Hey, I’ve got something special for you today! One of my favorite comfort foods is white chicken enchiladas. They are creamy, cheesy, and a little bit tangy, which is the perfect mix to make you feel good and taste good. I remember the first time I made these enchiladas. It was a chilly fall night, and I had friends over for dinner. The smell of these tasty enchiladas filled the house while we drank hot cider. I could see how happy everyone was when I finally took them out of the oven. We ate them all up in seconds!
The rich white sauce that ties everything together is what makes these enchiladas stand out. Seeing gooey cheese bubbling over soft tortillas is like a divine sight for a comfort food meal. Put on your aprons and let’s get started making these delicious White Chicken Enchiladas!
What do White Chicken Enchiladas have?
To make this tasty dish, you only need a few key ingredients that work together to bring out their flavor. Let’s break it down:
The best part is the shredded chicken! You can buy rotisserie chicken for convenience, or you can boil and shred your own. It’s all about making things easier for you. I usually choose rotisserie because who doesn’t love a quick and tasty meal?
Flour tortillas are the traditional choice for a softer texture, but corn tortillas can work too if you like them better. I like flour tortillas because they are soft and can hold in all that good stuff!
Shallots or onions: These give the filling a little sweetness and depth. If you want a milder taste, you can use shallots. If you don’t have any, you can use good old yellow onions.
Green Chiles: Chopped canned green chiles add a little heat and real Southwestern flavor. Don’t forget to add them; they’re what makes the dish special.
Cream Cheese: So creamy and delicious! This ingredient makes the filling and sauce richer and holds everything together. Who can say no to its smooth texture?
Sour Cream: It provides a nice tang and creaminess to the dish. I usually use low-fat sour cream, but full-fat sour cream works just as well if you want to feel like you’re eating something rich.
Cheese: Of course we need cheese! For that ooey-gooey taste that enchiladas should have, I suggest a melting cheese like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend. Life is cheese!
Chicken broth: This is what gives the sauce its flavor and moisture. Store-bought low-sodium is fine, but homemade is better!
Garlic: You need to use fresh minced garlic because it adds depth and flavor. The smell of garlic cooking is also very nice.
I use salt, pepper, cumin, and a little cayenne to season the chicken filling. I also add some fresh cilantro to the top to make it look nice. It all comes together very well!
Are White Chicken Enchiladas Healthy?
Now let’s talk about the health issues. Are these tasty White Chicken Enchiladas healthy for you? Yes, with a few changes, they can fit into a healthy diet like most comfort foods.
Shredded chicken is a good source of lean protein. Chicken is a great way to get a lot of protein, which is important for building muscle and staying healthy.
Cheese: Cheese is high in calcium, but it can also be high in saturated fats. Choosing low-fat cheese can help you enjoy that creaminess without eating too many calories.
Sour Cream: You could use low-fat versions of this to cut down on calories, but it still has some good fats that keep you full.
Green Chiles: These tiny things have a lot of flavor but not a lot of calories. Also, they have a lot of vitamins A and C, which are good for the immune system.
I wouldn’t call White Chicken Enchiladas “health food,” but they do have a lot of good, tasty ingredients.
But like with everything else in life, moderation is important! These enchiladas are great for family dinners when you want to relax or when you just want to treat yourself a little.
List of Ingredients
To make these tasty White Chicken Enchiladas, you’ll need the following: This will feed about six people, so it’s great for a family meal or to have leftovers for lunch (if you can resist eating them all right away!).
– 2 cups of shredded, cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well!)
– 8 10-inch flour tortillas
– 1 medium shallot or onion, chopped very small – 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles (mild or hot, depending on what you like)
– 8 oz of cream cheese that has been softened
– 1 cup of sour cream (low-fat if you want)
– 2 cups of shredded cheese, like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend
– 1 cup of chicken broth (low-sodium if you can)
– 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) – 1 tsp ground cumin
– Add salt and pepper to taste. – Use cilantro to decorate.
How do you make white chicken enchiladas?
Okay, friends! Now it’s time to get our hands dirty and make these tasty enchiladas. If you follow my step-by-step guide, I promise you’ll have something that everyone will love!
1. **Preheat the Oven:** The first thing you need to do is set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the best temperature for baking those enchiladas because it lets them warm up and get all gooey.
2. **Get the Filling Ready:** Put the shredded chicken, diced shallot or onion, green chiles, softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese, minced garlic, ground cumin, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper in a big bowl. Mix everything together until it’s all well-coated and mixed. Take a moment to enjoy the creamy goodness because I promise it will only get better!
3. **Fill the Tortillas:** Put about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture in the middle of each tortilla. Fold in the sides and roll it up tightly, like a little burrito.
4. **Put in the Baking Dish:** Put a little chicken broth on the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish so that the food doesn’t stick. Put the tortillas with the filling seam-side down in the dish. Don’t worry if they’re tight; they’ll be best friends in the oven!
5. **Prepare the Sauce:** Put the rest of the chicken broth and any leftover chicken filling in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer and stir it every so often. This will make a tasty sauce for our enchiladas.
6. **Pour the sauce:** After mixing, pour the sauce evenly over the enchiladas. Now, add the rest of the shredded cheese on top. Yes, you can be kind! We love the cheese bath!
7. **Bake:** Put aluminum foil over the dish and put it in the oven that has already been heated for 20 minutes. Take off the foil and let those cheesy beauties bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
8. **Let it cool and serve:** Let the enchiladas sit for a few minutes after they come out of the oven before you serve them. Add fresh cilantro on top for a splash of color and taste!
Share these cheesy, warm White Chicken Enchiladas with your family and friends. They are the best way to have a cozy dinner!
Extra Tips and Ideas for Serving
Now that you’ve mastered making these tasty enchiladas, let’s talk about how to serve them and some other helpful hints!
– **Pairing Sides:** A fresh side salad, guacamole, or some Mexican street corn go great with these enchiladas. A little bit of homemade salsa would also give it a nice kick.
– **More Spice:** You can make the filling even spicier by adding jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you want to.
– **Prepare in Advance:** You can make these enchiladas ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. This makes them a great choice for parties. If you’re baking from the fridge, just add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
– **Putting in the freezer:** These enchiladas freeze really well. Put them together, but don’t add the sauce until you’re ready to bake. Wrap them tightly in foil. When you’re ready to eat, just pour the sauce over the food and bake it straight from the freezer. You may need to bake it for longer.
– **Ideas for Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Adding sour cream, avocado slices, fresh cilantro, or even lime wedges gives your dish that extra kick.
It’s time to eat these delicious White Chicken Enchiladas, so grab a fork! I hope you share this delicious recipe with your friends and family, or you could just keep it all to yourself! Happy cooking either way, and I can’t wait to hear how much you love them!
