Sizzling Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe for Family Fun

Sizzling with authentic Mexican flavors, these chicken enchiladas recipe bring comfort and zest to your dinner table.

Tender shredded chicken nestles between soft tortillas, blanketed in a rich, spicy sauce that dances with bold seasonings.

Each bite promises a perfect harmony of textures and tastes that transport you straight to a bustling kitchen in Mexico.

The secret lies in carefully layered ingredients and a balance of traditional spices that make this dish truly extraordinary.

Melted cheese creates a golden, bubbling crust that adds irresistible appeal to every enchilada.

Home cooks and food lovers will delight in this straightforward yet deeply satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and turn an ordinary evening into a festive culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 25min

Total Time: 40min

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredient Guide

• Cooked Chicken: Tender and succulent protein that brings heartiness to the dish, best when shredded from freshly roasted or leftover chicken.
• Black Beans: Creamy legume that adds robust texture and plant-based protein, choose low-sodium canned beans for convenience.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking base that helps sauté vegetables and develop deep flavors.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic duo that creates a flavor foundation, select fresh firm onions and plump garlic cloves for maximum taste.
• Green Chiles: Adds subtle heat and southwestern charm, opt for mild canned chiles for consistent flavor.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Dried Oregano: Spice blend that delivers authentic Mexican-inspired warmth, choose high-quality ground spices for vibrant taste.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates all other ingredients.

• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour wraps that hold the delicious filling, select fresh, pliable tortillas.
• Enchilada Sauce: Rich, tangy base that moistens and binds the dish, choose red or green sauce based on preference.
• Cheese: Melty, creamy topping that adds richness and golden-brown appeal, shredded Mexican blend works perfectly.

Equipment You’ll Need for Chicken Enchiladas

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing onions and mixing filling ingredients.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for assembling and baking enchiladas.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Helps chop onions and prepare fillings.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grated cheese.

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas Step by Step

Zesty Chicken Enchilada Adventure

• Kitchen Preparation

Get your cooking space ready with all the necessary tools and ingredients spread out, creating a welcoming cooking environment that feels like a culinary playground.

• Flavor Foundation

Sauté aromatic onions and garlic in a sizzling skillet, releasing their magical essence and creating a mouthwatering base for your enchilada filling. Combine shredded chicken, hearty black beans, and vibrant green chiles with a blend of spices that will make your taste buds dance.

• Enchilada Assembly

Transform soft tortillas into delicious rolls by generously stuffing them with the tantalizing chicken mixture. Nestle these flavor-packed bundles into a baking dish, creating a cozy enchilada family that will soon become a delectable meal.

• Baking Magic

Slide the enchilada creation into a preheated oven, letting the heat work its transformative powers. Watch as the cheese melts into a golden blanket and the sauce bubbles with excitement, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece that promises to delight everyone at the table.

• Serving Celebration

Gently remove the enchiladas from the oven, letting them rest for a moment. Garnish with fresh herbs, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite toppings, turning this dish into a festive feast that celebrates flavor and comfort.

Chicken Enchiladas Tips and Flavor Boosts

• Replace chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or black beans for a vegetarian twist that keeps the flavor intensity high.
• Adjust chili powder and add diced jalapeños to dial up heat or keep it mild for sensitive palates by reducing spicy ingredients.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, queso fresco, or a mix of monterey jack and cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
• Prepare enchiladas up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
• Assemble enchiladas, wrap securely in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for a quick weeknight meal.

Serving Chicken Enchiladas the Right Way

• Party Plate Perfection: Create a festive platter with colorful garnishes like chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and a drizzle of sour cream for visual appeal and extra flavor burst.
• Fresh Fiesta Sides: Pair with Mexican-style rice, black bean salad, or crisp green salad to balance the rich enchiladas and add nutritional variety to the meal.
• Spice Level Customization: Offer hot sauce, jalapeños, or salsa on the side so guests can adjust the heat according to their personal spice tolerance and preference.
• Leftover Magic: Store remaining enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making perfect next-day lunch or quick reheatable dinner for busy nights.

How to Keep Chicken Enchiladas Fresh

• Refrigerator Readiness: Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Stack them carefully with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicious texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual enchiladas or the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to keep their original flavor and texture intact.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated or thawed enchiladas in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. For quicker results, microwave individual servings for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of extra enchilada sauce to maintain moisture.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Prepare the chicken filling a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. This makes assembly faster and allows flavors to develop more deeply. Keep components separate until ready to bake for maximum freshness and crispness.

Sizzling Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40min
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chicken enchiladas showcase tender shredded chicken rolled in corn tortillas and smothered with rich red sauce. Melted cheese and fresh cilantro complete this classic comfort dish perfect for family dinners and weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (16 fl oz/454 ml) shredded cooked chicken
• 8 large flour tortillas
• 12 oz (340 g) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, Mexican cheese blend, or a combination)
• 15 oz (425 g) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups (16 oz/454 g) enchilada sauce
• 4 oz (113 g) diced green chiles (do not drain)
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt

Optional, for serving: fresh cilantro, chopped green or red onion, sour cream, avocado, pico de gallo

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F, establishing the perfect thermal environment for transforming raw ingredients into a delectable Mexican-inspired feast.
2. Flavor Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté onions with olive oil until translucent, creating an aromatic base that will infuse the entire dish with depth and complexity.
3. Protein Medley: Incorporate shredded chicken, black beans, green chiles, and a vibrant blend of spices into the skillet, stirring to marry the ingredients into a harmonious filling that promises robust flavor.
4. Sauce Integration: Fold enchilada sauce into the skillet mixture, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated and the filling develops a rich, cohesive texture.
5. Assembly Technique: Lay out tortillas, distribute the chicken mixture strategically, sprinkle cheese, and roll tightly, creating compact enchilada parcels that will bake into a mouthwatering main course.
6. Baking Presentation: Arrange rolled enchiladas seam-side down in a prepared baking dish, lavish with additional enchilada sauce and a generous cheese topping that will transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
7. Oven Transformation: Bake until the cheese melts completely and edges crisp, typically 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to intensify and meld beautifully.
8. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and let rest briefly, then garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or sliced jalapeños to elevate the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Tortillas: Pat tortillas dry before filling to avoid excess moisture that can make them mushy.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Let the chicken and bean mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes to intensify spice and ingredient integration.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for a more complex, creamy texture.
• Rest and Serve Strategy: Let enchiladas sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow filling to set and make cutting and serving cleaner.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 25min
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg