The Best Chicken Enchiladas Recipe (2024)

The BEST Chicken enchilada recipe! These easy chicken enchiladas are made with shredded chicken, cheese and my homemade enchilada sauce.

Chicken Enchiladas

When I go out for Mexican food, I always order the chicken enchiladas because it’s my favorite!! This enchilada recipe has been one of my most popular recipes since I first posted it, which I am not surprised! My easy homemade enchilada sauce really makes it outstanding, so don’t skip that step! These are so good, I can’t order them out now, because I am always disappointed. Serve enchiladas with Cilantro Lime Rice and Refried Beans.

Ingredients

Enchilada Sauce:

• Garlic and onion, minced
• Chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, to taste
• Tomato sauce
• Chipotle chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and fresh pepper, to taste
• Reduced-sodium chicken broth

Chicken Filling:

• Cooked, shredded chicken breast (from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or slow-cooked shredded chicken). Chicken thighs also work
• Garlic and onion, minced
• Cilantro
• Kosher salt, cumin, dried oregano, and chipotle chili powder, to taste
• Chicken broth and tomato sauce

Enchiladas:

• Whole wheat flour or gluten-free tortillas
• Shredded part-skim Mexican cheese blend, cheddar cheese or monterey jack cheese

Toppings:

• Chopped scallions or cilantro plus optional toppings such as sour cream, avocado, Greek yogurt, jalapenos, etc.

How To Make Chicken Enchiladas

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Make the enchilada sauce: In a pot, sauté minced garlic in oil. Add chipotle chiles, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 mins and set aside.
3. Make the chicken filling: In a skillet, sauté minced onion and garlic. Add shredded chicken, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chili powder, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Cook for 4-5 mins and set aside.
4. Assemble: Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with oil. Put 1/3 cup of chicken mixture onto each tortilla, roll them up, and place seam-side down in the dish.
5. Bake: Pour enchilada sauce on top, sprinkle shredded cheese, and bake covered for 20-25 mins.
6. Garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro and add optional toppings. Serve hot and enjoy!

What is an Enchilada?

An enchilada is a traditional Mexican dish that typically consists of a tortilla filled with anything from meat, cheese, beans, vegetables, and spices, and then rolled up and covered with a enchilada sauce. Enchiladas are served hot and can be topped with additional cheese, sour cream, avocado and other toppings.

What should I put in my enchiladas?

Enchiladas can be filled with anything you can think of! In this Chicken Enchilada recipe, I used shredded chicken breast, but here’s a few more ideas.

• Vegetarian enchiladas are great with refried beans, white beans, butternut squash or zucchini and cheese, then topped with sauce and more cheese.
• Leftover taco meat or picadillo also makes a great filling for enchiladas. You can use beef or turkey for this.
• For pork enchiladas, try this Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas as the filling.
• The enchilada sauce in this recipe is so good I created a separate post for it, I usually make double and freeze the rest!

How to cook shredded chicken for enchiladas:

To make shredded chicken in the slow cooker use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) and top with enough water or broth to cover. Cook on low 4 to 6 hours, then drain and shred. You can also use leftover chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken which is so much quicker if you don’t have time.

What to serve with enchiladas:

• Perfect with Refried Beans, Black Beans and Rice, Mexican Rice, Yellow Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice
• Keep it low-carb with veggie rice such as Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower “Rice” or Mexican Cauliflower “Rice”
• Leftovers are great the next day with a salad and a few avocado slices.

This chicken enchilada recipe has been one of my go-to recipes for years and are always a hit when we serve them to friends and family. If you’re debating on if you should make them, I vote yes, and let me know what you think!

More Enchilada Recipes

• Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas with Salsa Verde Sauce
• Enchilada Chicken Roll Ups
• Classic Enchiladas Verdes
• Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Turkey Enchilada Stuffed Turkey Rellenos

Photo credit Sarah of Broma Bakery