Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Deconstruct Chicken Enchiladas and turn them into a delicious dinner bake! Mix in your favorite fresh ingredients to enjoy all the Mexican flavors of this easy meal. This dish is great for the entire family!

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (1)

My big-boy second grader just stepped onto the bus for the first time this year. We have been on the wildest, most indescribable journey with him. He has faced so many scary things in his little life, yet he continues to grow and thrive…and SMILE. So I sit here on his first day of second grade, typing through tears to tell you about this incredible dinner I made the other night.

I’m not kidding. This Chicken Enchilada Bake was INCREDIBLE. It’s my new favorite meal. It’s a pan of totally delicious Chicken Enchiladas with no structure and minimal effort. Two of my favorite things.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (2)

Start out with a bit of olive oil in a skillet. Add cilantro, green onions and jalapeños (optional). Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (3)

Stack 6 flour tortillas (soft taco size) and cut into bite-size pieces.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (4)

Throw them into a bowl along with the green mixture from the skillet, tomatoes, shredded chicken, cheese, lime juice and enchilada sauce.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (5)

Mix well and pour everything into a square baking dish. Throw on a bit more cheese and bake for 30 minutes and that is IT! Top with sour cream, avocados, crushed tortilla chips or extra enchilada sauce, if desired.

How to make homemade enchilada sauce

Great news, making your own enchilada sauce (<— check out that post for full details!) will send this chicken enchilada bake into a whole new delicious world! Here’s how to make a super easy batch of sauce in less than 15 minutes!

  • In a small bowl, combine flour, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well.

  • Heat canola, olive or vegetable oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour-spice mixture and whisk until deep red in color (this will take about 60 seconds). Add tomato paste and chicken broth and whisk until smooth.

  • Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Add salt and pepper as desired (to taste). Let cool and pour into jars or use immediately.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (6)

I hope you love this one, too! Have a great week, friends.

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (7)

Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (8)

Chicken Enchilada Bake

Chicken Enchilada Bake

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 400kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch green onions sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped (optional)
  • 6 flour tortillas (soft taco size), cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 cups shredded chicken (recommendation: pull meat from a Rotisserie chicken)
  • 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 10 oz. can enchilada sauce
  • Juice from half of a lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add green onions, cilantro and jalapeños (if using). Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.

  • Add the green mixture to a large bowl, along with tortilla pieces, chicken, tomatoes, 1 cup of the cheese, enchilada sauce, lime juice, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and top with the remainder of the cheese.

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until heated through. Top with sour cream, avocados, crushed tortilla chips or extra enchilada sauce, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 341mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 612IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 333mg | Iron: 3mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (10)Megan Porta

    Hi Margaret! You have my permission to use whichever variety of tortillas you would like! 🙂 Enjoy!
    Megan

    Reply

  2. Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (11)Margaret Flores

    Why do you use flour tortillas when " real" enchaladas are made with corn tortillas ??
    Am going to try this but wil be using corn tortillas

    Reply

  3. Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (12)Thalia @ butter and brioche

    Totally loving all of the vibrant colours and fresh flavours going on in this enchilada bake.. looks so cheesy too! I need to recreate the recipe!

    Reply

  4. Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (13)Deanna

    This looks pretty handy and sounds tasty. I think personally I'd use corn tortillas for the tortilla bites, but that's just because I like their texture more.

    Reply

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Chicken Enchilada Bake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Most enchiladas are baked and covered with foil until heated through. Oven temperatures and baking times vary per recipe, but on average they cook in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the enchiladas after they are heated through.

How to cook real good enchiladas in the oven? ›

Grab a tray of our Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas from your local Costco or other grocery store and remove the plastic. Transfer it to an oven-safe container or cook it right in the tray. Bake at 375 degrees for 27-29 minutes. When the enchiladas are done cooking, let rest for 2 minutes.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Toppings: When it comes to enchiladas, I vote the more toppings the merrier! Any combination of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion (or quick pickled red onions), sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, and/or extra cheese would be delicious!

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

If you prefer a creamy enchilada sauce, La Victoria Creamy Chili premade enchilada sauce is the best enchilada sauce at the grocery store. This premade enchilada sauce, which comes in a jar rather than a can, isn't spicy at all, even though it has the word “chili” in its name.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

What is enchilada sauce made of? ›

What is Enchilada Sauce? Red enchilada sauce may also be called salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas or mole rojo. It is a sauce made out of ancho/ pasilla/New Mexico and/or Cascabel chiles, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, cumin, oregano, etc. all blended together then simmered until thickened.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the bean mixture in the center of each warm tortilla. Divide the cheese between the tortillas, reserving 1/4 to sprinkle on top. Roll up tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and scatter over the reserved cheese.

Why are my chicken enchiladas soggy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

What are the ingredients in real good chicken enchiladas? ›

Chicken, Chicken Tortilla (Chicken, Parmesan Cheese [Pasteurized Part Skim Cow's Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes], Less than 2% Water, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavor), Tomatillo, Water, Monterey Jack Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Jalapeno Onion, Salt, Cilantro, Xanthan Gum, Citric ...

How long to cook real good chicken enchiladas? ›

Leave Enchiladas in tray. 3. Place tray on center rack in oven on an oven-proof sheet pan. Bake for 30 - 33 min.

Can you pre make enchiladas or will they get soggy? ›

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

What cheese melts the best for enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

How do you keep flour tortillas from getting soggy in enchiladas? ›

Usually when I've made them I just put sauce on top, not on the bottom, and just down the middle so the edges are exposed. And I make the sauce on the thick side so it is not too watery. I bake them in the oven too, and they are never too soggy, but you could just grill to minimise the sauce absorption.

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