Irresistible Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple, delicious solutions, and this creamy one pan sour cream chicken enchilada skillet delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Melted cheese, tender chicken, and bold spices create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Every bite packs a punch of southwestern-inspired goodness that makes taste buds dance with excitement.

The skillet method means less cleanup and more enjoyment for busy home cooks.

Layers of rich, tangy sauce blend seamlessly with perfectly seasoned chicken and soft tortillas.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish turns an ordinary evening into a fiesta of flavor.

Dive into this irresistible meal that promises to become a new family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Butter: Provides rich, golden flavor foundation and helps create smooth sauce texture.
• Flour: Essential for thickening sauce and creating silky, luxurious consistency.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender protein that absorbs surrounding spices and sauce beautifully.
• Chicken Broth: Deepens savory undertones and ensures moist, succulent chicken.

• Chipotle Chili Powder: Introduces smoky, vibrant heat with complex southwestern flair.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall recipe flavor profile.
• Oregano: Adds earthy, aromatic herbaceous note typical in Mexican cuisine.
• Green Chiles: Brings mild, bright pepper kick and authentic southwestern character.
• Black Olives: Contributes tangy, briny depth and interesting textural element.

• Sour Cream: Creates luscious, velvety sauce with gentle tanginess.
• Corn Tortillas: Traditional wrap that breaks down and thickens dish authentically.
• Grated Cheese: Melts into irresistible golden blanket with rich, comforting appeal.

Tools for Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking the entire dish, providing ample space for all ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending flour and broth smoothly without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Needed for shredding cooked chicken.
• Sharp knife: Helps break down chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and combining ingredients in the skillet.
• Cheese grater: Useful for preparing fresh grated cheese topping.

Cooking Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet in One Pan

One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Sauce Preparation

Create a smooth, creamy base by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety.

• Flavor Infusion

Enhance the sauce with zesty chipotle chili powder, aromatic oregano, spicy green chiles, and briny black olives. Gently nestle chicken breasts into the fragrant mixture.

• Chicken Cooking

Simmer the chicken over low heat, covered, until it’s perfectly tender and fully cooked. Carefully remove and shred the chicken into delectable bite-sized pieces.

• Creamy Transformation

Stir in rich sour cream, creating a luxurious sauce. Return the shredded chicken to the skillet and fold in soft corn tortillas for a comforting blend of textures.

• Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle a generous layer of grated cheese over the top. Cover and let the skillet work its magic, allowing the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.

Tips to Maximize Flavor in This One-Pot Meal

• Adjust the chipotle chili powder to match your preferred spice level. Add extra for a fiery kick or reduce for a milder flavor profile.
• Swap chicken breasts with shredded rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or black beans for a quick protein alternative that saves cooking time.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, queso fresco, or a Mexican cheese blend to create unique flavor combinations.
• Toss in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking to add extra nutrition and color to the skillet.
• Prepare the enchilada skillet in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven for an easy meal solution.

Serving This Skillet Meal Hot

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve this skillet enchilada directly at the table for a rustic, family-style presentation that invites everyone to dig in together.
• Taco Night Twist: Create a build-your-own station with extra toppings like diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges to let guests customize their portions.
• Hearty Side Companions: Pair with Mexican-style rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad to round out the meal and add extra texture and flavor to the dining experience.
• Leftover Magic: Transform any remaining enchilada skillet into a next-day lunch by wrapping in a fresh tortilla or serving over a bed of mixed greens for a quick and delicious meal remix.

How to Store Chicken Enchilada Skillet Leftovers

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare this skillet enchilada dish ahead of time by cooking the chicken and sauce in advance, storing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion the cooled enchilada skillet into individual containers and freeze for quick weeknight meals. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
• Leftover Love: Refresh cold leftovers by adding a splash of fresh chicken broth while reheating to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Mix gently to maintain the sauce's creamy consistency.
• Storage Safety Tip: Always cool the skillet meal completely before refrigerating, and use clean utensils when serving to prevent bacterial growth. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

Hearty Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy sour cream chicken enchilada skillet delivers Mexican comfort right to dinner tables. Cheesy, zesty layers combine classic ingredients with simple cooking technique, ensuring you savor rich southwestern flavors in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 whole boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 oz (113 g) chopped green chiles
• 12 corn tortillas, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups (226 g) colby-jack cheese, grated
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 3 tbsps (45 g) butter
• 3 tbsps (24 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (473 ml) chicken broth
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp oregano
• 1/8 tsp chipotle chili powder (optional)
• 4 oz (113 g) chopped black olives

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Instructions

1. Sauce Foundation: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, whisking flour into a smooth roux that forms the base of the enchilada sauce.
2. Liquid Infusion: Stream chicken broth into the roux, stirring continuously to develop a silky, flavorful sauce enhanced with chipotle chili powder, oregano, green chiles, black olives, and salt.
3. Chicken Cooking: Immerse chicken breasts in the simmering sauce, covering and reducing heat to low. Cook until chicken is completely tender, approximately 15 minutes.
4. Protein Preparation: Remove chicken from sauce, shred into bite-sized pieces, then return to the skillet, creating a hearty protein base.
5. Creamy Transformation: Fold sour cream into the warm sauce, creating a rich, velvety consistency. Integrate torn corn tortillas to absorb the luxurious sauce and add rustic texture.
6. Cheese Finale: Generously top the skillet with grated cheese, covering to allow complete melting. Continue cooking for 5-8 minutes until cheese becomes a golden, bubbling layer that envelops the entire dish.

Notes

• Sauce Secrets: Whisk flour and butter slowly to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth base for maximum flavor development.
• Chicken Perfection: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and juicy meat every time.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Choose a blend of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for deeper, more complex cheese flavor and optimal melting texture.
• Tortilla Transformation: Tear corn tortillas into smaller pieces to help them absorb sauce more effectively and distribute evenly throughout the skillet.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 847 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg