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I stumbled on this recipe when I was tired of making regular red enchiladas. Now my whole family goes crazy for these! They're super creamy with tons of cheese and that yummy sour cream sauce. Even my picky 5-year-old who usually picks apart everything I make asks for seconds. My neighbor begged for the recipe after trying them at our last taco Tuesday!
Why This Recipe's A Winner
You know what's great about these enchiladas? They're so easy to throw together, especially on busy weeknights. I can grab a rotisserie chicken on my way home from work and have dinner ready in no time. My kids actually cheer when they smell that cheese melting in the oven! Plus, that creamy white sauce is way milder than red sauce, so the whole family loves it. Even my mother-in-law asked for the recipe, and she never asks for recipes!
What You'll Need
- Tortillas: Just grab the small flour ones
- Chicken: I usually grab a rotisserie chicken from the store makes life so much easier
- Monterey Jack: Get the block and shred it yourself melts way better
- Butter and Flour: For making that sauce
- Chicken Broth: Adds such good flavor to the sauce
- Sour Cream: Makes everything creamy and tangy
- Green Chilies: The little can of mild ones
- Green Onions: For sprinkling on top
Let's Get Cooking
- First Things First
- Heat up your oven and grab a big baking dish spray it good or everything will stick.
- Making The Filling
- Mix your shredded chicken with some of that cheese. I usually sneak a few bites while I'm mixing!
- Rolling Time
- Put some filling in each tortilla roll them up and line them up in your pan. Nothing fancy just get them all snug in there.
- The Sauce Magic
- Melt your butter add flour and whisk in that broth. Once it's thick take it off the heat let it cool a bit then stir in sour cream and chilies. This sauce is seriously so good I could eat it with a spoon!
- Put It All Together
- Pour that amazing sauce all over your enchiladas then pile on the rest of the cheese. More is always better right?
Some Tricks I've Learned
Make sure you let that sauce cool down before adding the sour cream or it'll get weird and chunky. I like to shred my own cheese takes an extra minute but it melts so much better. And don't skip the broiling at the end that crispy cheese on top is the best part!
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I throw in some diced onions with the chicken or add a little garlic powder to the sauce. My sister makes hers with pepper jack cheese gives them a nice kick. You can even sneak in some veggies if you've got picky eaters!
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What To Serve With Them
We love these with some Mexican rice or refried beans on the side. My kids go crazy for chips and guac with them. When we're feeling fancy I'll chop up some fresh tomatoes and cilantro to sprinkle on top.
Make Them Ahead
You can put these together the night before just cover them up good and pop them in the fridge. I've even frozen them before baking super handy for busy weeks. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge before cooking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead?
You can assemble the enchiladas ahead, but make the sauce fresh and add just before baking. The sauce might separate if made too far in advance.
- → Why does the sauce need to cool before adding sour cream?
Hot sauce can make sour cream curdle. Letting it cool slightly ensures a smooth, creamy texture without separation.
- → Can I freeze these enchiladas?
While possible, cream-based sauces can separate when frozen. Better to freeze the filled enchiladas without sauce, then make fresh sauce when ready to bake.
- → What's the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience. You can also use poached or baked chicken breast, or leftover cooked chicken.
- → Can I use corn tortillas?
Flour tortillas hold up better with the creamy sauce. Corn tortillas tend to break down and get mushy under this heavy sauce.
Conclusion
Creamy white chicken enchiladas are a delicious and comforting meal that combines tender chicken, melted cheese, and a rich sour cream sauce. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner that comes together quickly and easily.