These enchiladas with green sauce are stuffed with tender chicken, smothered in tangy salsa verde, then topped with melty cheese and baked, easy to make!
Enchiladas with Green Sauce
We're cooking up a batch of Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce, my friends! Would you care for some? Come on in!
Green chicken enchiladas, or chicken enchiladas verdes in Spanish, are a traditional Mexican dish made with tortillas filled with shredded chicken or other fillings topped with in a green sauce, or salsa verde, made from tomatillos, chilies, garlic, and other seasonings.
Salsa verde enchiladas are often topped with cheese and other fixings, like onions, Mexican crema, or fresh herbs. Enchiladas verdes are typically served with rice and beans and are a popular dish in many Mexican restaurants.
Let's talk about how to make enchiladas verdes, shall we?
Chicken Enchiladas Verdes Ingredients
The printable instructions with exact measurements is listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Boneless Chicken. Use chicken breast or thicken thighs. You can use pre-cooked chicken as a time saver.
- Seasonings. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, Mexican oregano, salt and black pepper.
- Olive Oil.
- Chicken Broth. For poaching the chicken. You can also use a flavorful Mexican style lager.
- For the Green Chicken Enchiladas
- Green Enchilada Sauce. Try my homemade green enchilada sauce recipe for the best flavor. So much better than a store bought tomatillo salsa.
- Corn Tortillas. Warmed or lightly toasted, for better pliability and easier rolling. You can use flour tortillas, but corn is more traditional.
- Shredded Mexican Cheese. Use Monterey Jack, white cheddar, asadero, manchego, or queso quesadilla cheeses.
- For Serving. Fresh cilantro, queso fresco, chopped fresh jalapenos or serranos, fresh cut limes, diced tomato, crema or sour cream, spicy chili flakes, your favorite hot sauce
How to Make Chicken Enchiladas Verdes - The Recipe Method
Season and Sear the Chicken. First, heat a small pan to medium heat and add the olive oil.
Season your chicken with the blend of seasonings, then sear the chicken a couple minutes per side to let it brown up.
Poach the Chicken. Pour in the broth or beer and cover. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer about 30 minutes, or until it cooks through and becomes very tender.
Shred the Chicken. Remove the chicken from the heat and shred it with a fork. I set it into a separate bowl for this.
Prep for Baking. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Sauce the Baking Dish. Spoon some of the green enchilada sauce onto the bottom of a 8x11 baking dish and spread it out, just enough to cover the bottom.
Roll the Chicken Enchiladas. Spoon the chicken into each of the warmed corn tortillas and roll them up. Set them side by side in the dish with the seam side down. They will all nestle up together.
Top with Sauce and Cheese. Pour on the remaining sauce, then top with the remaining cheese. You can easily add more cheese than I added, to your preference.
Bake the Chicken Enchiladas. Bake the chicken enchiladas verdes for 20 minutes, or until the cheeses are nicely melted.
Garnish and Serve. Remove from heat and top the enchiladas with your favorite toppings.
Boom! Done! Your salsa verde chicken enchiladas are ready to serve! Pretty easy recipe, isn't it? And HUGE on flavor. I hope you love my green chicken enchiladas recipe as much as we do.
How Much Will This Serve?
My chicken enchiladas verde recipe will serve 4-6 people very easily. If you're super hungry, serve 4.
Also, these are GREAT the next day. We're only a 2 person household, so I can make this exact size recipe, enjoy it for dinner, then enjoy it again for lunch the next day.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Use the microwave to warm the corn tortillas so they are more pliable, or warm them in the oven or lightly fry them in a pan. Otherwise they might split when you try to fill them with the shredded chicken.
If you'd like to save time, you can pan cook the chicken then chop it instead of waiting for it to become tender and easy to shred. You can also use rotisserie chicken if you'd like, or leftover cooked chicken.
As a variation, use tender shredded pork shoulder instead of chicken. It is so delicious.
Storage and Leftovers
Leftover chicken enchiladas verdes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a sealed container. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
To enjoy them again, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave until they're heated through.
Patty's Perspective
I am IN LOVE with Enchiladas Verde. I could eat verde sauce every day. I just love the flavor of tomatillos and I really love this spiced up version. Whenever I have a chance I choose enchiladas at a Mexican restaurant. Now….if only I could figure out a way to convince Mike to make this more often!!
Try My Other Popular Mexican Recipes
- Chicken Enchiladas Rojas
- Red Enchilada Sauce
- Beef Enchiladas
- Mexican Picadillo
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Mexican Chicken Tortas
- Salsa Verde
- Salsa Roja
- Chile Relleno Casserole
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 Verdes (Enchiladas with Green Sauce Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast or chicken thighs boneless (You can also use pre-cooked chicken as a time saver)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth or use a Mexican style lager
FOR THE ENCHILADAS
- 2 cups Green Enchilada Sauce use 3 cups for a saucier version
- 8 corn tortillas warmed
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
FOR SERVING: Fresh chopped cilantro, queso fresco, chopped fresh jalapenos or serranos, fresh cut limes, diced tomato, spicy chili flakes, your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat a small pan to medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Season the chicken with the blend of seasonings, then sear the chicken a couple minutes per side to let it brown up.
- Pour in the broth and cover. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer about 30 minutes, or until it cooks through and becomes very tender. Remove from heat and shred it with a fork.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spoon some of the green enchilada sauce onto the bottom of a 8x11 baking dish and spread it out, just enough to cover the bottom.
- Spoon the chicken into each of the corn tortillas and roll them up. Set them side by side in the dish onto the seams of the tortillas. They will all nestle up together.
- Pour on the rest of the green enchilada sauce, then top with cheese.
- Bake the chicken enchiladas verdes for 20 minutes, or until the cheeses are nicely melted.
- Remove from heat and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 5/1/23 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 7/18/18.
Yvette Tourangeau says
I absolutely love this recipe! I have made it over a dozen times now, with slight variations based on pepper availability and heat. I have also switched out the chicken for pork, and it was lovely! I prefer 'better than boiullion' chicken base for the stock, and omit adding any salt. Try this recipe! Fair warning- you will crave the smell of roasting peppers from here on out
Mike Hultquist says
This is GREAT, Yvette! Yes, I love the versatility! Thanks!
Sandy says
I used to go to a little Mexican restaurant located in a strip mall. They made the best chicken enchiladas verde I ever ate. They weren't very complicated, they were just so darn good. Then they sold the restaurant. I've been searching for my perfect chicken enchiladas verde recipe ever since they closed. Well, I think I may have found it! I made your homemade green enchilada sauce to go with them and it was definitely a keeper! Sooo good! And I loved the spice blend on the chicken! So many enchilada recipes I've seen just use rotisserie chicken... No! no! no! That chicken has no taste! Well-seasoned chicken is an integral part of the enchiladas for me. The only deviation I made from your recipe was to roast the chicken rather than poach it since I always seem to overcook boneless, skinless chicken breasts when I poach them. Thanks for a great recipe!
Mike H. says
Super happy to hear it, Sandy. And thanks a lot for sharing such a nice review. I loved reading it!
Andrea says
Is this something that can be made ahead of time (a few days in advance) and then baked? My daughter is coming to house sit/dog sit and I want to have some pre-made meals ready for her to just throw in the oven! Thanks 🙂
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, you can do this, Andrea. A few things, though. Corn tortillas can get soggy if they sit in the sauce too long. Lightly frying them helps before filling, or use a thicker sauce that isn't too watery. Or, you can keep the sauce separate and have your daughter pour the sauce over the top, then bake. You can also use flour tortillas, which won't get as soggy. Let me know how it goes for you.
Boo Scruff says
Turkey Verde Enchiladas where packed with so much goodness & flavor (great idea) used both white meat & dark, made extra Verde sauce for dipping. Thanks again for suggestion, nice spin.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Thanks, Boo! Glad you enjoyed them.
Maria says
I will make today.
Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy, Maria!
Cindy says
I made these tonight….they were absolutely delicious! The only change I made was to add just a smear of Philly on the tortilla before adding the chicken.
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it, Cindy! Thanks for sharing!
Valerie Potter says
These are the best! Kudos on the verde enchiladas sauce!! It is literally the best sauce I ever tasted.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Thanks, Valerie!
Chris says
isn't it just a can of green chili sauce?
Chris says
nevermind I just scrolled to the top and seen the link for the sauce. ignore that comment. tried to delete it but I don't have delete option.
Jan E. Schuman says
Love your recipes! Thanks for all of them.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Jan!
Elf says
These are truly some of the best I've ever seen, oh so yummy, with just the right Kick...
Mike Hultquist says
Awesomeness! Glad you enjoyed them as much as we do, Elf! Yes!
Jen says
Those tortillas look like they are flour, not corn…am I right?
Mike Hultquist says
They are white corn tortillas. =)