Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired cheesy chicken enchiladas deliver comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Creamy cheese, tender chicken, and zesty spices create a memorable meal that welcomes diners to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 680 g (24 oz) cooked and shredded chicken
- 790 g (28 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 170 g (6 oz) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 170 g (6 oz) shredded monterey jack cheese (divided)
- 225 g (8 oz) cottage cheese
- 120 g (4 oz) sour cream
- 12 (8-inch/20 cm) flour tortillas
- 150 g (5.3 oz) chopped onion
- 30 ml (2 tbsps) vegetable oil
- 1 (4-oz/113 g) can diced green chilies
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- 60 ml (4 tbsps) water
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F), positioning the rack in the center for even heat distribution.
- Flavor Foundation: In a skillet, sauté onions in vegetable oil until softened. Add green chilies, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and a splash of water. Incorporate shredded chicken, stirring to coat evenly with the aromatic spice blend.
- Cheese Fusion: In a mixing bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
- Enchilada Assembly: Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce in an 11×14-inch baking dish. Lay out tortillas, spread cheese mixture in the center, top with seasoned chicken, and roll tightly into cylindrical shapes, positioning seam-side down.
- Sauce and Cheese Finale: Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, ensuring complete coverage. Generously sprinkle additional cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese across the top.
- Baking Transformation: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the sauce bubbles, cheese melts completely, and the filling reaches optimal temperature.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, adding a vibrant burst of color and fresh herbaceous flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Chicken Prep Hack: Shred chicken while still warm for easier, more uniform texture and better spice absorption.
- Cheese Mixing Tip: Blend cheeses at room temperature to create a smoother, more cohesive filling that melts evenly.
- Tortilla Technique: Warm tortillas briefly before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
- Sauce Coverage Trick: Ensure complete sauce coating by spooning extra sauce between enchiladas for maximum flavor penetration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg