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Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Sauce

Tender shredded chicken and melted cheese wrapped in tortillas, covered with rich creamy sauce, and baked until golden for easy comfort food.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 enchiladas
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
  • 8 flour tortillas or corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 0.5 cup salsa for garnish
  • fresh cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • medium saucepan
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and softened.
  3. Add shredded chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until chicken is heated through and spices are fragrant. Remove from heat.
  4. Warm tortillas by stacking on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp paper towel, and microwaving for 30 to 45 seconds until warm and pliable. Alternatively, heat in a dry skillet for about 10 seconds per side.
  5. Lay a tortilla flat and spoon about ¼ cup of chicken mixture down the center. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, reserving some for topping. Roll tightly around the filling and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas, fitting them snugly in the dish.
  6. In a medium saucepan, combine sour cream, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Whisk over medium heat until smooth. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne if using, and salt to taste. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, whisking gently, until sauce thickens slightly. Keep heat at medium-low to prevent separation. Do not let it boil.
  7. Pour creamy sauce evenly over rolled tortillas in the baking dish, making sure each enchilada is coated. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over the top, covering completely.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown at the edges. Sauce should be bubbling around the edges of the pan.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Top with salsa and fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent tearing. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra flavor. Keep sauce over medium-low heat to avoid separation. Can assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking. Freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking. For corn tortillas, warm briefly in oil to make pliable. Substitute ground beef, black beans, or vegetables for different variations. Add jalapeños or green chiles to filling for extra heat.