EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (2025)

EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (1)

The BEST Chicken Enchilada Recipe! Shredded chicken rolled up in a soft, flour tortilla with cheese and all of your favorite fillings and toppings and smothered with enchilada sauce!

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The BEST Chicken Enchilada Recipe! Shredded chicken rolled up in a soft, flour tortilla with cheese and all of your favorite fillings and toppings and smothered with enchilada sauce! A family favorite homemade recipe!

Weeknights are crazy, that’s why we love easy weeknight dinner ideas like this yummy enchilada recipe. Some of our other favorites are our Taco Casserole Bake and our Amazing Baked Mac and Cheese! (Add these to your Easy Dinner Recipe Book!)

EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (2)

This is the BEST Chicken Enchilada Recipe!

I’m a huge lover of Mexican food and homemade chicken enchiladas are a family weeknight dinner favorite in my home! Nothing fills the house with delicious smells that get everyone’s mouths watering like this chicken enchilada recipe.

Chicken enchiladas are so easy to make. That’s why it’s one of my favorite go-to weeknight meals.

The best thing about this chicken enchilada recipe is that if you make more than you need, you can freeze and use the filling another day! This is a great meal to batch make! I always make more filling than I think we’ll need and am guaranteed someone will finish off the leftovers the next day!

QUICK NOTE: Want to make this super easy? Buy a rotisserie chicken and use that for your shredded chicken! The chicken is super moist and juicy and saves you a step from having to cook the chicken!

EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (3)

Best Chicken Enchilada Recipe Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas, soft shell size – traditionally, corn tortillas are used, but I prefer flour. Feel free to use either. We use between a 5-8 inch tortilla. You could also use gluten-free tortillas to make it a gluten-free dinner.
  • 2.5 cups shredded chicken – I typically will grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery and shred it (save some prep time!) You can also use leftover baked chicken breasts (this is a terrific recipe for leftovers).
  • 1/2 cup black beans
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1 10oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles – you can use fresh diced tomoatoes as well, but I like to add in green chiles for a little extra kick)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 small cans red enchilada sauce – feel free to use a homemade enchilada sauce if you have a favorite recipe. I prefer a canned sauce to keep the recipe quick and easy.
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • Cilantro, for garnish
  • Optional: Homemade Queso Dip &Homemade Salsa Recipe
  • Other Enchilada Filling Variations / Add-Ins – avocado, cilantro, corn, jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, guacamole, homemade salsa or our corn salsa are all delicious

Feel free to customize! Leave out what you don’t like and add in anything that sounds yummy! You cannot go wrong!

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices.
  3. Divide the cheese evenly into 2 separate bowls. Set one bowl of cheese to the side, you will use it for the toppings once all the enchiladas are assembled.
  4. Pour 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 pan and spread it evenly.
  5. Pour 1 can of enchilada sauce into a shallow bowl. Dip a tortilla in the enchilada sauce, covering both sides with the sauce. Let the excess sauce drip off.
  6. Place about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture in the middle of the tortilla and top with cheese. Roll tortilla around the chicken mixture and place seam side up in the baking dish.
  7. Assemble the remaining enchiladas and place them all in the 9×13 pan. Top enchiladas with remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with chopped cilantro.
  9. Serve warm! Enjoy with more cilantro, sour cream, salsa, Spanish Rice, and avocado.
EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (4)

Tips & Variations

  • Protein – Change up the protein. Add ground beef, pulled pork, carnitas, or go meatless using a vegetarian meatless crumble.
  • Bean – Add additional beans like white beans. You can even use chickpeas or lentils.
  • Sauce – Try a green enchilada sauce to kick up the heat a bit or try a white enchilada sauce to give more of a cheese taste. There’s a lot you can do to put your own spin on classic chicken enchiladas. Instead of using red enchilada sauce, try a green enchilada sauce to kick up the heat a bit or try a white enchilada sauce that is deliciously creamy and cheesy.
  • Fillings – There are so many different fillings you could use for making your authentic chicken enchiladas. If you prefer more veggies, red and yellow bell peppers are the perfect sweet and crunchy addition to this recipe.

How do I make my enchiladas crispy?

I often hear that people love chicken enchiladas from their favorite Mexican restaurant… But when they try to make enchiladas at home, they turn out gooey and soggy. Here are my top tips for making crispy chicken enchiladas:

  • Don’t soak the tortillas in the enchilada sauce for too long and make sure the excess drips off. If the flour tortillas absorb too much moisture, they will break down.
  • When you pour the remaining enchilada sauce on top of your assembled chicken enchiladas, leave the edges exposed. Only pour the sauce down the middle so the ends of the tortillas cook more.
  • You could consider using corn tortillas instead of flour ones. These are more resistant to moisture from the sauce.
  • After baking your chicken enchiladas in the oven for 20 minutes, put them under the broiler for a few more minutes. This will ensure the top does nice and crispy!

Proper Storage

  • Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make chicken enchiladas in the Crockpot

Chicken enchiladas can also be made in your crockpot or instant pot if you want your meal to be ready and waiting when you get home. Simply put all the ingredients, aside from the tortillas, into your crock pot and cook on low. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble your chicken enchiladas and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

What is the secret to good enchiladas?

– Dipping the tortillas in the enchilada sauce is key to good enchiladas
– Don’t over stuff the tortillas
– Don’t use too much sauce

How to keep enchiladas from getting soggy

While we don’t do this in our recipe, if you really want to make sure your enchiladas don’t get soggy, quickly fry them for about 10 seconds on each side just until it starts to get a little bit crispy.

Do you cover enchiladas when baking?

If you find the cheese is browning too fast, you can cover them towards the end of baking with tin foil.

What to Serve with Enchiladas

  • Honey Butter Skillet Corn
  • Homemade Olive Garden Salad
  • Spanish Rice
  • Elote (Mexican Street Corn on the Cob)
EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (6)

More Great Dinner Recipes

  • Tater Tot Casserole
  • Ground Beef Taco Ring
  • Walking Tacos
  • Instant Pot Lasagna
  • Cauliflower Pizza
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice
  • Baked Burritos
  • Sheet Pan Fajitas

4.94 from 94 votes

EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (7)

Best Chicken Enchiladas

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 8

The BEST Chicken Enchilada Recipe! Shredded chicken rolled up in a soft, flour tortilla with cheese and all of your favorite fillings and toppings and smothered with enchilada sauce!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas soft shell size
  • 2.5 cups shredded chicken I love to buy a rotisserie chicken and shred that up!
  • ½ cup black beans
  • ½ cup corn
  • 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 2 small cans red enchilada sauce
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese shredded , divided
  • Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • In a large bowl mix together chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices.

  • Divide cheese evenly into 2 separate bowls. Set one bowl of cheese to the side, you will use it for topping once all the enchiladas are assembled.

  • Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 pan and spread evenly.

  • Pour 1 can of enchilada sauce into a shallow bowl. Dip a tortilla in the enchilada sauce, covering both sides with sauce. Let the excess drip off. Place about 1/3 cup chicken mixture in the middle of the tortilla and top with cheese. Roll tortilla around the chicken mixture and place seam side up in the baking dish.

  • Assemble remaining enchiladas and place them all in the 9×13 pan. Top enchiladas with remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle on the remaining cheese.

  • Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with chopped cilantro.

  • Serve warm! Enjoy with more cilantro, sour cream, salsa, tomato and avocado.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:

  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 3mg

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EASY Chicken Enchilada Recipe! 30 MINUTE DINNER! (2025)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

How do you cook real good chicken enchiladas? ›

Cooking Instructions: Microwave Oven: Remove Enchiladas tray from box. Leave Enchiladas wrapped in film and poke holes to ventilate. Place tray in microwave & heat on high for 3:30 to 4:30 min.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

What is the best melting cheese for enchiladas? ›

Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that melts easily and adds a smooth texture to the enchiladas.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better? ›

There's no need to grab everything in your spice cabinet to improve the taste: All you'll need is the combined power of equal parts butter and flour. This mighty duo is known as a roux, and is a well-known tool in the kitchen.

Should enchiladas be covered when baking? ›

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside. Transfer the baking dish to a wire baking rack. Serve. Serve the enchiladas immediately while they're nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings.

How do you keep enchiladas from getting mushy? ›

Tips for keeping your flour tortillas from getting soggy in enchiladas
  1. Preheat your pan. Try preheating your enchilada pan in the oven before you start cooking. ...
  2. Pre-fry your tortillas. ...
  3. Put the sauce on top, not on the bottom. ...
  4. Bake the enchiladas before adding sauce. ...
  5. Put your enchiladas under the broiler.
Jun 25, 2021

Should I put foil over my enchiladas? ›

Cover with foil, non-stick dull side facing the food. Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

What comes in an enchilada kit? ›

8 Soft Corn and Wheat Tortillas, 1 Tomato cooking sauce, 1 Seasoning Mix for Enchiladas. Our Old El Paso Cheesy Baked Enchilada kit is a winner for the whole family, containing wraps, tomato sauce and a seasoning mix.

What comes on a enchilada plate? ›

Two enchiladas, cheese or choice of one meat and sauce, served with rice and beans.

What is the most popular type of enchiladas? ›

Chicken enchiladas might just be the most popular type of enchiladas. Even less adventurous eaters usually feel comfortable trying a dish centered around chicken and cheese. Classic chicken enchiladas use shredded or diced pre-cooked chicken as a filling.

What is a good substitute for tortillas in enchiladas? ›

Thinly sliced and baked eggplant can serve as a low-carb, nutrient-dense substitute for tortillas. They provide a similar texture and soak up the enchilada sauce, making for a delicious and healthier alternative. Opt for whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour ones.

Do Mexicans prefer flour or corn? ›

Not only is corn used frequently in Mexican dishes, but it has also been around much longer than flour tortillas making them the ideal choice if authenticity is your goal.

How to keep enchiladas from getting hard on the bottom? ›

Some recipes suggest spreading a little sauce (½ cup for a 3-quart baking dish) on the bottom of the pan before adding enchiladas. This keeps the tortillas from sticking to the pan or getting tough on the bottom.

How to stop enchiladas from being soggy? ›

According to Kitchen Seer, classic enchiladas should be fried a little before stuffing and baking. This toughens up an otherwise soft tortilla which would become drenched in whatever sauce is used.

Should you cover enchiladas when you bake them? ›

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside. Transfer the baking dish to a wire baking rack. Serve. Serve the enchiladas immediately while they're nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings.

How do you make enchiladas crispy and not soggy? ›

Bake the enchiladas before adding sauce

Another thing you can try is baking your enchiladas after filling them until the tortillas are just be-ginning to get brown and starting to crisp. Then, add your cheese and sauce on top and bake them again until the cheese is melted.

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