Hello friends! Today, I’m sharing my family’s all-time favorite fast and easy rotisserie chicken enchilada recipe.
I have made this yummy recipe countless times for our friends & family. These enchiladas are always well-received and quickly devoured.
This recipe is especially perfect for a weeknight dinner when you are short on time. They are that simple!
But when you do have more time, it is totally customizable.
You can improve the nutritional value by adding your favorite fillings or making the enchilada sauce from scratch.
I know that your family will love this recipe too!
Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas
Who doesn’t love an easy recipe? To make this recipe faster and one step easier, I use a rotisserie chicken.
Simply remove the meat, cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, and toss it in the mix.
I buy a pack of pre-shredded rotisserie chicken to speed things up even further. Many grocery stores, as well as Costco, sell this in the deli area.
They do cost more, but if you are busy, maybe working full-time and wrangling kids, it can be a lifesaver.
You can also make your own enchilada sauce from scratch to make a healthier version. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
FAQ
Below are answers to our most common enchilada questions.
Originating in Mexico, enchiladas are flour or corn tortillas rolled, filled, and covered with a savory sauce.
They are commonly filled with a mixture of ingredients, which may include meats, vegetables, beans, potatoes, and cheeses.
The main difference between enchiladas and burritos is that enchiladas are typically made with corn tortillas, and burritos are made with flour.
Another distinction between the two is that you eat enchiladas with a fork. Enchiladas are covered in sauce and a bit messy. Burritos can be held in your hand like a taco.
To avoid soggy enchiladas, do not cover them in excessive enchilada sauce before putting them in the oven. This allows the heat to crisp them up during cooking. Also, allow them to cook uncovered for all or part of the baking time.
If you prefer super crisp enchiladas, you can fry tortillas briefly in oil before filling them. In a skillet over medium-high heat, using a little oil, fry for approximately 10 seconds per side until they start to get golden brown and crisp.
If you follow this recipe, your enchiladas will not be soggy.
To make enchiladas ahead of time, fill and wrap them, but do not top them with sauce or cheese. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When you are ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, top with sauce and cheese, and dot with sour cream. Then bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown, bubbly, and cooked through.
You can reheat enchiladas in the microwave, in a toaster, or regular oven. There will be slightly different results with each.
Use the microwave if you prefer a tender tortilla texture with quicker results.
To achieve a slightly crisp or chewy texture, use an oven. Put the enchiladas in an oven-safe baking dish and bake for 10-20 minutes. To retain more softness, you can also cover for the first 10 minutes with aluminum foil, then uncover for 5-10 minutes.
To freeze enchiladas, simply cover them tightly with a layer of plastic wrap, then again with aluminum foil.
Freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake, remove the foil and plastic wrap. Cover again with the aluminum foil and bake them for 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an extra 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
Enchilada Substitutions
It is easy to make this recipe healthier by changing a few ingredients. To increase the nutritional value, try these alternatives.
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
You can use homemade enchiladas sauce versus using a canned sauce.
Try this enchilada sauce recipe. It makes about the same amount as a 19 oz. can, and it gets high ratings.
Add Vegetables
Try adding your favorite fresh vegetables to the mix; fresh onions, sliced red, green, poblano peppers, or spinach would be delicious additions.
Switch up your protein
Cook your own fresh diced chicken breast to replace the prepared rotisserie chicken.
I typically make these enchiladas with chicken, but they are delicious with ground beef too. You might also try shredded beef, carnitas, or turkey.
Gluten-free Enchiladas
You can use gluten-free tortillas, corn, or flour to make this a gluten-friendly meal. Also, make your own sauce, but use gluten-free flour in the recipe.
Adding More Flavor to Enchiladas
To boost the flavor varieties or heat, try these yummy additions.
Mexican Spice
Add more heat to this dish with your favorite seasonings.
You can also spice these babies up as much as your little heart desires. Add a bit of red cayenne pepper, chipotle sauce, adobo sauce, spices, or a Mexican hot sauce.
Enchilada Add-ins
Add more fresh vegetables, as I mentioned above. This will add lots of authentic Mexican flavor.
Enchilada Garnishes
I love to top the enchiladas with all of my favorites; these include jalapeño, cilantro, diced fresh tomatoes, sour cream, and more cheese.
Enchiladas Toppings
Here’s my favorite part, topping my enchiladas! I love making them tasty and pretty too. Below are my go-to toppings.
Cilantro
Diced Avocado
Sliced radishes
Guacamole
Sliced Jalapeños
Pickled Jalapeños
Sliced Green Onions
Chopped Red Onion
Diced Tomatoes
Pico de Gallo
More Mexican-blend Cheese
Crumbled Cotija Cheese
Mexican Crema
Lime wedges
Lettuce
Salsa
What to serve with Enchiladas
You can serve enchiladas with so much goodness!
Below are common American ideas, but I am certain the list is much longer if you are from Mexico!
Refried beans
Black beans
Chips and Salsa
Mexican Rice
Mexican Corn
Here are additional sides and appetizers to serve with your chicken enchiladas.
Popular Mexican Recipes
Chunky Guacamole
How to Make Enchiladas
Without further ado, here is the easy-peasy recipe. You will likely memorize it. It’s that easy! Enjoy.
Print
Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This is a delicious, easy, and quick family weeknight dinner. Kids love it! You can use a canned enchilada sauce or make one from scratch. Add as many toppings as you like.
Ingredients
2 cups Mexican-blend cheese, shredded, divided
1 can (19 oz.) red enchilada sauce
1 can (4 oz. each) chopped green chiles
1 cup sour cream, divided
1 tsp ground cumin
4 cups cooked chicken, one rotisserie chicken, shredded
12 – 8 inch flour tortillas
Oil (I use avocado oil)
Toppings, optional (tomatoes, guacamole, cilantro, green onions, avocado, etc.)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a large bowl, add 1 cup cheese, 1/2 of the can (10 oz) of enchilada sauce, all of the chiles, 1/2 cup of sour cream, all sugar, and cumin. Stir to combine. Next, toss in the cooked chicken and stir.
Fill each tortilla with 1/3 cup of filling. Roll, and place seam-side down in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Repeat the process until all ingredients have been used.
Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the enchiladas, dot with the remaining sour cream, followed by the rest of the cheese.
Bake uncovered in a 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until enchiladas are cooked through, golden, the tortillas are slightly crispy, and sauce is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and serve while warm. Top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
We prefer a higher filling to tortilla ratio. So I am very generous when I add my filling. If I make this for 2-4 people, I use approximately 3/4 cups for each tortilla until the filling runs out.
If you are feeding more than 4 people, measure 1/3 cup; you will get more enchiladas out of the recipe.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days, or freeze up to 3 months. If freezing them, let the enchiladas thaw in your refrigerator for 24 hours, then bake as directed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: easy chicken enchilada recipe, chicken enchilada recipe, chicken enchiladas, easy chicken enchiladas, enchiladas
Enjoy our family’s personal quick-to-make weeknight favorite! Let me know if you try it!
xo,
Cindy
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Always been my fav at the cabin.
That makes me happy! Thanks, Zack.😊
This is an excellent recipe! Fast & easy. We gobbled it up. I’ll be putting this in regular rotation. Thanks
★★★★★
Yay!! Enjoy. 😊
These were delicious & very easy to make! We loved them. Thanks!
★★★★★
Thanks, Dani! So glad you enjoyed it. ☺️