This easy sour cream chicken enchiladas recipe is packed with chicken and melted cheese and features creamy white enchilada sauce. An easy casserole will become a favorite quick dinner recipe at your home.
Introduction
I'm a Mexican food hound, meaning I love it all. But many of my Mexican dishes taste similar because I love the taste. I'll call it spicy tomato taco-ish taste.
But it is time for a change of pace with sour cream chicken enchiladas. This is a different type o good. Very good, but not the "kicktail" Mexican I'm known for and not spicy.
Based on a Food.com Simple Sour Cream Enchiladas, I don't know the origin since essentially the same recipe appears in many places. I have provided some options and slight modifications.
👨🍳How to make this recipe
- Preheat oven.
- Trim raw and chop chicken and chop the onion.
- In a large fry pan with oil over medium-high heat, cook the chicken and the onion.
- Prepare the casserole dish and warm the tortillas.
- Fill the tortilla with the chicken mixture and cheese. Roll tightly and place in casserole dish.
- Make the sauce. Start with a rour of butter and flour. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and a can of diced chilis.
- Pour the sauce over the casserole. Sprinkle the top with more cheese.
- Bake for about 20 minutes until 165°, golden brown, and bubbling.
🐓Ingredients
Chicken
Any chicken works well—either shredded or bite-size white or dark meat pieces.
I suggest about 1 ½ pounds, but a range of 1 to 2 pounds is acceptable. That is 3 to 4 cups of shredded chicken. The 1 ½ pounds will be meaty, 2 pounds will be very meaty, and 1 pound is sparse.
Rotisserie chicken will give a more completely shredded chicken than the method in the recipe. Any pre-cooked chicken will work, even my freezer burn chicken recipe.
You can precook a couple of chicken breasts, then cool and shred, which I frequently do.
If you use precooked chicken, you should still saute the onion.
Cheese
A lot of the flavor comes from the Monterey Jack cheese. While you "can" change it, the real question is, should you? That answer is no. Monterey Jack provides some subtle Mexican-type flavors.
The only change you might consider is Pepper Jack cheese, Monterey Jack with chili peppers, and herbs for a more spicy flavor. If you change this, I would only change the cheese wrapped in the tortillas and not the topping.
Tortillas
Pick the size that fits your pan, usually be 8-inch. Either flour or corn tortillas will be delicate. I find flour tortillas hold up better in this type of dish.
To roll tortillas, they need to be warm. I usually warm them wrapped in a lightly dampened dishtowel in a microwave. You can also heat them in an oven wrapped in foil.
❓FAQs
Sure, but there may be some changes in taste—not recommended.
Sour cream chicken enchiladas are not spicy. The primary flavors are onions, green chilis, and cheese.
Feel free to spice it up if you wish, but this is Mexican for the whole family, including the little ones.
If you want to spice up the filling, you can change the cheese to Pepper Jack, which will add some heat. To increase the flavor of the chicken, add a couple of teaspoons of ground cumin and a bit of salt and pepper.
This recipe uses a roux method to make the sauce. It is a classic and easy-to-learn method to thicken sauces and gravy.
For more information on the roux method, please see How To Make Gravy at Home.
A few recipes will use cream of chicken soup that will add other unwanted flavors/ingredients. I suggest staying with the roux method.
Some tortillas tend to absorb more of the sauce and be soggy. You can prevent this by briefly frying them in a hot skillet with oil—not enough to firm them up, just a coating to create a barrier.
❄️Serving and storage
Serving
My favorites are guacamole, salsa, and refried beans. I also like to top with some chopped fresh lettuce and tomatoes.
Storage
Sour cream chicken enchilada casserole can be stored both uncooked and cooked.
To refrigerate uncooked, roll up the enchiladas and cover tightly in the baking dish. Make the sauce and store it in the pan to reheat before assembly.
To refrigerate after cooking, allow to cool before covering, and store for 2-3 days.
To freeze, both uncooked and fully assembled or fully cooked (cooled) are fined. Cover very well with multiple layers of plastic wrap and foil for 3-4 months.
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📖Mexican Recipes
Healthier Chicken Enchilada Casserole in 60 Minutes
See the Cinco de Mayo Recipe Roundup for many great Mexican recipes.
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional.
Trim and dice about 1 ½ pound skinless boneless chicken breast into about ½ inch or smaller pieces—dice one medium onion.
Add one tablespoon of oil to a large frypan over medium-high heat, and when hot, add chicken and onion together. Cook until the chicken appears done—about 5 minutes.
Spray a 9 by 13 baking dish with PAM. Heat 8 tortillas (8 inches) in a microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften. Assemble the enchiladas. Add about ¼ cup of chicken/onion (more if you increased the chicken) and about two tablespoons of Monterrey Jack cheese on a tortilla. Place this not in the center but about at the ⅓ mark,
Roll over the short end over the filling tightly. Place them seam-side down in the baking pan. Repeat until done.
In a medium saucepan, melt four tablespoons ( ½ stick) of butter over medium heat. When melted, add ¼ cup flour. Whisk together and cook for a few minutes.
Add one can of chicken broth, continuously whisk until thickened and then a few minutes more.
Remove from heat and add 1 cup sour cream and 1 (4 ounces) can of chopped green chilis.
Pour sauce over the assembled enchiladas. Top with 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese.
Bake until golden brown and bubbling—about 20 minutes. Check internal temperature; if not above 165°, cover with foil, and bake until you reach 165°.
📖The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb chicken breast - diced or shredded. Use 1-2 pounds.
- 1 onion - medium
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 8 flour tortillas - 8 inch each
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese - shredded
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 15 ounce chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounce chopped green chilis
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° convection or 400° conventional.
- Trim and dice about 1 ½ pound skinless boneless chicken breast into about ½ inch or smaller pieces—dice one medium onion.
- Add one tablespoon oil to a large frypan over medium-high heat, and when hot, add chicken and onion together. Cook until the chicken is appears done—about 5 minutes.
- Spray a 9 by 13 baking dish with PAM. Heat 8 tortillas (8 inches) in a microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften. Assemble the enchiladas. Add about ¼ cup of chicken/onion (more if you increased the chicken) and about two tablespoons of Monterrey Jack cheese on a tortilla. Place this not in the center but about at the ⅓ mark,
- Roll the short end over the filling tightly. Place them seam-side down in the baking pan. Repeat until done.
- In a medium saucepan, melt four tablespoons ( ½ stick) of butter over medium heat. When melted, add ¼ cup flour. Whisk together and cook for a few minutes.
- Add one can of chicken broth, continuously whisk until thickened, and then a few minutes more.
- Remove from heat and add 1 cup sour cream and 1 (4 ounces) can of chopped green chilis.
- Pour the sauce over the assembled enchiladas. Top with 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbling—about 20 minutes. Check internal temperature; if not above 165°, cover with foil, and bake until you reach 165°.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- I suggest 1 ½ pounds of chicken. It could be as little as 1 pound or as much as 2 pounds. Diced or shredded. Get your chicken where you can. Cook as directed or use precooked like a rotisserie chicken.
- The tortillas will be much more flexible if warmed slightly in the microwave.
- This is a bit bland, so you can spice it up some. See the post for options.
- I like the Monterey Jack cheese here but use what you want.
- Cook to a nice brown top, but also check the internal temperature to be sure the chicken has reached the safe 165° temperature. Cook longer covered with foil if needed.
- After cooking, store refrigerated for 2-3 days or frozen for 3-4 months. Can be frozen uncooked for 3-4 months. To refrigerate uncooked, assemble the enchiladas but add the sauce and cheese just before cooking.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Originally published April 6, 2014. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation. Instructions are also reworded to clarify points.
Jon steiger says
What is the chicken broth used in? It is not in the recipe directions
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
In the white sauce after making the roux. Instruction #7,
Dan
Patti says
This looks like a familiar soup recipe I make often. I’d rather make the sauce from scratch, but it was already a last minute choice for dinner.
One thing I’ve done for the past several years, after my husband had quadruple bypass surgery, is to substitute nonfat Greek Yogurt, preferably Fage. Their yogurt is very thick and tasty. No one has been able to tell the difference, lol!
Have you heard of anyone trying this? I’ve done this for over 10 years, even with my enchiladas.
Linda Hansen says
I made this tonight. While it had a really good flavor overall, it didn't have quite the "heat" I was anticipating although I added Pepper Jack cheese (which I shredded) and a Hot Cheese from Kroger along with the Monterey Jack cheese called for in the recipe. The next time I make this, I will be adding in some "mild" jalapeno peppers and ground red pepper to add heat. I also think the roue was a bit thicker than it should have been, so I will be adding some milk to make the sauce creamier.
Terrese Norman says
I cut the recipe in half. It was very good. Next time I will make a few changes like adding green verde salsa so that the sauce is not so thick. I also used pepper jack cheese.
Robin says
This just looks so delicious. Putting the ingredients on the grocery list! I so appreciate your pictures of all the steps. Most sites don't do that, lots of pics of the finished product though. It helps ensure that readers can turn out the recipe as you made it, so I really appreciate that and the smaller recipes. Everything I've made from you has turned out wonderfully, thank you.
Leslie Koury says
I visit your site frequently as I cook for a household of ONE...not easy to do. Your tips and suggestions are very helpful and your recipes very good. I have a recipe very similar to this one but I have a secret weapon to make it fabulous...fresh, roasted chili or frozen green chili! I am fortunate enough to be able to purchase roasted Hatch chili, in season, at roadside stands. I know it's unavailable in many parts of the country but ask your grocer if it can be ordered for you. If you have chili-lovin' friends, order a case and share it out. Your grocer might be more willing to get it in for you if he doesn't have to sit on inventory that won't sell. Or, buy fresh if available and roast in oven or grill. Once you taste fresh green chili, you'll never be able to go back to canned.
Leah says
Dr Dan
I started out looking for something to do with my Freezer burned chicken. Found your recipe!! Wow! The wonderful smells coming out of the chicken. And that was only doing the first part. This morning got up, shredded the chicken added all the seasonings. My husband couldn’t wait so we sampled it on tortilla chips with cheese and a jalapeño- chicken nachos. Then tonight I used the chicken in your sour cream chicken enchiladas- I just skipped down to the sauce. It made a great combo. There’s enough chicken left over so we are thinking chicken tacos later this week. So glad I found your blog!! Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes. Thank you.
Suzanne says
Has anyone frozen this particular recipe? I need to know! This is in my make list in a couple days if I can freeze and would I freeze before I bake or after I bake? Thx!!!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Suzanne,
Welcome to the blog.
This is not something I have done but it should be fine frozen. I would freeze before cooking.
I have done lasagna, where I will cook at 350 covered with foil for about one hour, uncover and cook until browned nicely. I suspect it would be about the same here but this is thinner. So less time covered.
One rule of thumb I have heard in the past is to add about 20 minutes to the cooking time. Not covered. I would normally cook the lasagna about 40 minutes covered and then uncover until browned. So that seems about right.
Dan
Judy Uhl says
Forgot to come back and rate this recipe! It's awesome. Fairly quick and easy and tastes great! Where's the margaritas??
Jill M says
Hi Dan: Made this last night and it turned out really good. This is the first time that I made enchiladas that did not fall apart. Very Tasty. The only problem that I had was that the bottoms got a little overdone, and I apparently rolled them a little too tight and some of the tortillas were a little doughy and not completely done. We have 4 left and I want to have them again tomorrow night with the yellow rice that I prepared and wondered it I should put them back in the oven and cook them a little longer. If so, how? Thanks. Love the dogs.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Jill,
I would reheat them in the oven. I would put them higher the oven so the bottom doesn't cook much. The doughy tortillas won't do well in a microwave.
Dan
mark b says
As always Doc, you have a lot of amazingly simple recipes that are easier and better tasting than the so called "pros". Thanks again.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Mark,
Glad you enjoyed it. It is very tasty.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Kim says
I’ve recently started cooking several chicken breasts each week (with salt, pepper, onion powder, minced garlic, and olive oil) to use with multiple meals, and this is my FAVORITE recipe to use it in! I love that I can assemble it in the morning to save time in the crazy evening hours too. My 15 month old and five year old both love it, and my husband eats multiple helpings with salsa to add a little heat. Thanks for a great recipe!
DrDan says
Hi Kim,
Welcome to the blog.
I do love simple recipes like this that can be made ahead. And since it is not a "spicy" Mexican, even the kids will love it. Glad you enjoy it.
Thanks for the note.
Dan