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    Bites with Bri » Main » Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Published: Apr 13, 2023 · Modified: May 2, 2023 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce are super cheesy, creamy, and full of flavorful salsa verde. Use leftover shredded chicken for an even easier weeknight meal that can be ready in about 30 minutes.

    Overhead image of chicken enchiladas with green sauce.

    These salsa verde chicken enchiladas are an easier version of my Green Chili Beef Enchiladas because they use store-bought salsa verde instead of homemade enchiladas sauce or salsa.

    You can either use leftover chicken or make it fresh. Both are delicious!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce
    • Recipe Serving Suggestions
    • Expert Tips & Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Main Dish Recipes
    • Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Extra cheesy - This recipe has 3 cups of monterey jack cheese! 
    • Creamy - The sour cream in the filling adds some extra creaminess, flavor, and prevents the chicken from getting dry. 
    • Can be made with fresh or leftover chicken - Both are delicious.
    • Simple ingredients - This recipe only requires 7 basic ingredients plus some spices and water. 
    • Easy - This recipe can be made in about 30 minutes if you are using cooked chicken.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Overhead image of ingredients needed to make chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    • Chicken: If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, you will need about 3 cups. Sauté the onion in the oil until soft, then stir in the chicken and spices. Continue to Step 6 and follow the rest of the recipe as written. 
    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How to Make Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Quick Overview

    • Cook chicken. 
    • Roll enchiladas. 
    • Top with salsa verde & cheese.
    • Bake.

    Step by Step Instructions

    A 6 photo collage showing the beginning assembly of chicken enchiladas with green sauce.

    Be sure to cook off any excess water so the filling is not too watery.

    Step 1: In a large stainless steel skillet, toss the chicken, oil, and spices until coated.

    Step 2: Turn the heat to medium high and sear each side for 3-4 minutes.

    Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and stir so the excess seasoning coats them.

    Step 4: Deglaze the skillet with the water, scraping any brown bits off the bottom.

    Step 5: Once the water is boiling, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Using 2 forks shred the chicken. Cook off any excess water that is left in the pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

    Step 6: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream and cheese. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    A 6 photo collage showing the final assembly of chicken enchiladas with green sauce.

    To make the corn tortillas more pliable, cover them with a wet paper towel and warm them in the microwave in 10 second intervals until soft.

    Step 7: Spread a thin layer of the salsa in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish (enough to just coat the bottom).

    Step 8: Spoon enough chicken to fill the tortilla. Roll and place seam side down in the salsa.

    Step 9: Repeat with remaining tortillas and pour remaining salsa over the top.

    Step 10: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

    Step 11: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

    Step 12: Garnish with cilantro, red onions, pickled jalapeños, avocado, & cotija cheese if desired.

    Recipe Serving Suggestions

    Definitely do not skip out on the toppings for these green chicken enchiladas! Here are some of my favorites:

    • Chopped cilantro
    • Red onions or Mexican Pickled Onions
    • Raw or pickled jalapeños
    • Sliced avocado or Easy 4 Ingredient Guacamole
    • Crumbled cotija or queso fresco 
    • Sour cream or Mexican crema
    • Chipotle Crema Sauce or Jalapeño Lime Crema

    As for sides, I recommend something simple, like my Mexican Red Rice Recipe, Mexican Potatoes Recipe, or Cast Iron Fried Corn.

    Expert Tips & Variations

    • Use good quality salsa. I really like the Homemade Salsa Verde by Sabor Mexicano. It can be found at Whole Foods. The tomatillos are roasted which give it a great flavor. It is just as good as homemade. Regardless, be sure to taste the salsa on its own first because if it does not have a good flavor or is too acidic or bland, the dish will not taste the best. 
    • Shred blocks of cheese. I always recommend shredding cheese fresh instead of buying pre-shredded bags of cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is covered in anti-caking agents which prevent it from melting as well. It also does not have as good of a flavor.
    Up close image of chicken enchiladas with garnish.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is green enchilada sauce the same as salsa verde?

    Typically enchilada sauce is cooked, while salsa verde is raw. I recommend using a salsa verde with roasted tomatillos.

    Is red or green enchilada sauce better for chicken enchiladas?

    It is a personal preference! Both go well with chicken. Red sauce has more of a smoky tomato flavor, while green tastes more of cilantro and lime.

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • Air Fryer English Muffins Pizzas (10 minutes)
    • Beef Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • Easy Taco Pasta Bake (Cheesy)
    • Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Chops

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    If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

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    5 from 17 votes

    Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    These Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce are super cheesy, creamy, and full of flavorful salsa verde. Use leftover shredded chicken for an even easier weeknight meal that can be ready in about 30 minutes.
    Servings5
    Prep5 minutes minutes
    Cook45 minutes minutes
    Total50 minutes minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • 9 x 13 Baking Dish
    • Cheese Grater with Handle
    • Stirring Spoon

    Ingredients:

    Chicken Filling

    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs*
    • 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
    • 1 teaspoon EACH Morton kosher salt, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, & granulated garlic*
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 1 cup water or chicken broth
    • 4 ounces 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
    • ¾ cup sour cream

    For Assembling

    • 10 6 inch flour or corn tortillas, warmed
    • 26 ounces (about 3 ¼ cups) good quality mild or medium salsa verde*
    • 8 ounces (2 cups) monterey jack cheese, shredded

    Optional Garnish

    • cilantro, red onions, pickled jalapeños, avocado, & cotija cheese

    Instructions:

    • In a large stainless steel skillet, toss the chicken, oil, and spices until coated.
    • Turn the heat to medium high and sear each side for 3-4 minutes.
    • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and stir so the excess seasoning coats them.
    • Deglaze the skillet with the water, scraping any brown bits off the bottom.
    • Once the water is boiling, cover and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Using 2 forks shred the chicken. Cook off any excess water that is left in the pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sour cream and cheese. Remove from the heat and set aside.
    • Spread a thin layer of the salsa in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish (enough to just coat the bottom).
    • Spoon enough chicken to fill the tortilla. Roll and place seam side down in the salsa.
    • Repeat with remaining tortillas and pour remaining salsa over the top.
    • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
    • Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
    • Garnish with cilantro, red onions, pickled jalapeños, avocado, & cotija cheese if desired.

    Notes:

    • Chicken: If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, you will need about 3 cups. Sauté the onion in the oil until soft, then stir in the chicken and spices. Continue to Step 6 and follow the rest of the recipe as written.
    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
    • Use good quality salsa. I really like the Homemade Salsa Verde by Sabor Mexicano. It can be found at Whole Foods. The tomatillos are roasted which give it a great flavor. It is just as good as homemade. Regardless, be sure to taste the salsa on its own first because if it does not have a good flavor or is too acidic or bland, the dish will not taste the best. 
    • Shred blocks of cheese. I always recommend shredding cheese fresh instead of buying pre-shredded bags of cheese. The pre-shredded cheese is covered in anti-caking agents which prevent it from melting as well. It also does not have as good of a flavor.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 1246kcal | Carbohydrates: 125g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 3874mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 20g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mina

      April 24, 2023 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      This is heavenly! I can't wait to make it over the weekend. I'm sure everyone will love it!

      Reply
    2. Giangi Townsend

      April 19, 2023 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves chicken enchiladas, and I made your recipe for him. He not only loved it but devoured it. It was super delicious, and I will make it again soon. Easy to make and so good. Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Lindsay

      April 19, 2023 at 9:38 am

      5 stars
      These were absolutely incredible, everyone gobbled them up!

      Reply
    4. Gloria

      April 19, 2023 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      We are Mexican food lovers. This will be a hit with the family. A great way to feed a crowd.

      Reply
    5. Andréa Janssen

      April 19, 2023 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      We love chicken enchiladas, but normally prepare them with red sauce. But this green sauce was really delicious! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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