Homemade Green Chicken Enchiladas

I’ve been living off these Homemade Green Chicken Enchiladas ever since I first came across the recipe. They’re so easy to make and a great way to use leftover chicken. More importantly, they’re super scrumptious.

The enchilada sauce adds the green color and a tangy flavor. Make them mild to hot depending on your pain tolerance, and they taste just as fantastic the next day as leftovers.

What a great way to use leftover chicken. Add to that some Monterey Jack cheese, diced green chilies, a couple spices, and wow.

It’s dinner time at my house. I can smell the oregano and cumin now smothered in that green enchilada sauce.

So…let’s talk turkey…no, I mean chicken enchiladas

This is a great recipe for leftover turkey, too, just sayin’. Today, though, let’s focus on the chicken. Shred the chicken up big or small, however you like it. 

Mix the chicken with some of the cheese, a can of diced green chilies, oregano, and cumin. I love cumin in my food. Set this bowl close to your stove, we’re starting a work station. 

Next, have your 13 x 9″ baking dish out and an 8″ sauce pan. If you don’t have an 8″, the sauce pan should be just a bit bigger than your tortillas so they can be submerged in the sauce. 

Ok, so put about half a cup of your enchilada sauce in the bottom of your baking dish and place it right next to your stove.

You also want to pour some enchilada sauce in the sauce pan to about 1/2 – 3/4 full.

Just eye-ball it and turn the stove on low-medium. We’re going to soften the tortillas in the warm enchilada sauce. 

 

Time to assemble the enchiladas

Submerge one tortilla at a time in the enchilada sauce on the stove.

Using something like the wire grabbers as shown, heat the tortilla for just about 5 – 10 seconds, enough time to soften it.

Too long and the tortilla will tear when you remove it. They usually drip, so make sure your baking dish is close by.

Most corn tortillas are not soft enough to wrap around the filling without first softening them, plus now we get sauce inside AND out. Yummy!

Let the excess sauce drip back into the sauce pan, then place the tortilla in the baking dish.

Put about a 1/2 cup chicken filling down the center of the tortilla and roll, leaving the seam side down. 

You may need to add more enchilada sauce to the pan as you go. Once all the tortillas have been filled, pour any remaining sauce over tops of the enchiladas.

Did you say these were healthier?

As a side note, if I can make something a healthier way without loosing the flavor, I definitely will.

By using the enchilada sauce to soften the tortillas, we avoid having to use oil. That is one messy job, let me tell you. Paper towels everywhere and it changes the flavor a little. 

Second, we’re using corn tortillas, not flour.

Corn tortillas are considered better for you because they’re made with corn (duh!), which is a whole grain.

Whole grains are generally higher in fiber and have a variety of vitamins and minerals that make them a healthier choice than refined grains, like flour.

If you want to know more, check out this article I read by Prevention. 

I went the healthier route on my Homemade Cheese Enchiladas, too. They’re made with fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese. I don’t even like cottage cheese, but I LOVE these enchiladas.

Enough of that, let’s get back to cooking. 

Can I make Homemade Green Chicken Enchiladas ahead of time?

Yes, I’m so glad you asked. These are great for making before you need them.

Once all the tortillas have been filled, cover the dish with foil and either bake them, or put them in the refrigerator until you need them. 

Once you’re ready to bake them, preheat the oven to 350°. If you just made them, bake them for 20 minutes, but if refrigerated, bake them 30 minutes.

Let’s make them a little cheesier, eh? Sprinkle that last cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the enchiladas and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes or until the cheese looks good and melted. 

That’s it, time to eat.

Last thought, if you’re looking for an Easy Green Enchilada Sauce made from scratch, I’ve got you covered.

You can have your sauce in only 30 minutes. I even get into how to make it with roasted peppers, which takes a little longer, but worth it.

Homemade Green Chicken Enchiladas

Homemade Green Chicken Enchiladas go great with rice and beans, but how about an appetizer? Try these fantastic Mexican Bruschetta and a serving of Lime Queso Salad to round out the meal.

Have a blessed day and happy cooking. 

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