Best Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Introduction: Affordable, Easy Dinner Idea for Families or Two

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the kitchen wondering what to make that’s quick, affordable, and feels like a warm hug on a plate, these chicken enchiladas are for you. Whether you’re planning simple dinner recipes for two healthy enough for weeknights or looking for one of those best family meals easy dinners everyone loves, this dish has you covered.

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It’s easy to see why chicken and enchiladas go hand in hand. The creamy cheese, the zesty sauce, and the soft tortillas bring comfort in every bite. Even better, this recipe is flexible enough to scale. Cooking for four people? Perfect. Feeding a crowd of ten? No problem. Want a healthy twist for a cozy date night? Just swap in a few ingredients.

This homemade enchilada recipe captures that Mexican-at-home flavor without the fuss. It’s not just dinner. It’s a moment shared, whether around a crowded table or a quiet evening for two.

Ready to make it yours?

Chicken Enchilada Ingredients (Easy and Affordable Pantry Staples)

Great enchiladas start with the right building blocks. This chicken enchilada recipe keeps it simple, using ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen. It’s an affordable easy dinner idea that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  Rotisserie works well, but any cooked chicken will do.
  
• 1 small onion, chopped
  Adds sweetness and depth to the filling.
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  Brings out bold aroma and rich flavor.
  
• 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon chili powder
  Warm spices that give the chicken its character.
  
• 1 can red enchilada sauce (10 oz)
  Choose mild or spicy depending on your taste.
  
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  Melts beautifully and holds everything together.
  
• 8 flour tortillas
  Soft and easy to roll. Warm them slightly for best results.
  
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  Used to sauté the onion and garlic.
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  Essential for balance.
  
• Chopped cilantro and sour cream for garnish
  Adds freshness and a creamy finish.
  

These pantry staples form the core of this homemade enchilada recipe. Nothing fancy, just the kind of ingredients that make comfort food shine.

Enchiladas Easy Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Making chicken enchiladas at home is easier than it looks. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, cheesy tray of comfort on the table in under an hour.

1. Prepare the filling

Start by heating the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about three to four minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken along with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook for another three to five minutes to soak in the spices.

2. Set up your baking dish

Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. This keeps the tortillas from sticking and adds moisture underneath.

3. Assemble the enchiladas

Take one tortilla and spoon in the chicken mixture. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam side down in the dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

4. Finish and bake

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Top with the rest of the cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another five to ten minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes before serving. This step helps everything set and makes serving cleaner and easier.

Tips for the Best Family Meals: Easy Dinners with Flavor

Chicken enchiladas are already a crowd-pleaser, but a few small details can take them from good to unforgettable. These tips help turn this enchiladas easy recipe into one of your best family meals yet.

Use freshly cooked or seasoned chicken

While rotisserie chicken is convenient, seasoning your own chicken gives you full control over the flavor. Try baking or boiling chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and garlic powder for a boost in taste.

Warm your tortillas before rolling

Cold tortillas tend to crack or tear when you try to roll them. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to make them more flexible.

Layer your flavors

Before baking, consider sprinkling a little extra cheese or spooning a small amount of sauce between each rolled enchilada. This adds richness and keeps the dish moist throughout.

Want a restaurant-style drizzle on top? Make this creamy chipotle burrito sauce.

Let them rest before serving

Once out of the oven, give the enchiladas five minutes to rest. This helps the cheese firm up slightly and makes serving smoother.

Add fresh garnishes

Top with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a drizzle of sour cream. These final touches offer a pop of flavor and make the dish feel complete.

With these tips, your chicken enchiladas will feel more like a shared experience than just another dinner. They fit seamlessly into the rotation of best family meals and easy dinners that bring people together.

Smart Variations: Dinner for Two, Four or Ten Made Easy

One of the best things about this chicken enchilada recipe is how flexible it is. Whether you’re cooking for two or prepping an easy meal for ten people, you can adjust the recipe with no extra fuss.

Dinner for two

Halve the ingredients. Use a smaller baking dish and only four tortillas. For a healthy touch, swap out half the cheese for sautéed spinach or mushrooms. This approach turns it into one of those simple dinner recipes for two that still feels special.

Cooking for two later this week? Save this five-minute Fried Egg Quesadilla.

Dinner for four

The recipe as written serves four people comfortably. It’s ideal for families or small gatherings. Add a side of rice or salad to make it a complete dinner without extra cooking time.

Dinner for ten

To feed a crowd, double the recipe and prepare two baking dishes. You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. This makes it a great easy meal for ten people without any stress.

Bonus tip

Try a vegetarian version by swapping the chicken with black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers. This option still delivers flavor and works for guests with dietary preferences.

With these tweaks, you can turn this enchiladas easy recipe into exactly what you need, no matter the size of the table.

Chicken and Enchiladas FAQs

These questions cover the most common issues home cooks face. With a little planning and a few smart swaps, this homemade enchilada recipe stays simple and reliable.

Nutrition Facts and Healthier Swaps

Chicken enchiladas can be both comforting and nutritious, depending on your ingredient choices. Here’s a quick look at the nutrition per serving, along with ideas for making the dish lighter if needed.

Basic nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 400 to 450
  
• Protein: About 30 grams
  
• Carbohydrates: Around 30 grams
  
• Fat: 18 to 22 grams
  
• Sodium: 800 to 900 mg (varies by sauce and cheese)
  

Healthier swaps

• Use low-sodium enchilada sauce to cut back on salt
  
• Try whole wheat or low-carb tortillas for extra fiber
  
• Use part-skim cheese or reduce the amount slightly
  
• Add more vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to stretch the filling without adding many calories
  
• Serve with a fresh salad instead of rice to keep the meal lighter
  

These adjustments turn this enchiladas easy recipe into something that fits simple dinner recipes for two healthy or even larger family meals without feeling too heavy.

Final Thoughts: Why This Enchiladas Easy Recipe Wins Every Time

Chicken enchiladas have a way of turning any meal into something memorable. They’re easy enough for a weeknight but satisfying enough for special occasions. Whether you’re making dinner for two or feeding a table of ten, this homemade enchilada recipe delivers every time.

It brings together the comfort of melted cheese, the richness of seasoned chicken, and the bold flavor of red sauce in a way that feels both familiar and exciting. Plus, the flexibility of this recipe makes it one of the best family meals you can keep in your regular rotation.

So if you’ve been looking for affordable easy dinner ideas that don’t feel like a compromise, this dish checks all the boxes. Try it once and it just might become your go-to when you want something simple, hearty, and full of flavor.

Delicious Chicken Enchiladas

Emily Wilson

These homemade chicken enchiladas are a comforting and flavorful dinner that’s both affordable and easy to make. Perfect for families, date nights, or gatherings, this enchiladas easy recipe combines tender shredded chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, and melted cheese for a meal that feels like a Mexican restaurant favorite made right at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 enchiladas

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

• Skillet
• Baking Dish
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked and shredded chicken Use rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken.
• 1 small Onion, chopped Adds sweetness and depth.
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced Brings a rich aroma and flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Cumin Adds warmth and depth.
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder Enhances flavor with mild heat.
• 1 can (10 oz) Red enchilada sauce Choose mild or spicy as desired.
• 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded Melts smoothly for a creamy texture.
• 8 pieces Flour tortillas Warm before rolling to prevent tearing.
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil Used for sautéing onions and garlic.
• Salt and pepper To taste.
• Chopped cilantro For garnish.
• Sour cream For serving.

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Prepare the filling
  Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in shredded chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until well mixed.
• Step 2: Set up your baking dish
  Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking.
• Step 3: Assemble the enchiladas
  Place some chicken mixture and cheese into each tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Step 4: Add sauce and cheese
  Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese evenly on top.
• Step 5: Bake
  Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Step 6: Serve
  Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a spoonful of sour cream.

Notes

For a spicier twist, mix in diced jalapeños or use a spicy enchilada sauce. You can also make a vegetarian version by replacing chicken with black beans and corn. Warm tortillas before rolling to avoid tearing.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 420
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Potassium: 480 mg
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Vitamin A: 12% DV
• Vitamin C: 8% DV
• Calcium: 25% DV
• Iron: 10% DV

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