Chicken enchiladas, especially these green chili chicken enchiladas, hold a special place in our hearts because they were the very first recipe we learned to make, and they’re a perfect example of how our Mexican heritage shines through in our cooking.
Since then, they’ve been made HUNDREDS of times (maybe more) and we’ve deemed enchiladas as a family favorite dinner! We make them almost weekly and love to whip them up for dinner guests making them one of our signature dishes!
The flavors of green chiles + loads of chicken and gooey cheese make them absolutely irresistible – it’s no wonder they’re ALWAYS a hit!
Serve them alongside our famous Mexican Rice and Canned Refried Beans for a complete Mexican feast!
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Feeds the masses. Great for making for company because it’s easy to double (or even triple!)
- Freezer Friendly. Green chile chicken enchiladas are our favorite recipe to store in the freezer for a rainy day!
- Warm sauce softens tortillas. A quick dip prevents cracking and makes rolling easy.
- Sauce coverage keeps them tender. Baking covered in sauce prevents dry enchiladas and keeps them moist.
Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients
- Shredded cooked chicken (2 cups): Tender protein that soaks up the tangy green sauce and keeps each enchilada hearty. Baked Chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or even Shredded Chicken (canned chicken can be used but we do not prefer it).
- Shredded Colby Jack cheese, or Mexican blend cheese, divided (2 cups): Half melts inside for creamy pull, the rest finishes bubbly on top. Or Mexican blend, grated marble Colby jack, cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese and pepper jack cheese blends all work well.
- Chopped green chiles (1, 4-ounce can can): Mild heat and bright chile flavor that defines the dish. For a milder flavor use diced green bell peppers. For extra heat use diced jalapenos.
- Garlic salt and pepper (to taste): Quick, even seasoning that boosts savory notes.
- Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce (1, 28-ounce can): Tangy, silky sauce for dipping tortillas and smothering the pan. Or make homemade Green Enchilada Sauce.
- Corn tortillas, 6 inch (8): Classic texture and flavor; dipping them in hot sauce keeps them pliable and prevents cracking. 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.)
- Sour cream (1 cup): Adds cool creaminess inside each roll for a luscious, balanced bite.
- toppings (optional) – olives, tomatoes, diced red onions, sliced jalapenos, fresh cilantro, salsa, chili peppers, black beans, or corn
How to Make Chicken Enchiladas
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
FILLING. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, 1 cup of cheese, green chiles, and salt and pepper to taste.
SAUCE. In a small skillet, bring the 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.
- Roll the tortilla and place seam-side down in 8×8-inch (or 9×9) 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. Let them cool a few minutes before serving. Serve with favorite toppings like Pico de Gallo, Sweet Salsa Verde, Homemade Salsa, and Guacamole.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds to help keep them from cracking while rolling.
- Be sure to dip the tortillas in the hot sauce so they can soften and won’t crack when rolled.
- Use about ⅓ cup filling per tortilla as written for even portions and tidy rolls.
- For easy application use sour cream in a squeeze bottle or put the sour cream in a sandwich bag and cut off the bottom tip.
- Arrange seam side down and snuggle rolls close so they do not unroll while baking.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than packaged cheese.
- Bake until the edges bubble and the top cheese melts with a few golden spots for best flavor.
Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, or Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1 (4-ounce) can can chopped green chiles
- garlic salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (28-ounce) can Las Palmas green chile enchilada sauce
- 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine chicken, 1 cup cheese, chiles, salt, and pepper.
- In a small skillet, bring enchilada sauce to a boil, then lower temperature and bring to a simmer.
- Dip each tortilla into heated sauce for a few seconds to soften.
- Place a tortilla in a 9×11 inch baking dish and spoon ⅓ cup of chicken mixture and 2 tablespoons sour cream down the center. (NOTE: The squeeze sour cream works great.)
- Roll the tortilla and place seam-side down.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour enough sauce to cover the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Make sure to dip the tortillas in the sauce so they can soften and won’t crack when rolled.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- For easy application use sour cream in a squeeze bottle or put the sour cream in a sandwich bag and cut off the bottom tip.
- To bake. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Pour on the extra sauce and add the cheese before baking according to the recipe directions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make as instructed, cover them with plastic wrap, and place them in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or cover again with foil and freeze for 3-4 months. Take the excess sauce place it in an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze it.
To bake. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Pour on the extra sauce and add the cheese before baking according to the recipe directions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for 3 months. Thaw if needed and reheat large portions in the oven and smaller portions in the microwave.
Complete The Meal
Side Dishes
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
45 mins
Easy Esquites Recipe
20 mins
Canned Refried Beans
10 mins
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
13 mins
More Enchiladas
Desserts
Cheesecake Chimichanga
30 mins
Churro Cheesecake Bars
40 mins
Mexican Wedding Cookies
1 hr 26 mins
Easy Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 32 mins
Collections
This recipe was originally published June 2010.
This recipe is extremely good. The last time I made it the sour cream curdled though. The time before I mixed the sour cream into the chicken mixture instead of layering 2 tablespoons on each one. I have found the layering is prone to curdle. I could feel the texture when I was eating it. Back to mixing it in.
I have really enjoyed cooking many of your recipes, even though living in Alaska I am often limited on what I can get. I have always been able to substitute and get edible food for my 6 kids. I highly recommend people take the time to try your recipes they are enjoyable and not overly costly to make. God Bless your family!!
Thank you so much for giving them a try and for the kind words!!
This looks absolutely amazing. I need to try this. I love your posts and all the amazing recipes you share. Thank you.
can you do this with flour tortillas?
You bet!!
Delicious and quick meal for my family! I use rotisserie chicken from grocery store and it’s amazing, plus an easy hack. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Yes! A rotisserie chicken is a great option for these! So glad you enjoyed them!
I have questions. I used the measurements you listed. I even weighed the tomatillos 🤣 My sauce was very very liquid. So I boiled it down further. It had a bit of a sour bite. My tortillas also crumbled up. Bought them an hour before using, microwaved to soften. They held up wrapping but the final product was more like casserole. It tasted good, if I could get rid of the sour bite it would be even better lol. What I’m getting at is, any idea what I did wrong?
Nothing. Corn tortillas are notoriously fragile. Tomatillos are tangy. And make a thin sauce.. I used the Los Palmas enchilada sauce she suggested and it wasn’t terribly thin. But maybe add less sauce on top if you want it less saucy? I haven’t cooked mine yet. But everything seemed standard to other green chili enchiladas. Keep playing with it! Maybe you just don’t like tomatillos?
Hmmm… I always use the Las Palmas brand of green chile enchilada sauce and haven’t had a sour taste. If you do feel like the tortillas crumble or are soggy, I’d say start will less sauce and then add more as needed. You can always add a little more to the top either before or after baking.
If the corn tortillas were soft I’m thinking it might had something to do with the microwaving it before you used it cuz her recipe called for warming up in the sauce I think what she meant was to dip it in the sauce just before you roll it up you wanted a time and when you pull it out roll it up immediately you don’t put the whole pack in the sauce if that’s what you think she meant That’s really the only thing I can think could possibly be the difference
I have made these easy enchiladas several times and they consistently come out great! They are quick to make, are delicious and you can customize this great recipe by adding a few extra ingredients!
Ms. Kristyn, Aloha I am looking forward to making this recipe sounds great, I don’t believe we really have real authentic Mexican food, I mean we have a lot of Mexican food restaurants and of course ” taco bell! , but nothing like the authentic Mexican food I ate while living in Dallas Texas and boy do I miss it. Your recipes sound and look fantastic and your directions and Soo understandable I am on my way to the store to pick up some ingredients and this Mexican cooking class is” ON “!! And I’m store bound.
Mahalo my friend and again thank you for your time and sharing I know I appreciate you. !!! Peace and Godspeed,
……. Lokelani ☮️🙏🍍🌈❤️🤙🏝️🌈😎
Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy the enchiladas!!
OMG… these were awesome! I cut the recipe in 1/2 as I am by myself. They were easy and unbelievably good! Thanks so much for sharing!
Now I have dinner for tomorrow too!
Our family’s go to! Thank you! So yummy and easy.