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In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

Easy delicious family friendly meals and baked goods

Home / Dinner / Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Dinner

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creamy green chile chicken enchiladas with sour cream and avocado
creamy green chile chicken enchiladas

This Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas recipe is a spin on traditional enchiladas. I use shredded chicken mixed with chihuahua cheese and a creamy salsa verde.

The enchiladas are topped with cheese then baked in the oven. Add your favorite toppings then serve!

creamy green chile chicken enchiladas topped with sour cream, jalapeno, avocado and radish

The homemade salsa verde is blended with cream cheese to make a smooth and creamy taste. This is a great recipe if you love green chiles but don’t do well with a lot of heat.

The cream cheese helps tone down the spice of these green enchiladas. It still has so much flavor but less heat, making it a perfect meal for the whole family.

Mexican food is always a favorite at our house. A woman taught me a variation of this recipe years ago.

A woman I was working with was making staff lunch for the day. When I saw her adding cream cheese to her salsa verde, she saw the surprised look on my face.

She told me that this green chile enchilada sauce was the traditional way of making enchiladas verdes in her hometown in Mexico. I tasted it and loved it immediately!

I’ve remembered this delicious recipe ever since! Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas is one of those meals that is cozy and comforting at the dinner table in the winter time but also perfect to eat outside during late summer.

Next time you’re craving enchiladas I hope you think of this recipe!

Some other Mexican inspired dishes you may love: Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe, Creamy Taco Truck Green Salsa Recipe, Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Relish and Chipotle Mayo

Table of Contents

  • What is green enchilada sauce made of?
  • Are enchiladas better with corn or flour tortillas?
  • Ingredients for Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
  • Equipment needed
  • Tips for Creamy Green Chile Enchiladas
  • Sides that go with Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
  • How to store Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
  • Can I make this recipe ahead?
  • How to make Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
    • Rolling the enchiladas
  • Leave a rating and/or review!
  • Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Shredded Chicken
      • Creamy Green Enchilada Sauce
      • Additional Ingredients
      • Toppings (Optional)
    • Instructions 
      • Making the Chicken
      • Making the Creamy Green Enchilada Sauce
      • Making the Enchiladas
    • Nutrition

What is green enchilada sauce made of?

Each green enchilada sauce is made slightly different. For this Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas recipe I use salsa verde as the base then add cream cheese.

The following ingredients make up this green enchilada sauce:

  • Tomatillos- These look like small green tomatoes with husks
  • Jalapenos – I use fresh jalapenos
  • Onion – Yellow onion is my go-to
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves bring the best flavor
  • Cilantro – Cilantro brightens up the salsa a bit
  • Kosher Salt – Salt really brings out the flavor of all the ingredients
  • Water – Water helps thin the salsa a bit
  • Cream Cheese – This is what makes this particular green enchilada sauce creamy
enchiladas with sauce on top

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour tortillas?

This is totally a personal preference. This recipe can be made with either tortilla.

I prefer corn tortillas. Corn tortillas are a little trickier to roll because they can break easily.

You’ll want to either microwave them in a damp towel just until warm or fry them with a little oil or non-stick cooking spray in a pan over medium heat just until warm and pliable.

These Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas are equally as delicious with flour tortillas. One thing to keep in mind if you switch the flour tortillas is that the recipe is no longer gluten free.

side view of a 3/4 full pan

Ingredients for Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

  • Chicken Thighs – I love using chicken thighs for their flavor and juiciness
  • Chicken Stock – This is to braise the chicken thighs in so they shred easily. You can use stock or chicken broth
  • Kosher Salt – Super important in every dish. Salt brings out all the flavors
  • Black Pepper – I prefer coarse ground pepper
  • Corn Tortillas – Feel free to use flour tortillas if you prefer
  • Chihuahua Cheese – This is a melty Mexican cheese
  • Tomatillos – Tomatillos look like little green tomatoes with husks. You can find them at your local grocery store
  • Jalapenos – Use fresh jalapeno, not pickled. You can also use serrano if you like a lot of heat. You can also adjust up or down the amount of green chilies you use, tailored to your specific spice tolerance
  • Onion – I use yellow onion
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves are best
  • Cilantro – Fresh cilantro is in the sauce and used for a topping
  • Olive Oil – For roasting the tomatillos, onion and garlic
  • Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is added to the salsa verde to make it creamy and more mild
  • Cotija Cheese – A Mexican cheese sprinkled on top before serving
  • Avocado – An optional topping
  • Radish – Sliced radishes are an optional topping that add color and crunch
  • Red Onion – Red onion is a more non-traditional topping that I like on my enchiladas
  • Sour Cream – An optional topping. I only use about 1/4 cup of sour cream
ingredients needed for this recipe

Equipment needed

  • 13×9 Casserole Dish – A 13×9 dish fits the Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas best. You can also use 2 smaller dishes if you don’t have one that large
  • 10×7 Baking Dish – I use a 10×7 baking dish to cook the chicken thighs
  • Sheet Pan – You’ll need a sheet pan/cookie sheet to roast the veggies
  • Food Processor – Use a food processor or blender to blend the creamy green enchilada sauce
  • Sharp Knife – You’ll need a sharp knife for cutting some veggies
  • Cutting Board – A cutting board is a kitchen staple that you will use almost every meal
creamy green chile chicken enchiladas

Tips for Creamy Green Chile Enchiladas

  • If you don’t love chicken thighs ( I don’t know why you wouldn’t!) then you can use chicken breast for this recipe
  • A great way to make this recipe in less time is to use shredded rotisserie chicken. Just grab a pre-made rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, bring it home and shred it
  • You can switch up the cheese each time you make this recipe to give a slightly different flavor. Monterey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack would be a great option in place of the Chihuahua cheese
  • To make the corn tortillas more pliable and easier to roll, wrap them in a damp paper towel then microwave them for about 15 seconds. You can also spray a small frying pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat the tortillas over medium-high heat just until slightly warmed
  • If you like things spicy then add your favorite hot sauce on top after cooking
  • It’s best to let the chicken cool to room temp after shredding. Then you won’t burn yourself while you’re adding the chicken mixture to the tortillas
  • Tips and tricks will be on the recipe card for easy viewing while cooking!
a full pan of creamy green chile chicken enchiladas with toppings

Sides that go with Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

  • Summer Fruit Salad
  • Strawberry Summer Salad
  • Mexican Rice
  • Refried Beans
  • Black Beans

How to store Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas are one of those dishes that are best eaten fresh. You can definitely store them to eat later but they do get a little soggy by the next day.

The best method of storing is to let them fully cool then either transfer them to an airtight container or wrap the baking dish tightly in plastic wrap.

Keep them for up to 4 days in the fridge. The microwave is the best place to reheat them, the oven will just dry them out.

I do not recommend freezing the enchiladas. The texture will not hold up upon thawing and reheating.

creamy green chile chicken enchiladas topped with sour cream, jalapeno, avocado and radish

Can I make this recipe ahead?

You can make each individual part of this recipe ahead of time, store them separately and then put it together when you need it.

If you make the full recipe ahead of time whether you bake it or wait to bake it then the Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas will be soggy.

If you’re looking to save time then I would suggest cooking and shredding the chicken then mixing it with the cheese once it’s cooled. Store that in one container.

Make the creamy salsa verde, let it cool then store it in a separate container.

Chop and slice and garnish EXCEPT the avocado and store the garnishes in a container. Wait until serving time to slice the avocado so it doesn’t turn brown.

Then you can quickly roll and bake the enchiladas and top them!

How to make Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Season the chicken thighs, place them in the smaller baking dish then add the chicken stock.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil then bake for 2 hours. Remove the chicken from the oven, turn the oven down to 350° and let the chicken cool slightly then shred it.

shredded chicken

While the chicken is cooking, make the creamy green enchilada sauce. Add the tomatillos, green chiles, onion and garlic to a sheet pan.

Drizzle veggies with oil then add 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Roast for 15 minutes at 400°F then remove the garlic and set aside. Continue roasting the other veggies for 5 more minutes.

Remove from the oven and add the veggies along with the garlic to the food processor. Add the water and salt then blend until you have a slightly chunky salsa.

Add the cream cheese and continue blending until cream cheese is fully incorporated.

Rolling the enchiladas

Add the Chihuahua cheese to the shredded chicken and mix.

chicken and chihuahua cheese mixed together

Slightly warm the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel in the microwave for 15 seconds or using a skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Just until the tortillas are pliable.

Pour a small amount of creamy enchilada sauce on the bottom of the 13×9 pan. Add a little of the enchilada sauce or a small plate or bowl for dipping the tortillas.

dipping tortilla in enchilada sauce

Dip each corn tortilla in the enchilada sauce on the front and back then add a small amount of the chicken and cheese mixture and roll.

Place each rolled enchilada into the pan, fitting them tightly together. Top enchiladas with remaining enchilada sauce and remaining Chihuahua cheese.

enchiladas with sauce on top

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the enchiladas and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Add toppings and serve!

We love these creamy chicken enchiladas and I hope it’s an easy dinner that you will too!

creamy green chile chicken enchiladas

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I would love for you to leave me a star rating and/or review at the bottom of this blog post if you make these Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas! Don’t forget to tag me in any Instagram photos you post when making the recipe, I love to see what everyone is cooking!

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This green chicken enchiladas recipe is a family favorite and I hope it can be a favorite for your family too!

creamy green chile chicken enchiladas topped with sour cream, jalapeno, avocado and radish

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Krista A Stechman
This spin on traditional enchiladas includes cream cheese added to salsa verde to make a creamy and mild sauce
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 25 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
Course dinner
Cuisine mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 660 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 13×9 baking dish
  • 1 10×7 baking dish
  • 1 food processor
  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 sharp knife
  • 1 cutting board

Ingredients
  

Shredded Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Creamy Green Enchilada Sauce

  • ¾ lb tomatillos husked
  • 4 fresh jalapenos stems cut off
  • 1 small onion peeled and medium diced
  • 5 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1½ tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • â…“ cup water
  • 6 oz cream cheese

Additional Ingredients

  • 8 oz chihuahua cheese
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • ¼ cup cotija cheese

Toppings (Optional)

  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup cilantro rough chopped
  • 1 oz red onion thin sliced
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 6 radishes thinly sliced

Instructions
 

Making the Chicken

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F
  • Season the chicken in the 10×7 pan then add the chicken stock
  • Cover with aluminum foil then bake for 2 hours
  • Remove the chicken from the oven, allow to cool slightly then shred. Drain the excess juice and set chicken aside to cool. Turn the oven down to 350°F

Making the Creamy Green Enchilada Sauce

  • While the chicken is in the oven place the tomatillos, jalapeno, onion and garlic on a sheet tray. Drizzle with oil and ½ tsp kosher salt, toss to coat
  • Roast for 15 minutes. Remove the garlic and set aside then continue roasting another 5 minutes
  • Add tomatillos, jalapeno, onion, garlic, cilantro, water and remaining ½ tsp of kosher salt to the food processor. Blend until you have a slightly chunky salsa consistency
  • Add the cream cheese and blend until it's fully incorporated

Making the Enchiladas

  • Mix the chihuahua cheese into the chicken
  • Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave 15 seconds to make pliable. You can also heat them slightly in a frying pan with non stick cooking spray
  • Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom of the 13×9 pan. Add a little sauce to a bowl for dipping
  • Dip the front and back of a corn tortilla in the enchilada sauce in your bowl then add a little chicken mixture and roll
  • Add the enchilada to the 13×9 inch pan. Continue process until all enchiladas are rolled
  • Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas and top with a couple handfuls of chihuahua cheese
  • Cover the enchiladas with aluminum foil then bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking another 5 minutes
  • Remove from the oven, add the cotija cheese and your desired toppings and serve

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 47gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 210mgSodium: 1482mgPotassium: 1020mgFiber: 7gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1040IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 406mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

March 31, 2022 · Leave a Comment

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krista in a white sweater with a pink kitchen aid mixer eating cool whip off of one finger

My name is Krista Stechman. I’m a chef, food photographer and the mama of 2 gorgeous girls. Food has always been at the center of my life and  cooking is a way for me to show and share my love!

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