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Chicken Lime Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas covered in melty cheese and flavored with zesty lime are begging to be added to your meal plan this week. With tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat, these easy Chicken Enchiladas make everyone happy at dinnertime! 

I have a thing for cheese. And foods covered in cheese. And foods stuffed with cheese. Basically, if cheese is involved in any way, shape or form, sign me up. 

But right now let’s talk about enchiladas. Specifically, let’s talk enchiladas stuffed with tender chicken and smothered in a creamy cheesy tangy sauce. Topped with sour cream, jalapenos and fresh tomatoes, Chicken Lime Enchiladas are everything I want in a Mexican inspired meal! 

Chicken Enchiladas 

Somewhere between a casserole and a taco, enchiladas make just about everybody happy.  While I love all kinds of enchilada recipes, including Beef Enchiladas and vegetarian Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas, I think Chicken Enchiladas might steal the top spot for me. 

Just about everyone loves chicken and I’ve yet to meet a dinner guest who’ll turn down a plate of enchiladas. That makes Chicken Enchiladas a surefire hit whether I’m serving them to my own family or to company. 

Shredded chicken and cheese rolled in a flour tortilla (you can also use corn tortillas) is already a recipe for a delicious dinner. When you add a creamy spicy sauce and more cheese, these enchiladas become next-level tasty. 

Served as a meal on their own or with a side of Cilantro Lime Rice, these Chicken Lime Enchiladas are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

The biggest danger with many enchilada recipes is the enchiladas drying out as they bake in the oven. No one wants to chew through a dry tough tortilla when trying to get to the tender cheesy chicken inside!

This recipe solves that potential problem with a creamy enchilada sauce that goes right on top before baking. This makes a nice change from the typical red chile enchilada sauce that’s every bit as spicy and flavorful. 

If you like these creamy chicken enchiladas, you’re also sure to love Chicken Avocado Enchiladas! 

Ingredients for Chicken Enchiladas 

Don’t let the long ingredients list fool you. This enchilada recipes is easy enough for a busy weeknight meal, especially if you have leftover cooked chicken on hand.

You’ll need. . . 

• Flour tortillas (burrito sized)
• Cooked and shredded chicken breasts
•  Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheese
• Garlic
• Butter
• Corn starch
• Chicken broth
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cumin 
• Black pepper
• Jalapeno 
• Lime juice 
• Sour cream
• Cilantro, lettuce, tomato and avocado (for garnish)

How to Make Chicken Lime Enchiladas

1. In a small bowl mix shredded chicken with 1 cup of the cheese blend pressed garlic. Fill 6 tortillas equally. Roll the tortillas and lay in a 9×9 square baking dish.
2. In a small saucepan on medium heat, melt butter completely. Whisk in the corn starch and cook for one minute. Whisk in broth, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until mixture becomes thick. Quickly add onion and garlic powder, cumin, jalapeno, lime juice, salt and pepper. Fold in sour cream and remove from heat.
3. Pour mixture over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven, uncovered.
4. Serve with chopped cilantro, lettuce, tomato and diced avocado. Enjoy!

Leftovers keep well covered in the fridge for a couple of days. We like the enchiladas so much that we rarely end up with leftovers! 

Recipe Notes

• I used burrito sized flour tortillas for this recipe. You could also substitute corn tortillas or fajita sized flour tortillas, but you will need to use more of them. 
• Tip: heat tortillas in the microwave for 10 – 15 seconds for easier rolling! This is especially useful if you use corn tortillas, which tend to break more easily when rolling. 
• I like using leftover chicken breasts from other meals to make this recipe even easier. For a quick weeknight option when you don’t have chicken ready to go, grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store! 
• Homemade Taco Seasoning can be subbed for the spices in the recipe, if you like. 
• Feel free to double the recipe and use two baking dishes if you’re feeding a crowd. 
• Try topping the enchiladas with a little Easy Pico de Gallo recipe or Guacamole as a fun alternative to (or addition to) the other garnishes.

Want more Mexican inspired dishes?

If you’ve ready this blog for any length of time you’ve probably noticed that I don’t shy away from the Mexican flavors. Along with my chicken enchiladas, I love these Slow Cooker Tequila Chicken Tacos, Stuffed Taco Shells and Easy Crock Pot Pork Carnitas, to name just a few. 

Can’t get enough enchiladas? Me either. Give Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup a try to warm your belly and soul on a chilly day. You’ll also enjoy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Chili and this Chicken Enchilada Mac and Cheese.

More Mexican Inspired Dinners

• Crockpot Fajitas
• Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Turkey Taco Soup
• Taco Pizza
• Instant Pot Barbacoa

More Easy Dinner Recipes:

• Ravioli Lasagna
• Pesto Pasta
• Fish Tacos
• Crockpot Enchilada

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 servings

Chicken Lime Enchiladas

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Chicken enchiladas covered in melty cheese and flavored with zesty lime are begging to be added to your meal plan this week. With tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat, these easy Chicken Enchiladas make everyone happy at dinnertime! 

Ingredients

• 6 flour tortillas, burrito sized (or 12 small tortillas)
• 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 12 oz shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 Tbsp corn starch
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 5 cranks fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lime, juiced
• 8oz sour cream
• cilantro, lettuce, tomato and avocado for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small bowl mix shredded chicken with 1 cup of the cheese and the pressed garlic. Fill 6 tortillas equally. Roll the tortillas and lay in a 9x9 square baking dish. You can also do two rows of small tortillas as pictured.
2. In a small saucepan on medium heat, melt butter completely. Whisk in the corn starch and cook for one minute. Whisk in broth, stirring constantly. Keep stirring until mixture becomes thick. Quickly add onion and garlic powder, cumin, jalapeno, lime juice, salt and pepper. Fold in sour cream and remove from heat.
3. Pour mixture over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree oven, uncovered.
4. Serve with chopped cilantro, lettuce, tomato and diced avocado. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 782 Total Fat: 46g Saturated Fat: 24g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 18g Cholesterol: 155mg Sodium: 1529mg Carbohydrates: 50g Fiber: 6g Sugar: 4g Protein: 43g

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

Recipe originally published May 21, 2012

These creamy Chicken Lime Enchiladas just might become your new favorite dinner time staple. Give them a try tonight! 

Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator. Her recipes have been featured in over 15 magazines, and her passion is to share her love of cooking with the everyday home cook! Learn more about Aimee.

www.shugarysweets.com

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