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Homemade Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Cheesy Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Mary
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

Delicious and easy homemade chicken enchiladas smothered in a creamy cheesy sauce, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner with tender shredded chicken, warm spices, and a melty cheese topping baked to golden perfection.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Filling

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained

Cheesy Sauce

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Assembly

  • 8 medium flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for the sauce)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the enchiladas.
  2. Cook Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute to release their flavors. Add diced tomatoes and shredded chicken, stirring well. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through, then remove from heat.
  3. Make Cheesy Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cook for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth and melted.
  4. Assemble Enchiladas: Spread 1/2 cup of the cheesy sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, roll them tightly, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
  5. Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining cheesy sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle the top with the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm for a delicious and comforting meal.

Notes

  • For convenience, substitute rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.
  • Add a diced jalapeño to the onion mixture for extra heat and spice.
  • Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for a gluten-free option.