Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Easy Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas are a comforting and cheesy Mexican classic that come together in under 30 minutes. Featuring tender shredded chicken, a blend of melty cheeses, and a flavorful enchilada sauce, this recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners. It’s family-friendly, customizable, and perfect for those who love bold and savory flavors with minimal kitchen fuss.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 enchiladas (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using corn tortillas and gluten-free enchilada sauce)
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 8 flour or corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and Monterey Jack blend)
- 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking spray
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sliced avocados
- Fresh lime juice
- Prepare the filling: Sauté chopped onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant and translucent. Add shredded chicken and 3/4 cup of enchilada sauce to coat the chicken evenly. Mix in half of the shredded cheese to combine a creamy richness into the filling.
- Soften the tortillas: Warm the tortillas briefly in the microwave or on a dry skillet until pliable to prevent cracking and help with rolling.
- Assemble the enchiladas: Spoon the chicken and cheese filling down the center of each tortilla. Carefully roll them up and place seam side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat with all tortillas and filling.
- Add sauce and cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce generously over the filled tortillas, ensuring they are well-coated. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese evenly on top to create a golden, melted crust.
- Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing.
Notes
- Use warm tortillas to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
- Shred chicken finely to distribute flavor evenly and ease rolling.
- Do not overload tortillas with filling to help enchiladas hold shape and bake evenly.
- Pour enough sauce to moisten enchiladas but avoid drowning them for the perfect balance.
- Let the dish rest before serving to meld flavors and ease slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 enchiladas
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: chicken enchiladas, cheese enchiladas, easy enchiladas, quick Mexican dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, baked enchiladas