What is the secret to good enchiladas?

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll . This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

How do you cook real good chicken enchiladas?

Remove enchiladas tray from box and remove film. Leave enchiladas in tray. Place tray on center rack in oven on an oven-proof sheet pan. Bake for 27-29 minutes .

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered?

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Do you put enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan?

Spread about 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking and to fully saturate the enchiladas . Once the tortillas are stuffed and rolled, place them in the dish with the seam side down. Top with cheese and 2 to 3 cups of sauce.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour?

Enchiladas are laden with sauce and fillings, and you need a tortilla that will hold up to all the moisture, so you should always opt for corn over flour .

Do I need to cover my enchiladas in the oven?

Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered , until cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving. Serve and enjoy!

How do you bake enchiladas so they aren't soggy?

Adding your tortillas intoan already-warm pan instead of a cold one will help them start cooking and getting crispy right away, rather than risking sogginess. Make sure that you lightly grease your dish, which will help keep the tortillas from sticking to the pan.

How long to bake enchiladas at 350 degrees?

Pour the enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas and top with any remaining meat or cheese. Bake in the preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes .

Why do my enchiladas come out soggy?

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking . This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

How do you know when enchiladas are done baking?

Top with 10 ounces of cheese (or however much cheese you desire) and two cups green sauce. I usually use two cups sauce for eight enchiladas. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and cheese is beginning to brown , about 20 to 25 minutes.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better?

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano , etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

What is the difference between enchilada sauce and red sauce?

The main difference is that red sauce is made from dried red chile peppers instead of green peppers , and the spices used are sometimes slightly different.

What are the best tortillas to use for enchiladas?

Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but flour tortillas also work. Choose 7- or 8-inch flour tortillas or 6-inch corn tortillas —they fit best in most pans. Recipes vary, but for a 3-quart rectangular casserole dish, you will need about eight flour or corn tortillas.

How do you make enchiladas without falling apart?

To make enchiladas, get some oil in a skillet or frying pan, get it hot (but not smoking hot), and heat the tortilla in the hot oil for a few seconds each side. Put the tortilla in a plate and remove the excess oil with a paper napkin. If you do this, when you roll the enchiladas the tortilla will not break.

Chicken Enchiladas With Red Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published: May 4, 2021 · Modified: Jun 10, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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These chicken enchiladas with red sauce are the best because we make our own version of the popular Mexican enchilada sauce!

Chicken Enchiladas With Red Sauce Recipe (1)

Original recipe: February 2019 | Updated: May 2021

Why This Recipe Works

Chicken Enchiladas are one of those dinners that everyone loves. This popular Mexican dish is loved and devoured by all, whether kid, adult, Mexican, American or any other variety of human.

It is such a staple dinner and I don’t know anyone who loves to cook who does not have a go-to chicken enchilada recipe. I have been perfecting this recipe for years and absolutely love this dish. It is one of my favorite dinners to make for guests, as it always gets rave reviews.

I recently tweaked the recipe even further by using homemade enchilada sauce, which basically transforms these into the best chicken enchiladas on planet Earth. No lie. Make them and see for yourself!

Recipe Ingredients

Jalapeno peppers – The peppers add a nice added zing to the recipe, but if you prefer a milder meal omit them entirely.

Chicken– Save time by pulling meat straight from a Rotisserie chicken. Alternative: Bake 2 large chicken breasts at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes until cooked through; shred using two forks. Either way, add shredded, fully cooked chicken to this recipe.

Green chiles – Omit chiles for a milder end result.

Tortillas – My personal preference is to use flour tortillas for this recipe, but corn tortillas taste great, too. Whichever route you go, use fresh, soft tortillas.

Enchilada sauce– A robust, savory red sauce is the star in this recipe so purchase a quality variety or even better, make a batch ofHomemade Enchilada Sauce.

Toppings –Green onions, red onions, tomatoes, avocados, sour cream, lime wedges, tortilla strips, salsa or cilantro.

Chicken Enchiladas With Red Sauce Recipe (2)

How To Make Chicken Enchiladas With Red Sauce

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeño peppers (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until veggies are soft and fragrant.

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Step 2

In a medium bowl combine the shredded chicken, green chiles, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix well and add the ingredients to the skillet. Stir until warmed through, about 3 minutes.

Step 3

Pour half of the enchilada sauce evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Divide the chicken mixture from the skillet between the tortillas in a small strip down the center of each.

Step 4

Coat the rolled tortillas evenly with the remaining enchilada sauce and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Top with additional toppings of choice and serve warm!

Recipe Notes

Use fresh ingredients! This plays a huge role in the success of this recipe. Make sure your tortillas are soft and that your veggies are bright and fresh.
All you need is an extra 15 minutes to make your own Enchilada Sauce. When I started doing this, these enchiladas reached a WHOLE new level of delicious. It is SO worth the extra few minutes of effort!
These enchiladas can definitely be made ahead of time, kept in the fridge (covered) overnight and baked the following day.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the skillet (along with the onion and garlic, etc) for an added punch of flavor.

Can You Freeze Enchilada Sauce

If you find yourself with leftover sauce, you might be wondering if you can freeze it. Click over for all the info you’ll need about how to freeze enchilada sauce.

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FAQ About Chicken Enchiladas

Can chicken enchiladas be frozen?

Chicken enchiladas are the perfect meal to bake, then freeze for later. Allow to cool after baking, store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 4 months for best results.

Are chicken enchiladas healthy?

A standard batch of chicken enchiladas are not considered to be a “healthy” recipe due to the high carbs and fat found in the cheese and toppings. To slim down the recipe, replace flour tortillas with corn and cut the amount of cheese used in the recipe in half.

What goes with chicken enchiladas?

Some side dish options that go well with chicken enchiladas include Spanish rice, refried beans or chips and salsa or guacamole.

How to make chicken enchiladas?

Chicken enchiladas are made by rolling seasoned chicken in flour tortillas, then lining them up in a pan. Often the rolled tortillas are sandwiched by layers of enchilada sauce and cheese. They are then baked in the oven until warmed through and bubbly.

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Uses for Rotisserie Chicken Meat

There are endless possibilities for ways to use Rotisserie chicken meat. Here are a few ideas after you get these enchiladas made!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Here are a few of my all-time favorite Mexican recipes that get made in my home A LOT!

25 delicious Cinco de Mayo dessert recipes
Easy Baked Churros
Fresh Spicy Salsa
Chicken Jalapeno Dip
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Margaritas
7-Layer Taco Dip

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