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Our green chili chicken enchiladas are bursting with flavor and perfect for busy nights – plus, it’s freezer-friendly!
A family go-to!
Because of my heritage, I have learned how to make so many Mexican recipes – and this green chili chicken enchilada recipe is the FIRST Mexican dinner I learned to make.
Since then, it’s been made HUNDREDS of times (maybe more) and we’ve deemed enchiladas as a family favorite dinner!
The flavors of green chiles + loads of chicken and gooey cheese make this an absolutely irresistible Mexican dish. Serve it alongside our Homemade Spanish Rice for a complete Mexican feast!
WHY WE LOVE It:
- Done in a flash. A 20-minute prep time makes these perfect for a quick dinner and entertaining.
- Feeds the masses. Great for making for company because it’s easy to double (or even triple!)
- Freezer Friendly. This is our favorite recipe to store in the freezer for a rainy day!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken – Use canned chicken, Baked Chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even Shredded Chicken
- 2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese – or try a Mexican blend, grated marble Colby jack, or a cheddar cheese and pepper jack blend
- 1 (19-ounce) can of Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce – or homemade Green Enchilada Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream – or plain yogurt
- 6-8 corn tortillas – We prefer corn tortillas since they are more traditional and add more flavor to the recipe, but you can swap the corn tortillas with similarly sized Flour Tortillas. (No need to dip flour tortillas in the sauce before rolling.)
- 1 (4½ ounce) can of chopped green chiles – For mild flavor use diced green bell peppers. For extra heat use diced jalapenos
- salt and black pepper – start with a little and add until the chicken is perfectly seasoned
- Toppings (optional) – Add olives, tomatoes, diced red onions, sliced jalapenos, fresh cilantro, salsa, chili peppers, black beans, or corn.
How to Make Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- FILLING. In a small bowl, combine 2 cups shredded chicken, 1 cup of cheese, 1 (4½-ounce) can green chiles, salt, and pepper.
- SAUCE. In a small skillet, bring 1 (19-ounce) can of enchilada sauce to a boil. Remove from heat.
- FILL. Dip each tortilla into the heated sauce for a few seconds to soften.
- Spoon ⅓ cup of chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons sour cream down the center for each tortilla (I usually put the sour cream in a sandwich bag and cut the bottom tip which makes it easier to squirt right down the center).
- Roll the tortilla and place seam-side down in 8×8 (or 9×9) inch baking dish.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour the remaining heated enchilada sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- BAKE. Bake the green chili chicken enchilada recipe uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve with favorite toppings like Pico de Gallo, Sweet Salsa Verde, Homemade Salsa, and Guacamole.
PRO TIP: Keep Tortillas from Cracking!
Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds to help keep them from cracking while rolling.
Complete The Meal
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Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 2 cups Colby jack cheese, shredded
- 1 (19-ounce) can Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 6-8 corn tortillas
- 1 (4½-ounce) can can chopped green chiles
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, combine shredded chicken, 1 cup of cheese, green chiles, salt, and pepper.
- In a small skillet, bring enchilada sauce to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Dip each tortilla into the heated sauce for a few seconds to soften.
- Spoon ⅓ cup of chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons sour cream down the center for each tortilla (I usually put the sour cream in a sandwich bag and cut the bottom tip which makes it easier to squirt right down the center).
- Roll the tortilla and place seam-side down in a 8×8 (or 9×9) inch baking dish.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour the remaining heated enchilada sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Avoid adding too much sour cream or enchilada sauce. You can always add more sauce after they have baked. Also, let the enchiladas cool for a few minutes before serving!
Make as instructed, cover them with foil or plastic wrap, and place them in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance. Take the excess sauce and place it in an air-tight container. Pour on the sauce and add the cheese before cooking.
Allow the enchiladas to cool to room temperature and store smaller portions in airtight containers in the fridge. Enchiladas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
We LOVE to freeze these for up to several months! We suggest making them in a disposable pan. Cover tightly with foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. To cook, let the enchiladas thaw in the fridge overnight and cook for about 25 minutes.
Of course! Just double the ingredients and follow the same instructions.
Nice recipes. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this recipe, now my family will have some great enchiladas tonight. Quick question, what sides do you usually throw in with this?
Being a full-blooded Mexican American from South Texas, I too, grew up eating and learning the cooking ways of my mother and other family members. I have to say that your recipes are exactly like the ones I make, too and can attest that they are simply delicious! Mexican food isn’t supposed to be spicy hot, just flavorful. The heat is added after to each individual likings. Please keep sharing your traditional everyday Mexican recipes because sometimes you’ll print one that will remind me that I haven’t had in a while.
Thanks for the sweet comment, Olga! I will keep posting our favorite Mexican meal recipes. 🙂
Has anyone made these with flour enchiladas? We’re at the beach cooking for family and that’s all I have on hand. I hope they turn out ok.
I am too 1/2 Mexican. My father is full blooded Mexicam but he is the palest Mexican you will ever see so I am also very pale. Too bad my Mom was Mexican like yours because I don’t get the awesome family Mexican recipes! People are amazed when I tell them my heritage. The only way I knew my Granpa was talking to me is when he called me “Juanita” which is Spanish for Johnnie. I am so proud of my heritage and it is good to see another “pale” Mexican!
Thanks just needed the cooking time for the dish for the S.O. I went to the school in Central NM .(Do a Goolge that should narrow it down) Enchilada nignt became a very special night and 25 years later I still try to recreate the taste
I am SHOCKED that this has been pinned SO many times, yet you only have FOUR comments! What the heck? Well I just wanted to let you know that I’m pinning it and I WILL be making it once it’s not 100+ degrees here. 🙂
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
LOL! You’re so funny!! I just pinned it for the first time this week. It’s one the first recipes I made and I am just now going back and pinning them on Pinterest. Only took me two years, haha!! It really is so good – I hope you like it!! PS – How are you??
ThiS RECIPE IS A KEEPER! VERY EASY TO MAKE AND THE WHOLE FAMILY LOVED IT. Added another can of green CHILEs just for personal preference. Also, for my son who is a vegetarian just substituted the chicken less chicken strip cut up for the chicken
More green chiles is a great option! Thank you for letting me know!
Just tried this recipe and it was AAAMMMAAAAZZZIIINNNGGGG!!!! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to try some more!
i am in love with all your recipes! i'm a sucker for mexican food and this has me SO hungry! will defintely have to add this to my "gotta make it" list!!
heaven help me – I am ALL over this! and even though we're having "killer nachos" tonight, we're having this tomorrow.
Thank you for making a recipe that is wonderful and so easy for red cheese enchiladas. It was so good. You were on my followers or following I don’t know, but now your gone. I hope you come back. I’m new to all this how do you get rid of the kooks on pinterest that follow you I hate that. Take care Linda