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Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe – baked enchiladas with melted cheese and rich red sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro.
SavorAndSpice

Super Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe - A Pure Comfort Food

This Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe is loaded with tender shredded chicken, melty cheese and rich homemade enchilada sauce. It’s a simple Mexican dinner idea that tastes restaurant-style, perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food with bold authentic flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 8 flour tortillas medium size
  • 1 ½ cups enchilada sauce red or green
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Mexican blend / Monterey Jack / cheddar
  • ½ cup onions sautéed (optional but adds flavor)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp ground cumin optional but more authentic
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
Optional add-ins:
  • ¼ cup sliced jalapeños if you want it spicy
  • ½ cup black beans or corn if you want bulk / texture

Equipment

  • 1 9×13 baking dish
  • 1 Skillet / pan
  • 1 Spoon or spatula
  • 1 Aluminum foil (optional for covering while baking)
  • 1 Cheese grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix shredded chicken with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and 2–3 tablespoons of enchilada sauce.
  3. Sauté onions & minced garlic a little bit in a skillet or pan and mix into the shredded chicken.
  4. Warm the corn tortillas in microwave, oven or skillet so they roll easily.
  5. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
  6. Add chicken mixture and a little cheese into each tortilla, then roll and place seam-side down in the dish.
  7. Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Rest 3-5 minutes, then garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • Warm tortillas before filling to prevent cracking.
  • Use corn tortillas for a more authentic Mexican style. Just warm them first.
  • Add jalapeños, black beans, or corn to make it spicy or bulkier.
  • Store leftovers up to 3 days in the fridge & reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture