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Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

These creamy chicken enchiladas are a family-favorite meal that’s warm, gooey and oh-so-delicious! Packed with flavor and ready in less than an hour!

chicken enchilada recipe
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Easy Mexican Chicken Enchiladas

When it comes to classic Mexican dishes, you can’t beat chicken enchiladas. They’re a Mexican food staple that are delicious and have tons of flavor. Some of my other favorites are chicken taquitos, ground beef tacos and one pot burrito bowls.

We make enchiladas all the time at our house! Although we love beef enchiladas and pork enchiladas, chicken enchiladas are our favorite. We even make different, like this version with red enchilada sauce or green chile enchiladas. Both are delicious!

This dish makes a wonderful weeknight meal and is perfect when you’re craving Mexican food. I love that everything bakes up in one dish and that it takes less than an hour. Plus they are warm, cheesy and have tons of flavor just like a recipe for cheese enchiladas should be.

We love to add on our favorite toppings like cilantro, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and sliced olives. Always a family favorite!

How to make chicken enchiladas.

What Should I Put in My Enchiladas?

Below are my favorites, but you could always add in extras like beans or this Mexican rice recipe.

  • Enchilada sauce: For a creamier enchilada sauce, beat together 1 can of sauce with 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream.
  • Butter: You’ll need butter to saute the onions and diced green chiles.
  • Onion and chiles: This recipe calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion and a 4 ounce can diced green chiles.
  • Cream cheese: I use cream cheese, but sour cream will work too.
  • Salsa: Fresh salsa is best, but store bought will work too.
  • Shredded cheese: I use Mexican cheese, but you can use cheddar or monterey jack too.
  • Chicken breast: I love to use rotisserie chicken or leftover Instant Pot Mexican chicken for convenience.
  • Tortillas: Flour tortillas are my preference, as I’ve found they fold easier. You can use corn tortillas if desired.
  • Toppings: Extras like cilantro, diced tomatoes, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and sliced olives.

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas

Scroll down for the printable recipe.

  1. Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray. Set aside. Pour about 1/4 cup of the sauce onto the bottom of the pan.
  2. Cook ingredients in fry pan. Melt butter in a fry pan and saute onions and green chiles. Over medium-heat, stir in cream cheese, 1/2 cup cheese and salsa. Once cheese is melted, mix in shredded chicken.
  3. Assemble enchiladas. Place about 3 Tablespoons of chicken filling in the center of each tortilla. Then roll them up and place in your dish seams down.
  4. Bake. Pour sauce over enchiladas, then cover with remaining cheese and place foil over pan. Bake for 20 minutes covered, then 10 more minutes uncovered. Remove from oven when nice and bubbly.
Chicken enchiladas in a baking pan.

Storing + Freezing

  • To store: These will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Just store any leftovers in an airtight container or bag. To reheat, simply cook in microwave or oven until warm.
  • To freeze: This dish makes a great freezer meal! Just assemble the enchiladas in your baking dish, then cover tightly with foil or a lid (do not bake). Place the dish in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from freezer and pop in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy!

5 star review

“Made these for dinner last night and they were delicious! My 3 children devoured them and for them that’s a miracle! My husband wants me to make them all the time. I think we will!”

– Rochelle
Chicken enchiladas in a baking pan.

More Mexican recipes we love include this chicken flautas recipe, chicken fajitas and carnitas.

More Mexican Favorites

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chicken enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

5 from 10 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
These creamy chicken enchiladas are a family-favorite meal that's warm, gooey and oh-so-delicious! Packed with flavor and ready in less than an hour!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup enchilada sauce , more if needed
  • 2 Tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 4 ounce can diced green chiles
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , or sour cream
  • ¼ cup salsa , fresh is best
  • 1-2 cups Mexican style shredded cheese
  • 2 ½ cups shredded chicken breast , I used rotisserie
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray and set aside. Pour about 1/4 cup of the sauce onto the bottom of the pan. 
  • In a frying pan, melt butter and saute the onions and green chiles. Over medium-heat, mix in cream cheese, 1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheese and salsa. Once the cheese is melted, mix in the shredded chicken.
  • Place about 3 Tablespoons of the chicken filling in the center of each tortilla. Then roll them up and place in your pan seams down. 
  • Then pour the sauce over the enchiladas. Cover with remaining shredded cheese and place foil over pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Then bake 10 more minutes uncovered. Take it out when it’s nice and bubbly!

Notes

For a rich and creamy enchilada sauce, beat together an 8-ounce can of El Pato Sauce with 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1enchilada | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Vitamin C: 6.4mg | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

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