Description
Chicken Enchiladas are a comforting Tex-Mex classic made with tender shredded chicken, caramelized onions, flavorful green enchilada sauce, soft corn tortillas, and a generous layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Baked until hot and bubbly, this easy family-friendly dinner is perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt-free Cajun seasoning
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cups green enchilada sauce
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 1/2 cup sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season the chicken breasts with the cumin, chili powder, and Cajun seasoning.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and let it rest before shredding.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized.
- Pour the enchilada sauce into the skillet with the onions and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Shred the cooked chicken with two forks and stir any juices back into the sauce for extra flavor.
- Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
- Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Lightly coat each tortilla with sauce, then fill with shredded chicken, caramelized onions, and a handful of shredded cheese. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas until the dish is full.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling around the edges.
- Let the enchiladas rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and sour cream.
Notes
- Warm the tortillas before rolling to prevent them from cracking.
- Rotisserie chicken can be substituted for freshly cooked chicken to save time.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
- Assemble the enchiladas up to one day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze baked or unbaked enchiladas for up to 3 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 enchiladas
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg