Easy Cheesy chicken enchiladas are a delicious and hearty dish that will satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. This classic recipe features tender chicken, spicy salsa, and gooey melted cheese, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a weekend get-together with friends, or a potluck party where you want to show off your culinary skills.
The best part about this recipe is that it’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking. You can use store-bought salsa or make your own from scratch, adjust the level of heat to your taste, and add your favorite toppings such as diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or sour cream.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll find this recipe to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone wanting more. So, let’s get started and learn how to make these delicious cheesy chicken enchiladas!
Table of Contents
Ingredients required for the recipe
To make these irresistible cheesy chicken enchiladas, you’ll need the following ingredients and quantities:
Ingredients
– 2 cups of cooked and shredded chicken
– 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup of shredded Monterrey jack cheese
– 1 can (4 ounces) of green chilies
– 1 can (10 ounces) of enchilada sauce
– 1/2 cup of sour cream
– 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
– 8-10 corn tortillas
Instructions for making Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced onions, green chilies, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and cumin. Mix well.
3. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Spread a spoonful of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
5. Fill each tortilla with about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture and roll it up. Place the rolled tortillas seam side down in the baking dish.
6. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the rolled tortillas.
7. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of the enchiladas.
8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
9. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious and cheesy chicken enchiladas with your family and friends!
Tips for perfecting the dish
Many people enjoy cheesy chicken enchiladas, and there are a few tricks to making them perfect each time. First and foremost, the chicken must be perfectly cooked. The overall texture and flavor of the dish can be ruined by dry, chewy chicken that has been overcooked. In order to prevent this, cook the chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165°F and its juices run clear.
Using premium cheese is another suggestion. The key ingredient in cheesy chicken enchiladas is cheese, and choosing high-quality cheese can have a significant impact. For the ideal harmony of flavors, choose a cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend.
Take care not to overfill the enchiladas when rolling them. The dish can become messy and challenging to eat if the filling spills out due to overfilling. As a general rule, fill each enchilada with about 1/4 cup of filling.
Remember to add your preferred toppings to the enchiladas as well. Diced tomatoes, sour cream, and fresh cilantro are all excellent choices. Everyone will enjoy this dish if it is served with rice and beans on the side.
Foods to pair with cheesy chicken enchiladas.
The first recommendation is to serve rice and beans on the side alongside the enchiladas. The enchiladas’ flavors will be well-complemented by the rice and beans, which will also make for a filling meal. To give the dish more flavor and texture, you can also serve some salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side.
Serving a crisp salad alongside the enchiladas is a fantastic alternative. The rich and cheese-filled enchiladas will be balanced out by a straightforward salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, and avocado.
You can enjoy the enchiladas with either a traditional margarita or a cold, crisp beer as a beverage. The flavors of the enchiladas will be complemented by the beer’s crispness or the margarita’s tanginess, which will also add a refreshing balance to the meal.
Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas go well with a lot of different things, to sum up. These recommendations will enhance the flavors and produce a filling and delectable meal, whether you decide to serve it with a side of rice and beans, a crisp salad, or a cold beer or margarita.
Equipment you’ll need Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
To make these delicious cheesy chicken enchiladas, you’ll need some basic kitchen equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Baking dish: You’ll need a baking dish to cook the enchiladas in. A 9×13 inch baking dish is perfect for this recipe.
2. Mixing bowls: You’ll need a few mixing bowls to mix the ingredients. One large mixing bowl for the chicken filling and one smaller bowl for the enchilada sauce.
3. Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are important in cooking, so you’ll need measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients.
4. Whisk: You’ll need a whisk to mix the enchilada sauce ingredients together.
5. Cutting board and knife: You’ll need a cutting board and knife to chop the chicken and onions.
6. Spoon or spatula: You’ll need a spoon or spatula to spread the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and to scoop the chicken filling onto the tortillas.
7. Aluminum foil: You’ll need aluminum foil to cover the baking dish while it’s cooking in the oven.
How to make Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas spicier or milder
The spice level of your Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas is totally up to you and can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer your enchiladas mild, simply omit the jalapenos or use less chili powder in the sauce. On the other hand, if you like your food with a bit of a kick, you can increase the amount of chili powder or add some cayenne pepper to the sauce. For those who like it really hot, you can also add some chopped fresh or pickled jalapenos to the filling.
Another great way to adjust the spice level is by using different types of chili peppers. You can experiment with different varieties such as ancho, chipotle, or poblano to get the level of heat that you desire. Remember that the heat level of chili peppers can vary, so it’s always good to taste a small piece before adding it to your recipe to ensure it’s not too hot for your liking.
Overall, the beauty of this recipe is that you can make it as spicy or as mild as you like, making it a great option to serve to a crowd with different spice preferences. So go ahead and get creative with your spice adjustments, and enjoy this delicious and versatile dish!
We hope you enjoyed our post on how to make delicious, cheesy chicken enchiladas. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party or just want to enjoy a cozy night in with your family. We’re confident that this crowd-pleasing recipe will become a staple in your home. Go ahead, try it out, and let us know what you think! We would love to hear your feedback and how your guests enjoyed this recipe at your next party.
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