Lena Abraham is a freelance contributor with Delish, and was formerly Senior Food Editor, where she developed and styled recipes for video and photo, and also stayed on top of current food trends. She’s been working in the food industry for over 10 years, and will argue that the best fish tacos in the world are made in New York. Don’t @ her.
Originally a Mexican street food, enchiladas began simply as rolled tortillas dipped in chili sauce. As Mexican immigrants moved into Texas, they brought their culinary traditions with them, adapting them along the way. These people, known as Tejanos, are responsible for creating the Tex-Mex cuisine we know and love. Unlike typical Mexican food, Tex-Mex favors flour tortillas over corn, and is generous with the shredded cheese.
These enchiladas fall somewhere in between; they're definitely Tex-Mex at their core, but we went with corn tortillas in place of flour. (Go ahead and use flour if that's your preference though!) They may not be authentic by, well, anyone's standards, but they are quick, easy, filling, and delicious.
These enchiladas are a hearty meal on their own, but if you're serving a crowd, some elote or black beans would make for A+ sides. And, if you've got the time, upgrade them with your own homemade enchilada sauce!
Kept covered in the fridge, leftovers will last 3 to 5 days. Reheat in an oven heated to 350° F until warmed through.
Editor's Note: This introduction to this recipe was updated on March 31, 2021 to include more information about the dish.
Made these? Let us know how they went in the comment section below!
- Yields:
- 4 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 20 mins
- Total Time:
- 50 mins
- Cal/Serv:
- 956
Ingredients
- 1/2
yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 1
red bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
- 2
garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp.
neutral oil
- 1 tsp.
ground cumin
- 2
(10-oz.) cans or 20 oz. homemade Enchilada Sauce
- 8 oz.
crushed tomatoes
- 3 c.
cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 oz.
shredded Monterey Jack (about 2 c.), divided
- 8 oz.
shredded cheddar (about 2 c.), divided
- 1/4 c.
fresh chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
Kosher salt
- 12
(8”) corn or flour tortillas, slightly warmed
Sour cream, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
- Nutrition Information
- Per Serving (Serves 4)
- Calories956 Fat59 gSaturated fat27 gTrans fat1 gCholesterol189 mgSodium2148 mgCarbohydrates44 gFiber9 gSugar15 gProtein55 gVitamin D1 mcgCalcium911 mgIron4 mgPotassium701 mg
- Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Powered by
Directions
- Step 1Preheat oven to 350°. In a food processor, combine onion, pepper, and garlic. Process until pureed.
- Step 2In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add pureed vegetables and cook until softened, 5-8 minutes. Add cumin and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
- Step 3Stir in enchilada sauce and crushed tomatoes and cook over medium heat until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Remove ½ cup of this sauce to a small bowl and set aside.
- Step 4In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, 1 cup Monterey Jack, 1 cup cheddar, and ¼ cup chopped cilantro. Add 1 cup of sauce mixture and toss to combine; season with salt to taste.
- Step 5Transfer remaining sauce mixture to the bottom of a 9”x13” baking dish.
- Step 6Add about ⅔ cup chicken mixture to the center of 1 warmed tortilla. Roll up and place seam-side down on top of the sauce along one short side of the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas, placing each rolled enchilada next to the last to form a row that stretches the length of the baking dish.
- Step 7Spread the reserved ½ cup enchilada sauce on top of filled tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Step 8Bake enchiladas 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and melted. Top with cilantro and serve.