The Ultimate Comfort Best Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

Best Green Chicken Enchiladas

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Preparation time:35 Mins

Cooking time:60 Mins

Servings:8 Enchiladas (Serves 4)

Instructions:

• Cook the Chicken: Place chicken, 3 cups of broth, onion, smashed garlic, and 1 tsp salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken registers 165°F (74°C), about 18 20 minutes. Remove chicken; shred finely. Reserve the cooking liquid.
• Roast the Sauce Vegetables: Preheat broiler. Toss tomatillos, jalapeño, and unpeeled garlic cloves onto a baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until skins are blackened and blistered (about 8 10 minutes).
• Prepare the Tomatillo Sauce: Peel the roasted garlic. Combine roasted vegetables, fresh cilantro, cumin, and 1 cup of reserved chicken broth in a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
• Finish the Sauce: In a clean saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the blended tomatillo mixture until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the crema/sour cream. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• Soften Tortillas: Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Quickly dip each tortilla (about 10 seconds per side) until pliable but not crispy. Drain briefly on paper towels.
• Assemble the Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Dip each softened tortilla briefly into the remaining sauce to coat lightly. Lay a tortilla flat, place a line of shredded chicken down the centre, sprinkle lightly with about 1/2 cup of cheese, and roll tightly. Place seam side down in the dish.
• Bake and Serve: Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle the remaining cheese generously over the top. Bake for 20 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling vigorously. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	585 calories
Fat	30g
Fiber	4g

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	Mexican

Unveiling the Secret to Truly Authentic Chicken Enchiladas

There is something inherently magical about a tray of deeply flavourful, bubbly, and perfectly sauced enchiladas emerging from the oven. They signal comfort, celebration, and the undeniable satisfaction of a home cooked meal done right.

For many, the benchmark of true Mexican inspired cuisine lies in achieving the perfect Chicken Enchiladas Recipe . Forget the sometimes bland experience of jarred sauces; we are diving deep into creating a dish where every component sings, from the tender, flavour packed filling to the vibrant, slightly smoky coating.

This journey isn't just about following steps; it’s about understanding the alchemy that turns simple ingredients into something truly unforgettable.

Why This Roasted Tomatillo Sauce Elevates Your Dinner Game

The real magic separating a good batch of Chicken Enchiladas from the Best Chicken Enchiladas is, without question, the sauce. While many recipes opt for expediency, we are dedicating ourselves to crafting a superior Homemade Enchilada Sauce .

Our choice today is a creamy, roasted tomatillo sauce a luscious green sauce that offers brightness, acidity, and a gentle, earthy smokiness that blankets the chicken perfectly.

The Pursuit of Ultimate Comfort Food Perfection

When crafting comfort food, we seek texture and depth. This particular iteration leans into richness, achieving it not through heavy processed ingredients, but through meticulous roasting and the addition of rich crema .

The goal is an Easy Chicken Enchiladas experience that tastes artisanal. We want that moment when the fork sinks through the soft tortilla, past the tender chicken, and meets the thick, bubbling sauce that’s perfection achieved.

Setting the Stage: What Makes These Enchiladas Unforgettable

Our blueprint involves slow simmering the chicken in aromatic broth, ensuring the protein remains incredibly moist and easy to work with for our Shredded Chicken Recipe . On top of that,, we aren't shy with the cheese, opting for Monterey Jack to ensure that glorious, satisfying pull.

This intentional focus on moisture retention in the filling provides a wonderful contrast to the tanginess of the tomatillo base.

Beyond the Jar: The Depth of Homemade Flavor Profile

A commercially prepared sauce often lacks the dynamic range of flavour that slow roasting provides. By taking the time to blister the tomatillos, jalapeños, and garlic under the broiler, we caramelize their sugars, mute some of the raw sharpness, and introduce a layer of foundational smokiness.

When blended with fresh cilantro and ground cumin, the result is a vibrant Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce that stands miles apart from any bottled alternative.

Assembling the Essential Components for Supreme Chicken Enchiladas

Before we dive into the cooking process, understanding the three core pillars of this dish is key: the rich filling, the complex sauce, and the structure provided by the tortillas.

Mastering the creation of a filling we’ll use 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts simmered gently in broth ensures that when you shred it, every strand carries moisture and flavour.

Detailed Breakdown: Filling, Sauce, and Assembly Needs

The filling needs to be savoury but not overly wet, as too much moisture will compromise the rolling process. For the sauce, the use of 1 lb of fresh tomatillos forms the backbone, which we enhance significantly by creating a simple roux using 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour.

This roux acts as the thickener, allowing us to incorporate Mexican Crema smoothly, moving us toward a Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas level of richness without using cream cheese directly. We need about 1.5 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese to crown our creation.

Tool Checklist: Essential Kitchenware for Success

While this isn't an overly complicated dish, a few tools will make the process seamless. A large saucepan or Dutch oven is needed for cooking the chicken and simmering the final sauce.

Crucially, a high speed blender is highly recommended to ensure the roasted vegetables break down completely into that silky green mixture. Finally, a 9x13 inch baking dish is required for that perfect Chicken Enchiladas Casserole presentation.

The Debate Settled: Corn Versus Flour Tortilla Selection

For true authenticity and the best flavour absorption, corn tortillas are the superior choice for Chicken Enchiladas . However, corn tortillas must be softened correctly to avoid cracking upon rolling.

While some prefer a simple microwave warming, the best method involves a quick dip in hot oil to make them pliable and slightly seal the exterior, preparing them to soak up that glorious sauce without disintegrating in the oven.

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The Step-by-Step Method for Crafting Perfect Chicken Enchiladas

The process unfolds naturally: cook the protein, build the sauce base, prepare the structure, assemble, and bake. Dedicating time to each stage ensures the final product is cohesive and deeply satisfying. We will first focus on getting our chicken ready and then turn our attention to the vibrant, signature sauce.

Mastering the Creamy Roasted Tomatillo Sauce Technique

Building this sauce starts with heat. We take 1 lb of husked tomatillos, one jalapeño (seeds optional, depending on heat preference), and four unpeeled garlic cloves, and toss them onto a baking sheet.

The broiler ignites their skins, creating beautiful char marks that translate into smoky depth in the final blend. Once blistered, the garlic peels easily, and we combine these roasted elements in the blender with fresh cilantro, cumin, and about one cup of the reserved chicken broth the very liquid the chicken cooked in!

This broth adds necessary seasoning and body.

Preparing and Shredding the Tender Chicken Filling

As the vegetables roast, the chicken breasts (1.5 lbs) should be simmering gently with a quartered onion and three smashed garlic cloves in about three cups of broth. Once cooked through ( 165° F), we remove the chicken immediately.

While it’s still warm, use two forks to shred it finely. This warm shredding technique yields the most tender texture. Remember to save that flavourful broth; it’s gold for the sauce!

The Crucial Art of Dipping and Rolling Tortillas

Once the sauce is ready simmered gently after incorporating a butter flour roux and rich crema it’s time to prepare the carriers. Heat about a quarter cup of vegetable oil in a skillet. Dip each corn tortilla very briefly (no more than 10 seconds per side) until it becomes flexible.

This brief frying action seals the exterior, preventing it from turning completely mushy when bathed in sauce. We then dip the pliable tortilla directly into the remaining warm sauce before laying it flat, filling it with a line of shredded chicken and a dusting of Monterey Jack, and rolling it up tightly.

Baking for the Perfect Golden, Bubbly Finish

Arrange the rolled enchiladas snugly, seam side down, in your prepared 9x13 inch dish that already has a thin base layer of sauce. Cover generously with the remaining sauce, ensuring every seam is coated, and then blanket the top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 20 to 25 minutes. You are looking for aggressive bubbling around the edges and a beautifully melted, slightly golden brown cheese crust.

A short five minute rest after exiting the oven helps the structure set before serving.

Elevating Your Platter: Serving Suggestions and Garnishes

While the rich flavours of our Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce variation (if you swapped tomatillos for a cream base) or our signature green sauce are robust, a perfect presentation requires fresh contrast.

The key is adding bright, cool elements that cut through the richness of the cheese and sauce.

Creative Toppings to Complement Your Meal

A simple dusting of cotija cheese adds a salty, crumbly texture that plays wonderfully against the creamy interior. Thinly sliced avocado or a generous dollop of guacamole introduces healthy fat and cooling relief.

Don't underestimate the power of finely chopped white onion and perhaps a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for visual pop and aromatic lift.

Storage Solutions: Freezing and Reheating Leftovers

These freeze beautifully, making them excellent for meal prep! Assemble the Chicken Enchiladas Casserole completely, but do not bake it. Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to three months.

When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, adding about 10– 15 minutes to the baking time to account for the initial chill.

Ingredient Swaps for Dietary Adjustments

If you desire a slightly tangier profile resembling some versions of Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce but want to keep it green, you could skip the crema and use softened, blended goat cheese mixed with a little broth for a sharp, creamy texture instead.

For those seeking less dairy, use a cashew cream replacement stirred into the sauce at the end.

Pro Tips for Next Level Flavor Infusion

To truly push the flavour envelope, consider adding a dash of high quality smoked paprika when you blend the sauce for an added layer of complexity. On top of that,, for an ultra tender filling, poaching the chicken with a bay leaf and a small piece of orange peel adds a subtle citrus note that brightens the overall flavour profile, making your Chicken Enchiladas truly spectacular.