The BEST Chicken Enchiladas! These easy chicken enchiladas have a delicious chicken and cheese filling with homemade enchilada sauce. They are full of flavor and perfect for a family dinner or feeding a crowd!
BEST CHICKEN ENCHILADA RECIPE
I can’t believe that it has taken me this long to share my chicken enchilada recipe! Chicken enchiladas are one of our favorite dinners, and we make them all the time. If you love enchiladas too, try my beef enchiladas, vegetarian enchiladas, and avocado enchiladas.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS VIDEO RECIPE
These homemade enchiladas are cheesy and stuffed with a flavorful chicken and black bean filling. They are the absolute best when you make them with my easy homemade enchilada sauce.
Cheesy, saucy enchiladas are easier to make than you might think! This recipe comes together quickly, even if you make homemade enchilada sauce and cook the chicken yourself. Which I highly recommend you do for the most flavorful enchiladas!
If you’re really short on time you can use store bought enchilada sauce and rotisserie chicken. Or try my enchilada casserole, the easiest way to make enchiladas.
Chicken enchiladas are one of my favorite make ahead meals. They taste even better on the second day, and they freeze beautifully. If you’re looking for a meal to bring to a family with a new baby or a friend in need, these enchiladas are perfect!
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
Here is a quick overview of the simple steps to making enchiladas. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions.
- Make the enchilada sauce, or use store-bought sauce.
- Cook and shred the chicken. You can also use rotisserie chicken.
- Make the enchilada filling. Sauté onion and garlic, and then combine with the other filling ingredients.
- Fill and roll the enchiladas.
- Bake until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melty, about 20 minutes. Then enjoy with your favorite toppings!
ENCHILADA SAUCE
I highly recommend making my homemade enchilada sauce for this recipe. It’s quick to make with pantry ingredients. To make the sauce, you’ll sauté some garlic in olive oil. Then you add the remaining ingredients to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes. You can make it more or less spicy, depending on your tastes.
HOW TO COOK CHICKEN FOR ENCHILADAS
My favorite way to cook chicken for enchiladas is to use my Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe. It’s fast, easy and hands-off. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, this Crockpot Shredded Chicken is also a good option, but you do have to plan ahead because the slow cooker takes more time. You can also chop or shred Baked Chicken to use in the enchiladas.
If you want to cook your chicken on the stove, my favorite method is to poach the chicken. To do this, you put the chicken in a pot and add enough water to cover the chicken. You can add herbs, a bay leaf, garlic cloves, and/or onion slices to the pot for flavor, if desired. Bring the water to a boil and simmer until the chicken is cooked through to 165° F on an instant-read thermometer.
If you are short on time and want to skip a step, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken in this recipe. Whichever method you choose, here are my tips for how to shred chicken.
SHOULD I USE CORN TORTILLAS OR FLOUR TORTILLAS?
Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but I prefer flour tortillas because they are easier to roll up and they hold their shape well. I find that corn tortillas fall apart easily. This question is really one of personal tastes though, so use what you prefer.
To make tortillas more pliable and easier to roll, you can warm them in the microwave, layered between two damp paper towels. Dipping corn tortillas in enchilada sauce can also make them easier to roll without tearing.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH ENCHILADAS
Here are some suggestions for enchilada toppings:
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Chopped Red Onion or Green Onion
- Chopped Cilantro