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Home » Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Jul 31, 2020 · 18 Comments

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This authentic chicken enchiladas recipe is made with juicy shredded chicken wrapped in corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and smothered in a hugely flavorful homemade red enchilada sauce, topped with crumbled cheese. This is the best I've ever had.

Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - Recipe

Homemade Mexican red chicken enchiladas, or "Enchiladas Rojas", are insanely flavorful and when you finish a plateful of them, you can't help but go back for more. At least that is how it is in our house.

They are THAT delicious.

They're pretty darned easy to make, too, despite needing to make the red enchilada sauce from scratch, which may sound daunting, but it totally isn't.

I've had chicken enchiladas in Mexican restaurants, and I've had them a few different ways, as there are different ways to make them, such as with different fillings or with cheese melted over the top, and this is my preferred way to enjoy them.

When I make them at home for me and Patty, this is our favorite. The chicken is juicy-tender and the cheese perfectly melty. The homemade enchilada sauce is packed with flavor, as it is made from dried Mexican peppers, which are, in my opinion, the best things on the face of the planet.

I can't get enough of them! The sauce really makes the whole dish.

Top it all with crumbly white cheese and take a bite, and WHOA! FLAVOR! Just sit back and let those eyelids flutter with pleasure. I think you're going to love this one, my friends!

Let's talk about how we make these chicken enchiladas, shall we?

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients

  • FOR THE RED ENCHILADA SAUCE
  • 4 dried ancho peppers, stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried guajillo peppers, stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried chiles de arbol, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt (or use salt and pepper to taste)
  • Water as needed
  • FOR THE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican Manchego cheese, or use any good melty cheese like cheddar, pepperjack, Monterrey jack
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • FOR SERVING: Crumbly queso fresco, fresh chopped cilantro, spicy chili flakes, crema or sour cream (if desired)

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - The Recipe Method

FOR THE RED ENCHILADA SAUCE

Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce - Recipe

Toast the Peppers. First, heat a large pan to medium heat and dry toast the dried chili peppers a few minutes per side, until the skins begin to puff up a bit. This is an important step, as it helps to release the oils in the skins, which is HUGE for flavor.

Dry Toasting Peppers

Soak the Peppers. Set the peppers into a large bowl and pour hot water over them, just enough to cover them. Let them soak for 20 minutes, or until they become very soft.

Softening Peppers in Hot Water

Food Processor. Remove the softened peppers and set them into a food processor or blender.

Next, pour in some of the soaking liquid. You'll notice that it has become quite dark from the peppers. This water has plenty of nutrients leached from the peppers, so I like to use it. You can also use clean water if you'd like. Add about 1 cup to start.

Adding Water to the food processor

Onion and Garlic. Next, cook down some onion and garlic in a pan with oil, then add them to the food processor along with the rehydrated peppers. Add sea salt to your preference.

Process Until Smooth. Process the mixture until the sauce becomes very smooth. It will be very thick at this point. Add in more water, a half cup at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.

Processing Red Enchilada Sauce in a food processor

Gorgeous, isn't it? So rich and vibrantly red.

FOR THE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

How to Make Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - The Steps

The Chicken. Get your shredded cooked chicken ready. I like to mix it with some of the finished red enchilada sauce for additional flavor. YUM!

The Sauce. Strain the sauce into a pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat until it just starts to boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

The Tortillas. Next, heat a separate pan to medium heat and add a bit of the remaining olive oil. Cook the tortillas a few seconds in the oil until they become pliable. You may need to keep adding a bit more oil as you go along.

Dip the Tortillas and Assemble the Chicken Enchiladas. Dip each tortilla into the warmed enchilada sauce, then set it onto a work surface. Fill each with seasoned shredded chicken mixture and shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas up and serve them onto plates. Top them with remaining sauce, if desired.

Garnish and Serve. Garnish with crumbly cheese, fresh herbs and spicy red chili flakes.

BOOM! Done! Chow down, my friends! It doesn't get any better than this.

How Much Will This Serve?

My chicken enchiladas recipe will serve 6 people very easily. If you're super hungry, serve 4.

Awesomeness! I just love great Mexican food!

Recipe Tips

  • The Tortillas. Chicken enchiladas are best with corn tortillas, in my opinion, for texture and flavor. However, you can make them with flour tortillas. They are still quite delicious this way!
  • The Chicken. You can use any leftover cooked chicken for this recipe, or cook it fresh. One of my favorite ways to make shredded chicken is in a large pot that just simmers and simmers. Check out my recipe for The Juiciest Shredded Chicken Recipe for a truly, truly juicy chicken. No joke, it's great stuff. You can use chicken thighs or chicken breast.

The Juiciest Shredded Chicken – Recipe

  • Enchiladas Suizas. You can also melt some cheese over the top of the enchiladas for Enchiladas Suizas, which are a nice variation. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cheese for each. Just top them with cheese, set them onto a large baking dish, preheat the oven, then bake them at 350 degrees F. for a few minutes until the top cheese is melted through. Baked chicken enchiladas, my friends! Delicious.
  • Other Fillings. Try other fillings as well, such as potatoes or beans. Or a combination. You'd be surprised at the flavor and satisfaction of chicken with potatoes. So good!
  • Easy Enchilada Sauce. If you're looking for a super QUICK enchilada sauce recipe made with chili powder, try this one - Quick and Easy Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe. So much better than anything you'll find in grocery stores.

Patty's Perspective

The depth of flavors in these enchiladas from that red enchilada sauce is out of this world. I literally kept saying OMG after every single bite. I couldn’t even believe I have only chosen the green sauce my entire life because of my love for tomatillos. Where have you been all my life Red Enchiladas?!?

Try My Other Popular Mexican Recipes

  • Beef Enchiladas
  • Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Green Enchilada Sauce Recipe
  • Chicken Enchiladas Verde with Cheese
  • Rajas Poblanas - Roasted Poblano Strips in Cream Sauce
  • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
  • Mexican Chicken Tortas
  • Mexican Picadillo
  • Salsa Verde
  • Salsa Roja

Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - Ready to Eat

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations. Thanks! -- Mike H.

Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - Recipe
Print

Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

This authentic chicken enchiladas recipe is made with juicy shredded chicken wrapped in corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and smothered in a hugely flavorful homemade red enchilada sauce, topped with crumbled cheese. This is the best I've ever had.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, enchiladas, spicy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 446kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 6
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 6 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

FOR THE RED ENCHILADA SAUCE

  • 4 dried ancho peppers stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried guajillo peppers , stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried chiles de arbol stemmed and seeded
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
  • Water as needed

FOR THE ENCHILADAS

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican Manchego cheese Or use any good melty cheese
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • FOR SERVING: Crumbly queso fresco fresh chopped cilantro, spicy chili flakes

Instructions

FOR THE SAUCE

  • Dry toast the dried chili peppers in a heated pan over medium heat. Toast them a couple minutes per side, until they start to puff up slightly.
  • Cool, then set them into a heavy bowl with enough hot water to cover them.
  • Let them soak for 20 minutes, or until they become very soft. Remove them and place them in a blender or food processor.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the dark soaking water.
  • In the same heated pan, add the olive oil. Cook the onion about 3 minutes, or until they become translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute, until they become fragrant.
  • Add them to the food processor along with the sea salt.
  • Pour in the reserved soaking liquid and process to form a sauce. It will be very thick at this point.
  • Add in more water, a half cup at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.
  • Strain the sauce into a pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat until it just starts to boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

FOR THE ENCHILADAS ROJAS

  • Heat a separate pan to medium heat and add a bit of the remaining olive oil. Cook the tortillas a few seconds in the oil until they become pliable. You may need to keep adding a bit more oil as you go along.
  • Dip each tortilla into the warmed enchilada sauce, then set it onto a work surface. Fill each with shredded chicken and shredded cheese. Roll the tortillas up and serve them onto plates.
  • Garnish with crumbly cheese, fresh herbs and spicy red chili flakes.

Video

Notes

The sauce makes about 2-1/2 cups.
Makes 12 chicken enchiladas rojas.
Heat Factor: Mild, but these are HUGE on flavor. I love them.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 446kcal   Carbohydrates: 26g   Protein: 23g   Fat: 28g   Saturated Fat: 11g   Cholesterol: 76mg   Sodium: 1160mg   Potassium: 259mg   Fiber: 3g   Sugar: 1g   Vitamin A: 490IU   Vitamin C: 2mg   Calcium: 459mg   Iron: 1mg
Chicken Enchiladas Rojas - Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

Categories: Chicken Tags: Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, cinco de mayo, low budget/inexpensive meals, mexican, mikes favorites, patty's favorites, video recipe

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle McLellan says

    November 01, 2022 at 9:41 am

    I need to make these about a week ahead; will they freeze well?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      November 01, 2022 at 10:16 am

      Michelle, yes. I would freeze them in oven baking dish so you can just cook them straight from frozen. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Jérémie says

    May 18, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    My opinion is that this is a great enchilada lesson. Very simple, but very effective.
    Sorry sir.. but I had to add a (very tiny) habanero pepper to the pan, after the garlic (beautiful).
    Very very nice recipe, dear Mike!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 18, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      Thanks much, Jérémie! Yes, a bit of habanero for me as well, sir! Very nice.

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    August 25, 2021 at 7:38 pm

    5 stars
    I was missing my sister in laws enchiladas after moving away. These are super close. Xoxo

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 25, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      Awesome. Thanks, Elizabeth. =)

      Reply
  4. Dan says

    August 22, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is fantastic. Never going back to enchiladas with the bland red sauce from a can. These are well worth the extra effort. Also the leftovers were still amazing the next day, maybe even better. My long neglected food processor can finally justify its existence because I will be making these often.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 22, 2021 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Dan. Totally agreed! This is the best way to go! SO good. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  5. Chris Hall says

    July 21, 2021 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    These were so good.

    Love your website: recipes, chili background, and gardening tips. With COVID-19 I have had more time to cook and your website has been my favorite resource. Thank you Mike.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 21, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks so much, Chris. Glad you are finding recipe you enjoy. I appreciate it.

      Reply
  6. Pat Corbley says

    August 24, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Made this for the family last night... Huge hit. My 2 year old ate an entire enchilada!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 24, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      Nice! I love to hear it, Pat.

      Reply
  7. Glenn says

    January 01, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    Mike I substituted halibut for the chicken and it was amassing. I’ve made this several times and everyone raves about them. I used flour tortillas in place of the corn but both were great. Thank you for such an authentic recipe.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 02, 2020 at 9:01 am

      I love the switch up, Glenn! I'll have to try this with halibut. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  8. Christine Letsinger says

    December 11, 2019 at 3:43 pm

    5 stars
    Best enchiladas that I have ever had! Can’t wait to try more recipes from this site!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      December 11, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks, Christine! Super happy you enjoyed them! It's a great recipe for sure. I hope you find many more you like!

      Reply
  9. Gerald Hayes says

    March 23, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    So good. I added a chopped Jalapeño to the onion. Served with some homemade Mexican style rice. It all just evaporated!

    I tried to strain the sauce but it was too thick so I didn't bother.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      March 24, 2019 at 8:45 am

      Awesome, Gerald! Glad you liked it!!

      Reply

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