Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Classic Mexican flavours made simple – cheesy, saucy and family-approved!

It can be overwhelming trying to work out what to cook for dinner every night of the week. Whenever I feel like I need to reinvent the wheel, I remind myself that classic recipes are usually the most comforting and delicious. They also happen to be the meals that are the most popular with my family!

These Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are simple to prepare and the perfect family dinner for when we are craving Mexican flavours and something deliciously cheesy and comforting. Whether you quickly cook a couple of boneless, skinless chicken breasts as per the recipe, or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or roast chicken leftovers, this recipe comes together so easily.

I smother these Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas in a homemade enchilada sauce – which takes only a few minutes to make and tastes better and costs less than storebought – then shredded cheese, which is melted over the top in the oven. For freshness, I love to finish the dish with smashed avocados, pickled red onion and chopped coriander (cilantro). These enchiladas are perfect to make ahead too. Simply assemble and refrigerate for up to 3 days until you are ready to cook.

Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?

Absolutely! While homemade sauce is quick and affordable to make, using good-quality store-bought sauce is a great shortcut for busy nights. Use 2 cups (250 g).

How do I keep my enchiladas from getting soggy?

Ensure your chicken tortilla filling is cool enough to handle before filling the tortillas. Also, don’t skip the layer of sauce on the base of the baking dish as it helps to prevent soggy tortillas.

What else can I add to the chicken filling?

Try black beans, diced pickled jalapeños for spice lovers, shredded baby spinach – or leftover roasted vegetables, finely chopped, like zucchini (courgette), capsicum (bell pepper) or sweet potato.

What’s the difference between a burrito and an enchilada?

The main difference is that a burrito is made using corn tortillas, while enchiladas are made with flour tortillas. Also, burritos are often eaten with the hands and enchiladas are often covered in sauce, so eaten with a knife and fork.

Watch how to make Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

What are some other Mexican recipes for family weeknight meals?

If you enjoyed Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, I think you’ll love:

Mexican Pulled Chicken Nachos
One-pan Cheesy Beef Enchiladas
Beef Brisked Loaded Fries
Taco Bowl
Black Bean Burritos

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

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These Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are a comforting family favourite. Packed with tender chicken, corn and cheese, smothered in a quick homemade enchilada sauce, then topped with pickled onions and smashed avocado – these enchiladas are everything you want for a satisfying dinner, made easy.

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

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Quick Pickled Onion

• 1 small red onion, finely sliced
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water

Seasoning

• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

Smashed Avocado

• 1 small avocado
• Juice of ½ lime
• Sea salt flakes, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste

Chicken

• 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast (2 large breasts)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water

Enchilada Sauce

• 1 brown onion, diced
• 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (can be substituted with red wine vinegar or white vinegar)
• 700 g (1 lb 9 oz) passata
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Assembly

• 1 cup (200 g) corn kernels (fresh, frozen or canned)
• 2 cups (250 g) shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
• 6–8 regular flour tortillas
• ¼ bunch finely chopped coriander (cilantro), to serve

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Instructions

Quick Pickled Onion

1. Add the pickled onion ingredients to a medium bowl and toss to combine. Allow to sit until ready to serve.

Seasoning

1. In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients and set aside.

Smashed Avocado 

1. In a small bowl, mash the avocado using a fork. Add the lime, salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Cook Chicken 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced).
2. Sprinkle half of the seasoning over the chicken. Use your hands to coat the chicken evenly. Reserve the other half of the seasoning for the enchilada sauce.
3. Heat the olive oil in a deep, heavy-based pan with a lid over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–-6 minutes on each side, with the lid on, until just cooked through. Add the water at the halfway mark to stop the chicken sticking and to aid in the cooking process.
4. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks, your fingers, or chop it using a knife.

Enchilada Sauce 

1. To the same pan over medium–high heat, add the onion and garlic – no need to add more oil. Cook, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until softened.
2. Deglaze the pan with the apple cider vinegar and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
3. Add the passata and water and the remaining seasoning mix and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Chicken Filling 

1. In a large bowl, place the shredded cooked chicken, ½ cup (125 g) of the enchilada sauce, the corn and 1 cup (125 g) of the cheese. Stir to combine.

Assemble and Bake 

1. Spread ½ cup (125 g) of the enchilada sauce in the base of a large baking dish.
2. Working with one tortilla at a time, add roughly ½ cup of the chicken filling to the top third of the tortilla. Roll the tortilla up and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
3. Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup (125 g) of cheese.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

To serve 

1. Spoon the smashed avocado on top of the enchiladas, followed by the pickled onion and a sprinkling of coriander. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Large Wooden Spoon

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Tongs

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Notes

Make Ahead

Assemble the enchiladas up to 3 days in advance and store covered and refrigerated. Ensure that the enchilada sauce is fully cooled before spooning on the top of the tortillas (this stops the tortillas absorbing too much sauce). Bake covered with foil at 200°C (400°F) (180°C/350°F fan-forced) for 15 minutes, then uncovered for 10 minutes until heated through and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Leftovers

Smashed avocado – Needs to be removed and refrigerated in a separate airtight container for up to 24 hours (after this time, it will brown).

Quick pickled red onion – Needs to be removed and refrigerated in a separate airtight container for up to 3 days.

Enchiladas – Store individual portions in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, freeze (just the enchilada, but not the pickled onion or avocado) for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw completely overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.

• Author: Nicole
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Chicken, Family Favourites
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired