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Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

5 from 3 votes
Chicken enchiladas, a treasured dish of Mexican cuisine, wrap tender corn tortillas around a savory filling, coated in a chili-rich sauce, and baked until bubbly and golden. 
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken Filling

  • 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (whole chicken breast) 
  • 1 white onion, diced  
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced 
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth, no salt 
  • Salt to taste 

Enchilada Sauce 

Additional Items 

  • 15 corn tortillas, sturdy  
  • 12 oz queso Oaxaca, grated 
  • Oil for cooking (avocado Oil) 
  • Baking Spray 

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

  • Heat a comal or cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly toast the guajillo, and ancho chilis, flipping frequently until aromatic. Avoid burning them.
  • Heat the 3 cups of chicken broth. Rinse the toasted chiles, then soak them in the hot broth for 5-10 minutes until fully hydrated.

Chicken Filling 

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the white onion until softened and lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add fresh tomatoes and cook until softened and juices release.
  • Pour in ½ cup of chicken broth, then stir in the shredded chicken. Simmer briefly to blend flavors and reheat chicken. Season with salt to taste, then remove from heat.

Finish the Sauce 

  • Blend the hydrated chiles with their soaking broth, garlic, Mexican oregano, black peppercorns, and cumin until smooth. Strain if desired or needed for a silky texture.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Pour in the sauce and simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be smooth, slightly thick, and pourable. If too thick, add more broth; if too runny, simmer to reduce.
  • Once the sauce has the desired consistency, stir in salt to taste. Remove from the heat. 

Prep the Tortillas

  • Heat ¼ cup of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Lightly fry each corn tortilla for 10 seconds per side until pliable but not crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Pat dry if greasy.

Assemble and Bake 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Lightly spray a 10×13-inch baking dish (excluding the handles) with cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of sauce evenly across the bottom to coat it completely.
  • Stuff each tortilla with chicken filling, roll tightly, and arrange seam-side down in the dish.
  • Pour sauce over the tortillas, coating generously but leaving some edges exposed for a rustic look.
  • Top with Queso Oaxaca and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
  • Switch to high broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden top, watching closely to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Serving: 3enchiladasCalories: 699kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 51gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 1383mgPotassium: 955mgFiber: 12gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 5529IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and intended as an approximation only.
Course: Main
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Chicken Recipes, Enchiladas, Mexican Food