead of time and refrigerate for a quick weeknight meal that saves precious cooking time.
• Add diced bell peppers or zucchini to the chicken mixture for extra vegetables and enhanced nutritional profile.
• Control spice levels by choosing mild or hot enchilada sauce based on your family's taste preferences.

Different Versions Of Chicken Enchiladas

• Vegetarian Enchiladas: Replace chicken with black beans, roasted bell peppers, and corn for a protein-packed meat-free version.
• Spicy Southwest Enchiladas: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce to increase heat and create a fiery flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Enchiladas: Swap tortillas with roasted cauliflower leaves or lettuce wraps, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and verify enchilada sauce is gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.

What Goes Well With Chicken Enchiladas

• Fiesta Family Night: Set up a colorful buffet with these enchiladas as the star, adding side dishes like Mexican rice, black beans, and fresh guacamole for a complete meal everyone will love.
• Casual Taco Tuesday Twist: Transform your regular taco night by serving these enchiladas with fun toppings like sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and extra cilantro for personalized flavor.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare these enchiladas ahead of time, store in the refrigerator, and bake when ready. Perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches, they reheat beautifully and taste just as delicious.

How To Store Chicken Enchiladas Correctly

• Refrigerate leftover enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours after cooking.
• Store enchiladas flat in the container to maintain their shape and prevent sogginess.
• Keep refrigerated enchiladas for up to 3-4 days for best quality and taste.
• Avoid freezing enchiladas with fresh cilantro garnish, as herbs can become mushy.

FAQs

• Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Simply shred the meat and follow the recipe as instructed.

• How can I make the enchiladas spicier?

Add diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture or use a spicy enchilada sauce to increase heat levels. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes for extra kick.

• Is it possible to prepare enchiladas ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the enchiladas, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to cooking time.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mexican chicken enchiladas bring authentic flavors straight from traditional kitchens to dinner tables. Rich corn tortillas wrapped around seasoned chicken create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

Cheeses:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Other Ingredients:

• 8 flour tortillas (8-inch size)
• 1.5 cups enchilada sauce
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature and gently sauté onions until they become translucent and soft.
3. Add shredded chicken to the skillet, incorporating cumin and garlic powder, stirring to ensure even seasoning and distribution.
4. Create a thin protective layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to prevent tortillas from sticking.
5. Distribute the chicken mixture evenly among tortillas, carefully sprinkling cheese inside each one before rolling them tightly and compactly.
6. Arrange the rolled enchiladas seam-side down in the baking dish, ensuring they are snug and secure.
7. Generously drizzle the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, covering them completely.
8. Liberally sprinkle the remaining cheese across the top of the enchiladas, creating a rich and melty surface.
9. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes golden, melted, and slightly bubbly.
10. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh, vibrant cilantro leaves before serving to add a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or spicy enchilada sauce to match personal taste preferences.
• Swap traditional tortillas with gluten-free or low-carb alternatives like cauliflower wraps for dietary restrictions.
• Enhance protein variety by substituting chicken with shredded beef, turkey, or vegetarian options like black beans and roasted vegetables.
• Prep enchiladas ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which intensifies flavor and saves cooking time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg