Description
A symphony of creamy, savory flavors, featuring tender shredded chicken enveloped in soft tortillas and smothered in a vibrant, zesty green chili sauce, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This easy, homemade green chili chicken enchilada recipe is perfect for any weeknight or family gathering.
Ingredients
[Group: For the Chicken Filling]
- 3 cups cooked (shredded chicken (from about 2 large chicken breasts or a rotisserie chicken))
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a Mexican blend)
- ½ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup finely diced white onion
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
[Group: For the Green Chili Sauce]
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 7-ounce can diced green chiles (mild or medium)
- 1 15-ounce can tomatillo salsa verde (or 2 cups homemade salsa verde)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
[Group: For Assembly]
- 10-12 corn tortillas (6-inch)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a Mexican blend, for topping)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (for warming tortillas)
[Group: For Garnish (Optional)]
- Extra chopped fresh cilantro
- Diced red onion
- Sour cream or Mexican crema
Instructions
[Group: Preparing the Chicken]
- Prepare Chicken: If not already cooked, cook chicken breasts (boil, bake, or use rotisserie chicken) and shred thoroughly.
[Group: Crafting Your Green Chili Sauce]
- Make Roux: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter or heat olive oil over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Add Broth & Simmer: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Flavor Sauce: Stir in the diced green chiles, tomatillo salsa verde, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Meld Flavors: Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Keep warm. (If using canned sauce, warm it and optionally stir in additional chiles/cumin).
[Group: Assembling Your Enchiladas]
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Dish: Pour about ½ cup of the green chili sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Warm Tortillas: Warm tortillas one of two ways:
- Microwave: Wrap 5-6 tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Skillet: Quickly dip each tortilla in a small amount of oil in a heated skillet for a few seconds per side until softened (do not fry until crispy).
- Fill and Roll: Dip each warmed tortilla briefly into the green chili sauce. Place ¼ to ⅓ cup of the chicken filling down the center, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
[Group: Baking for Golden Perfection]
- Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining green chili sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese generously over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden brown. Loosely tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
- Rest: Let the enchiladas rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tortilla Options: While corn tortillas are traditional, flour tortillas can be used for a softer result.
Cheese Variety: Use Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, cheddar, or Colby Jack cheese.
Spice Adjustment: Add cayenne or hot sauce for more heat, or use mild chiles for a milder flavor.
Extra Creaminess: Stir an additional ½ cup of sour cream or cream cheese into the sauce for a creamier texture.
Preventing Soggy Enchiladas: Properly warming tortillas (especially with a quick oil dip), avoiding over-saucing before baking, and baking promptly after assembly helps prevent sogginess.
Make-Ahead: Assemble (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap then foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake from frozen (remove plastic, keep foil) at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes, then uncover for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
Freezing (Baked): Bake completely, cool, then freeze individual portions or the whole dish wrapped well. Reheat in oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican