Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

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Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are the ultimate comfort food that deliver a fiesta of flavor in every bite. Loaded with shredded chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, and layers of gooey cheese, they’re a crowd-pleasing dinner that never goes out of style. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping ahead for a casual gathering, this dish comes together with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

These enchiladas are incredibly versatile—you can use rotisserie chicken to save time, make them ahead, or even freeze them for later. The balance of tangy sauce and melted cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla is pure magic. Serve with a side of rice, beans, or a fresh avocado salad and you’ve got a weeknight meal everyone will be requesting again.

What Kind of Tortillas Should I Use?

Corn tortillas give that classic enchilada texture and flavor, but flour tortillas are easier to roll and hold together better if you plan to freeze. If using corn tortillas, warm them slightly to prevent cracking when rolling.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick)
• 6 to 8 flour or corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Diced green onions for topping (optional)

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How To Make the Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Step 1: Make the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, sour cream, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder if using. Mix until evenly blended.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to make them more pliable, especially if using corn tortillas.

Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas

Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Step 4: Add Sauce and Cheese

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.

Step 5: Bake

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Serve

Top with fresh cilantro and green onions if desired. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

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Serving and Storing Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

These enchiladas are best served hot out of the oven, but leftovers reheat beautifully. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also freeze assembled, unbaked enchiladas. Just cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make these spicier?

Add diced jalapeños to the filling or use a spicy enchilada sauce for an extra kick.

Can I use green enchilada sauce instead?

Absolutely! Green enchilada sauce offers a tangier flavor and works beautifully with chicken.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the enchiladas a day in advance and refrigerate. Add sauce and cheese just before baking.

What cheese works best?

A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack melts beautifully and adds flavor, but you can also try pepper jack for spice or a Mexican blend.

What sides go well with this?

Try serving with Spanish rice, refried beans, avocado salad, or a corn and black bean salsa.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Use dairy-free cheese and sour cream alternatives. Also check that your enchilada sauce is dairy-free.

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Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you’re craving more hearty and cheesy meals, you’ll love these other recipes from Nina Dishes:

• Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts for a cozy and comforting dinner.
• Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavor-packed crowd-pleaser.
• Creamy Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is perfect for lazy days.
• One Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles makes cleanup a breeze.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole brings all the flavors of the classic dish in an easy bake.

Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can whip up a cheesy Mexican classic any time.

Tried it? Let me know how your enchiladas turned out in the comments! Did you go spicy or keep it mild? Any twists you added?

I always enjoy hearing your creative spins on these recipes. Questions and feedback are welcome too—let’s make dinner delicious together.

More daily recipe inspiration on my Pinterest: Nina Dishes on Pinterest

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