Easy Chicken Enchiladas

(205)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4

Our easy chicken enchiladas recipe is crowd-pleasing and versatile: You can use either leftover shredded chicken or a store-bought rotisserie bird and make your own enchilada sauce in just 20 minutes (or go the store-bought route). The corn tortillas and cheese (we use Monterey Jack), however, are non-negotiable. Best of all, you can prep this dish ahead of time and bake it later. Be prepared for it to go fast.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 jalapeno, finely chopped

  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in puree

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

  • 8 corn tortillas (6 inches)

  • 1 pound shredded cooked chicken, skin removed

  • 4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (12 ounces)

  • 2 tablespoons minced pickled jalapenos

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 jalapeño, finely chopped

  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in puree

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

  • 8 corn tortillas (6 inches)

  • 1 pound shredded cooked chicken (skin removed)

  • 4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (12 ounces)

  • 2 tablespoons minced pickled jalapeños

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic, jalapeno, and chili powder; cook until onion is translucent, 8 minutes.

  2. Add tomatoes and 1/2 cup water to saucepan; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, gently crushing tomatoes with a wooden spoon, until sauce is thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Add lime juice. Let sauce cool completely before storing.

  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; warm each tortilla, about 10 seconds per side. Divide chicken, 3 cups cheese, and pickled jalapenos among tortillas; roll tightly. Place seam sides down in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

  4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Top with sauce and remaining cup cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and tortillas heated through, 6 minutes or longer if refrigerated. For a crisper top, broil 1 to 2 minutes more.

    chicken-enchiladas-0903-mea100236.jpg

Cook's Notes

You can prepare recipe through step 3 the night before; cover, and refrigerate sauce and filled tortillas separately.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, September 2003

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