Craving a quick and tasty dinner? These chicken enchiladas easy to make are the perfect solution. With tender chicken, soft tortillas, and a rich enchilada sauce, this recipe brings comfort food to the table in no time. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple Mexican dinner or a family-friendly recipe, these enchiladas will satisfy everyone!
Why We Love This
These chicken enchiladas easy are everything you need for a flavorful, fuss-free dinner. Whether you’re cooking for the family or hosting a small get-together, this dish brings everyone to the table with a smile. Here’s why you’ll love making this recipe again and again:
- Quick and Simple: With just a few pantry staples like tortillas, chicken, and enchilada sauce, you can whip up these easy chicken enchiladas in under 30 minutes. No need for complex ingredients or long prep times!
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of seasoned chicken, tangy enchilada sauce, and gooey melted cheese makes every bite irresistible. It’s the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and comforting.
- Customizable: This recipe is versatile—feel free to switch up the proteins or add your favorite toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or olives. You can easily make it your own!
- Family-Friendly: Whether you have picky eaters or everyone’s a fan of bold flavors, these enchiladas will please all ages. It’s an ideal dish for busy weeknights when you need something quick but satisfying.
- Perfect for Leftovers: If you happen to have any enchiladas left, they store beautifully in the fridge for the next day’s lunch. Just reheat and enjoy the same deliciousness again.
This recipe is a comfort food classic that’s perfect for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a special weekend meal. Enjoy the simplicity, the flavor, and the satisfaction of creating something everyone will love!
Ingredients
Cooked Chicken – Shredded rotisserie chicken is recommended for chicken enchiladas easy as it saves time and adds great flavor, but you can also cook your own chicken if preferred.
Flour Tortillas – Soft flour tortillas are ideal for chicken enchiladas easy as they hold the filling and sauce well, but corn tortillas are an alternative if you prefer them.
Enchilada Sauce – Store-bought or homemade enchilada sauce is essential for flavoring the dish; choose one with the right amount of spice for your preference.
Shredded Cheese – A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese melts beautifully in chicken enchiladas easy, binding the chicken and sauce together with a creamy finish.
Onion – Finely chopped onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish, balancing out the richness of the sauce and cheese.
Garlic Powder – Garlic powder is key to seasoning chicken enchiladas easy, providing savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
Ground Cumin – Ground cumin gives the enchiladas a warm, earthy flavor, enhancing the authenticity of the Mexican-inspired dish.
Chili Powder – Chili powder adds heat and depth to chicken enchiladas easy, with the amount adjustable based on your spice preference.
Instructions
Making these chicken enchiladas easy is a breeze! Follow these simple steps to create a dish everyone will love:
Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the Chicken: Shred the cooked chicken, using rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
Season the Chicken: Mix the shredded chicken with onion, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
Fill the Tortillas: Spoon 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, roll them up, and place them in the baking dish.
Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Let the enchiladas cool slightly, then garnish with cilantro, sour cream, or your favorite toppings. Serve hot.
Pro Tips
To make your chicken enchiladas easy even more flavorful and foolproof, here are some pro tips to elevate your cooking game:
Use Rotisserie Chicken: If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken is your best friend. It’s already cooked, flavorful, and perfect for shredding. Plus, it saves you a lot of prep time!
Warm the Tortillas: Softening your tortillas before rolling them will help prevent them from cracking. Warm them in a dry skillet or microwave for 15-20 seconds, and they’ll roll up perfectly!
Customize the Spice Level: If you like things spicy, feel free to add some jalapeños or use a spicy enchilada sauce. For a milder version, opt for a mild salsa or omit the chili powder.
Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheese blends for extra flavor. Try mixing cheddar with Monterey Jack for a creamy, melty finish or go bold with Pepper Jack if you like a little heat.
Make Ahead: These enchiladas are great for meal prepping! You can assemble them a day ahead, cover them tightly, and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, just pop them in the oven for a quick dinner.
Add Veggies: To boost nutrition, throw in some veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini with your chicken mixture. They’ll add color, texture, and extra vitamins to your dish.
Finish with Freshness: After baking, top your enchiladas with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime for that perfect burst of flavor that brightens everything up!
Variations
One of the best things about these chicken enchiladas easy is how easily you can customize them to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are a few fun variations to switch things up and keep the recipe fresh:
Vegetarian Enchiladas: Swap out the chicken for black beans, corn, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian version. You can also add some sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
Shredded Beef Enchiladas: If you’re craving something heartier, use shredded beef instead of chicken. A slow-cooked beef roast or leftover roast beef works wonderfully for this variation.
Spicy Enchiladas: If you like a little heat, stir some jalapeños or green chilies into the chicken mixture, or use a spicy enchilada sauce for an added kick.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken enchiladas easy are delicious on their own, but you can make the meal even more satisfying with a few tasty sides and garnishes. Here are some perfect pairings to elevate your dish:
Mexican Rice: A classic side dish that complements enchiladas perfectly. The fluffy rice absorbs the extra sauce and adds a mild contrast to the bold flavors of the enchiladas.
Refried Beans: Creamy and hearty, refried beans make an excellent side dish to round out your meal. You can even add a little shredded cheese on top for extra flavor!
Guacamole: Creamy, zesty guacamole adds a fresh burst of flavor and richness to your plate. It’s the perfect way to balance out the heat if you’ve made spicy enchiladas.
Sour Cream and Salsa: Garnish your enchiladas with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh salsa for added creaminess and a pop of freshness. You can also top with a squeeze of lime to bring out the flavors.
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FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you master these chicken enchiladas easy and make them even more enjoyable!
Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?
Absolutely! While homemade enchilada sauce is delicious, using store-bought sauce is a great time-saver. Choose a quality brand for the best flavor, or opt for a spicy enchilada sauce if you prefer some heat.
Can I make enchiladas ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare everything the day before, cover the enchiladas tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
How can I make these enchiladas spicier?
If you enjoy a little extra heat, try adding jalapeños, chili powder, or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture or use a hot enchilada sauce. For an extra kick, top with some sliced fresh chili peppers before serving.
chicken enchiladas easy
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Olive oil for greasing the pan or non-stick spray
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or non-stick spray.
- Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t already, shred your cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken works wonders here, making the process even quicker.
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the chopped onion, garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until the chicken is well-seasoned.
- Fill the Tortillas: Lay each flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the seasoned chicken mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll them up tightly and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, making sure to cover each enchilada generously.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the enchiladas are heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or your favorite toppings. Serve hot and enjoy!