The foundation of this recipe is a double duty Enchilada Spice Mix that flavours the homemade Enchilada Sauce and also seasons the chicken filling.
Chicken Enchiladas
I like my Enchiladas plump and generously stuffed, rather tham skimpy on the filling I want the filling to be JUICY and full of flavour, rather than dry and crumbly inside. And I want the sauce to actually still be there when it comes out of the oven, not just a dried up crusty layer of red. If this sounds like your kind of Chicken Enchiladas, then this recipe is for you!
What you need for Chicken Enchiladas
Here’s what you need for these homemade from-scratch Chicken Enchiladas.
1. Enchilada Spice Mix
Used in the Enchilada Sauce as well as seasoning the chicken filling. Nothing fancy here, just a generous dose of everyday spices!
2. Enchilada Sauce and Filling
Let’s pretend I didn’t forget to include the tortillas for rolling all this up in! 😂
Refried Beans – This is the “secret ingredient”. It fills out the filling so we can make big, plump enchiladas without using tons of chicken, holds it all together and makes it nice and juicy – and I wrote exactly the same thing about Chicken Burritos just a few weeks ago! Tomato Passata – I use Tomato Passata as the base for enchilada sauce which is smooth, pureed tomato sold in bottles. It’s plain tomato, no flavourings or salt added, and I prefer it over crushed tomato because it makes a smooth sauce. US: What you call “tomato sauce” (such as Hunts) is an ideal substitute.
Passata is sold in the pasta aisle in supermarkets for around the same price as crushed tomato.
How to make homemade Chicken Enchiladas
The 3 components to making homemade Chicken Enchiladas are:
1. How to make Enchilada Sauce
Enchilada Sauce is thickened with flour and flavoured with chicken stock/broth and Enchilada spices. A simple 5 minute mix and simmer job. And light years better than store bought – see reader feedback on Beef Enchiladas which uses the same sauce!
2. Chicken Filling
We coat the chicken in the homemade Enchilada Spice Mix, then sear for maximum flavour. The smell when it hits the pan is wickedly good! The Filling base starts with sautéed garlic and onion (flavour, flavour, flavour), then we mix in refried beans, stir in corn and the chopped chicken. As it simmers away, the generous amount of seasoning on the chicken will seep into the sauce, flavouring it with all those tasty Enchilada flavours!
↑↑↑Note the thick, juicy texture of the filling that’s going to be generously stuffed inside our enchiladas!
3. Rolling and assembly
It’s best to cool the Filling slightly so it thickens up a bit, making it easier to roll up. Also, I can never resist adding a little (or big 😂) sprinkle of cheese before rolling it up! But if you’re watching your calories, feel free to skip it. 🙂 TIP: Add a little smear of sauce in the pan so the enchiladas don’t slip and slide as you place them in.🙌🏻
Pop it in the oven to bake for just 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the whole thing is bubbly and golden….
To freeze fully assembled chicken enchiladas, cool the sauce and the rolled up enchiladas completely, THEN assemble. Reason: Tortillas absorb less sauce when both are cold. Bake from frozen – The enchiladas can be baked from frozen. If assembled separately, I thaw the sauce (quick zap in the microwave does the trick), pour it over the frozen enchiladas sprinkle with cheese then pop it in the oven.
What to serve with Enchiladas
If you want to go all out, serve your Enchiladas with sour cream, Guacamole or Avocado Sauce, and/or Pico de Gallo (tomato salsa) to dollop on top. Pico de Gallo is also a good side dish to add to more vegetables into the meal. Another firm favourite is Cucumber Salad with Herb & Garlic Dressing – it’s terrifically refreshing so it’s a great contrast to the cosy cheesy Enchilada flavours! Otherwise, try this Chipotle Lime Roasted Cauliflower – very on theme with Mexican-esque flavours. – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Mexican Mania
I like my Mexican food loaded with BIG flavours!
Life of Dozer
Karma in action after I teased Dozer by showing him a Strawberry Custard Tart I made…..(scroll down to see what happened 😭)
