Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded (about 3–4 cups shredded)
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt, 2% or full-fat)
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a blend)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil (if needing to sauté onion/garlic separately)
For the Healthy White Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose blend)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt, 2% or full-fat)
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced mild green chiles, undrained
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Assembly:
- 10–12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (whole wheat, regular, or low-carb) or corn tortillas
- 1.5 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or a blend like Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or white cheddar), preferably reduced-fat
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken (if not already cooked):
- You can boil, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until cooked through.
- To Boil: Place chicken in a pot, cover with water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until no longer pink.
- To Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Season chicken with salt, pepper, and a little cumin. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Once cooked, let the chicken cool slightly, then shred it using two forks or your fingers. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed is a quick way to shred warm chicken.
2. Sauté Aromatics (Optional, but Recommended for Filling):
- If your chicken is already cooked and you want to enhance the filling, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add the 1/2 cup diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic (if using fresh) and cook for another minute until fragrant. If using garlic powder, you can add it directly to the chicken mixture.
3. Prepare the Chicken Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sautéed onion and garlic (if using, or add garlic powder here), 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt), 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Set aside.
4. Make the Healthy White Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, to form a light roux. Don’t let it brown too much.
- Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking frequently, until it begins to thicken slightly (about 3-5 minutes).
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the 1 cup of sour cream (or Greek yogurt), the can of undrained diced green chiles, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be creamy and pourable. If it’s too thick, you can whisk in a tablespoon or two of milk or more broth.
5. Assemble the Enchiladas:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread about 1/2 cup of the white sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This prevents the enchiladas from sticking and helps them cook evenly.
- Warm the tortillas slightly to make them more pliable. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-45 seconds, or by quickly warming them in a dry skillet.
- Working one at a time, lay a tortilla flat. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the chicken filling down the center of the tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly around the filling and place it seam-down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them snugly in the dish.
6. Bake the Enchiladas:
- Pour the remaining white sauce evenly over the assembled enchiladas, ensuring they are well-covered.
- Sprinkle the 1.5 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or your chosen blend) evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly golden. If you want the cheese more browned, you can switch to the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
7. Rest and Serve:
- Let the enchiladas rest for 5-10 minutes after removing them from the oven. This allows the sauce to set slightly and makes them easier to serve.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or avocado if desired. Serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 450-550