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This Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe makes the best Mexican dinner ever! They’re stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with an easy red enchilada sauce, and baked for 20 minutes. This homemade classic is an all-time family favorite that’s great for easy weeknight meals.
If I had to pick one Mexican recipe to represent me and the food that I grew up eating, it would have to be enchiladas!
I know it’s a bold statement, but it’s true. My parents would make them about once a week, and nobody ever complained because they’re just so good!
These easy chicken enchiladas feature corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with the best enchilada sauce, and even more cheese! They’re baked until the cheese is deliciously melted and bubbly.
Because they’re so easy to make, I make these enchiladas about once a week. They also make a great celebratory dish for Cinco de Mayo!
Chicken Enchilada Ingredients
To make this enchilada recipe, here’s what you need:
- Tortillas: I typically use store-bought corn tortillas, but you could also use flour tortillas if you prefer. If you want to make your own, here’s a recipe for homemade corn tortillas and flour tortillas.
- Enchilada Sauce: I highly recommend making your own enchilada sauce if you can! If you’re looking for a quick Tex-Mex version, here’s an easy enchilada sauce made from chili powder, tomato paste, and broth. And here’s my family’s authentic enchilada sauce made from whole dried chiles and Mexican chocolate. Both are easy to make and freezer-friendly, which is perfect if you want to make a big batch.
- Shredded Chicken: You can use any leftover shredded chicken you have in the fridge. If you don’t have any, here’s an easy recipe for shredded chicken that you can make right at home. If you don’t have time to make your own, I recommend buying a cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and shredding it at home.
- Shredded Cheese: I typically use the pre-shredded “Mexican-style” cheese that is easily found in most grocery stores, but cheddar, mozzarella, or pepperjack also work. If you’re looking to go super authentic and use traditional Mexican cheeses, I recommend Oaxaca (quesillo), Chihuahua, or Asadero.
How to Make Chicken Enchiladas
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked shredded chicken with 1/4 cup enchilada sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the tortillas in a microwave for 1 minute, flipping them halfway through until they’re warm and pliable.
- Assemble the enchiladas by filling each tortilla evenly with the shredded chicken mixture and a generous pinch of shredded cheese. Roll them tightly to close and place them seam-side down in a large baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and then top them with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve.
Chicken Enchilada Recipe Variations
- Make it the traditional authentic way. If you want to make these enchiladas using the more traditional method, shallow fry the corn tortillas in a little oil for about 5-10 seconds per side to help them become pliable and prevent them from becoming too soggy. Drain off any excess oil, then dip each fried tortilla into the warm enchilada sauce. Place the smothered tortilla on a plate, add the filling, and roll it up. Top with any remaining enchilada sauce and a sprinkle of queso fresco or cotija cheese.
- Use a different sauce. Though red enchilada sauce is usually what people think of first, you could use my green enchilada sauce made from roasted green chiles and onions, salsa verde made from tomatillos and jalapeños, or even a cheesy white sauce made from flour, sour cream, and cheese.
- Use a different meat. I know this recipe is for chicken enchiladas, but you could truly fill them with whatever meat you have on hand! Shredded meats like carnitas, barbacoa, and even birria would go great in here, as would picadillo or your favorite taco meat.
- Add beans or veggies. Black beans, pinto beans, or sauteed zucchini and bell peppers are a great addition to the shredded chicken.
What to Serve with Chicken Enchiladas
I topped these enchiladas with some chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, but you could also garnish them with diced tomatoes, avocado slices, diced onions, and some shredded lettuce for a little crunch!
To make this a well-rounded meal, try serving them with some Mexican rice or arroz verde, a scoop of creamy refried beans, and a side of guacamole. Now I’m making myself hungry.
Storing and Freezing Enchiladas
To store enchiladas, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
To freeze enchiladas, let them cool completely in the fridge. Transfer the enchiladas to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze. You can also wrap the enchiladas completely in aluminum foil and freeze them.
Enchilada Recipes
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups easy enchilada sauce, divided
- 8 corn or flour tortillas (see note if using flour tortillas)
- 2 ½ cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese, divided
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- optional toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ¼ cup enchilada sauce and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix together and taste. Season with more salt and pepper as needed.
- If using corn tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for 1 minute, flipping the them halfway through until all of them are warm and pliable.If using flour tortillas: Microwave the tortillas on a plate for 1 minute, flipping them halfway through until all of them are warm and pliable.
- Assemble the enchiladas by filling each tortilla evenly with the shredded chicken mixture and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly to close and place in large baking dish seam side down.
- Pour the remaining 1 ¾ cup enchilada sauce over the tortillas, top with the remaining 1 ½ cups shredded cheese, and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately and garnish with desired toppings.
Notes
- For the chicken: You can use any leftover chicken you have in the fridge, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, or you can make your own shredded chicken at home.
- For the enchilada sauce: I highly recommend making your own using this easy enchilada sauce recipe or this authentic enchilada sauce recipe. If you’re short on time, you can use your favorite store-bought sauce.
- If using flour tortillas: Since flour tortillas are often larger than corn tortillas, you will need an additional 1/2 cup of cooked shredded chicken for the filling.
- To make these using the more authentic and traditional Mexican method: Shallow fry the corn tortillas in a little oil for about 5-10 seconds per side to help them become pliable and prevent them from becoming too soggy. Drain off any excess oil, then dip each fried tortilla into the warm enchilada sauce. Place the smothered tortilla on a plate, add the filling, and roll it up. Top with any remaining enchilada sauce and a sprinkle of queso fresco or cotija cheese.
- Storing and Freezing: To store enchiladas, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To freeze, let them cool completely in the fridge, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze. You can also wrap the enchiladas completely in aluminum foil.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this recipe a couple of nights ago verbatim following the recipe. I loved it! Big hit with my adult son too. I have tried many chicken enchilada recipes, and this one is the best. I also liked this post because it ticked all my boxes – Jump to recipe, simple and straightforward, and best of all, cook mode! Thank you so much, I am a happy lady. I have my second batch in the oven right now, even though it’s almost 2 a.m.
This is an easy basic recipe. I was able to use some items in my fridge to thicken the chicken & sauce by adding some refried beans and ricotta cheese. Very helpful in making tonight’s dinner. They loved it and asked for me to make it again sometime soon.
I found the recipe to be wonderfully straightforward, and I was genuinely pleased that the enchiladas turned out so delicious! It felt rewarding to create something so tasty!
Awesome!!