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Chicken Enchiladas with red sauce and melted cheese

Chicken Enchiladas


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  • Author: Emilia
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

Chicken Enchiladas deliver bold, balanced flavor with tender shredded chicken, silky red enchilada sauce, and melty cheese for a craveable weeknight win. Cozy, satisfying, and easy to assemble.


Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or poached)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup chicken broth, as needed

For the enchilada sauce (quick red):

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons chili powder (blend or ancho)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)

To assemble:

1012 corn tortillas (6-inch) or 8 flour tortillas (8-inch)

2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or cheddar blend)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

1/2 cup finely diced white onion (optional topping)

Lime wedges, for serving


Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F and oil a 9×13-inch baking dish. Warm tortillas until pliable.

2. Make sauce: Heat oil, whisk flour, cook 1 min. Stir in spices, then whisk in broth until smooth. Simmer 5–7 min to thicken. Add tomato paste if using.

3. Make filling: Sauté onion in olive oil 3–4 min. Add garlic 30 sec. Stir in spices, splash in broth, fold in chicken until moist but not soupy.

4. Assemble: Spread 1/2 cup sauce in baking dish. Dip or brush tortillas with sauce. Fill with chicken and cheese, roll, place seam-side down.

5. Top and bake: Pour remaining sauce over rolls, sprinkle with cheese. Bake 18–22 min until bubbling and lightly golden. Rest 5 min.

6. Garnish: Top with cilantro and onion, serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracks.

Brush tortillas with oil or toast lightly to avoid sogginess.

Mix some sauce into chicken for juicier filling.

Use cheese blends for best melt and flavor.

Store refrigerated 3–4 days or freeze unbaked up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 enchilada
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 750mg
  • Fat: 19g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 29g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg