Chicken Enchiladas - chicken, mexican recipe

Chicken Enchiladas

Gratinert enchiladas with chicken, tomato sauce and melted cheese. Pure tex-mex comfort food that hits the spot every time.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Let cool slightly, then shred into bite-sized pieces.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, heat the tomato sauce in a small saucepan with cumin and chili powder until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  3. 3

    Preheat your oven to 200°C. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds to make them pliable.

  4. 4

    Spread a thin layer of the seasoned tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Place about 3 tablespoons of shredded chicken down the center of each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the dish.

  5. 5

    Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolled tortillas, making sure they're well covered. Sprinkle the grated cheese generously over the top.

  6. 6

    Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Per average serving

1.1k
Calories
kcal
70.1
Protein
g
110.2
Carbs
g
44.5
Fat
g
8.3g
Fiber
8.6g
Sugar
2305mg
Sodium

Tips from the kitchen

  • Shred the chicken while it's still warm. It pulls apart into clean strands then, and once it cools it gets stubborn and you end up chopping it instead.
  • Don't drown the tortillas in sauce before rolling. A thin layer on the bottom of the dish and a generous pour on top is plenty. Too much underneath and they go to mush.
  • Roll them tight and lay them seam-side down. The weight of the enchilada holds the seam shut so they don't unroll while baking.
  • Warm the tortillas right before you roll, not ten minutes ahead. Cold ones crack down the middle, and ones that sat out get rubbery again.
  • The 5-minute rest at the end matters. Pull them too soon and the sauce runs everywhere on the plate. Let it set and they hold their shape when you lift them out.

Ways to vary it

  • Swap the chicken for black beans and a little corn if you want a meatless version. Season them with the same cumin and chili so they don't taste plain.
  • Stir a handful of chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne into the tomato sauce if you like more heat.
  • A spoonful of sour cream and some chopped fresh coriander on top after baking is a nice cool contrast to the warm cheese.

Storage & leftovers

Keeps in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in a covered dish. They freeze well too, wrap individual portions tight and they'll last a couple of months. Reheat in the oven at 180°C with a bit of foil over the top so the cheese doesn't burn before the middle warms through, or microwave a single portion for a quick lunch.

What to serve with it

A simple side of rice and refried beans rounds it out, and a crisp green salad with lime cuts through the cheese. Guacamole on the side never hurts.

UC
By Untrained ChefPublished 8 March 2026 · Updated 11 July 2026