Cheesy Chicken Delight Enchiladas
Discover the ultimate comfort food with these Cheesy Chicken Delight Enchiladas! What initially sounds unconventional—dill pickles and black olives—creates an incredible flavor profile that takes your tastebuds on a delightful journey. This dish combines tender shredded chicken, creamy textures, and a melty cheesy topping, making it the perfect crowd-pleaser for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Prepare to be amazed by how these surprisingly harmonious ingredients come together to create the best enchiladas you've ever tasted. Serve with your favorite sides and savor the smiles around the table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole Chicken
1 (Boiled and shredded)
Red Enchilada Sauce
2 (28 ounce) cans (Prepare for pouring over enchiladas)
Dill Pickle Slices
1 (24 ounce) jar (Diced)
Medium Pitted Black Olives
2 (6 ounce) cans (Halved)
Small White Corn Tortillas
36 count package (Heated briefly in microwave)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
4 (8 ounce) packages (Divided for filling and topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large pot, boil the whole chicken until fully cooked, about 30-40 minutes. Remove the chicken, let it cool, then shred the meat off the bones and set it aside.
3
While the chicken cooks, dice the entire jar of dill pickle slices into small pieces and slice each black olive in half.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced pickles, halved olives, and 2 packages of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
5
Grease two 13x9 inch baking pans with cooking spray or olive oil.
6
Heat half of the corn tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds to make them pliable.
7
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, roll them up, and place them seam-side down in the prepared pans, arranging them snugly together.
8
Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas until all of the filling is used up, ensuring a tight fit in the pans.
9
Pour the red enchilada sauce evenly over all the enchiladas in both pans.
10
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the enchiladas are heated through.
12
Serve hot with rice and beans for a complete meal. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish with your loved ones!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Chicken Delight Enchiladas?
They are a comfort food dish combining shredded chicken, cheese, pickles, and olives inside corn tortillas, topped with red sauce and more cheese.
What unique ingredients are featured in this recipe?
The recipe uses an unconventional but delicious combination of diced dill pickles and sliced black olives to create a unique flavor profile.
How do I prepare the chicken for the enchiladas?
Boil a whole chicken in a large pot for 30 to 40 minutes until cooked, then shred the meat off the bones.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How many packages of cheese are needed?
The recipe requires four 8-ounce packages of shredded cheddar cheese.
How is the cheese used in the recipe?
Two packages of cheese are mixed into the chicken filling, and the remaining two packages are sprinkled over the top before baking.
What kind of tortillas are best for this dish?
The recipe calls for a 36-count package of small white corn tortillas.
How do I keep the tortillas from cracking when rolling?
Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds to make them pliable and easier to roll.
How should I prepare the dill pickles?
Dice the entire 24-ounce jar of dill pickle slices into small pieces before adding them to the filling.
How should the black olives be sliced?
Each medium pitted black olive should be sliced in half.
How much enchilada sauce is required?
You will need two 28-ounce cans of red enchilada sauce.
What size baking pans are recommended?
Use two 13x9 inch baking pans for this recipe.
How long do the enchiladas need to bake?
Bake the enchiladas for approximately 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Should the baking pans be greased?
Yes, grease the pans with cooking spray or olive oil before placing the rolled tortillas inside.
What are the best side dishes to serve with this?
These enchiladas are traditionally served with rice and beans for a complete meal.
How do I assemble the enchiladas?
Spoon the chicken mixture onto a tortilla, roll it up, and place it seam-side down in the prepared pan.
How many cans of olives are used?
The recipe calls for two 6-ounce cans of medium pitted black olives.
Is this recipe suitable for a large group?
Yes, with 36 tortillas and two large pans, it is an ideal crowd-pleaser for family gatherings.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While the recipe specifies cheddar, you can use other melting cheeses, though cheddar provides the intended flavor.
Do I put sauce inside the tortillas?
No, the sauce is poured evenly over the top of the assembled enchiladas before adding the final layer of cheese.
How should the enchiladas be arranged in the pan?
They should be arranged snugly together to ensure a tight fit in the baking pans.
Is the chicken shredded before or after mixing?
The chicken is shredded first, then combined with pickles, olives, and cheese in a mixing bowl.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: chicken, enchilada sauce, pickles, olives, tortillas, and cheese.
What is the prep work for the olives?
The olives should be drained and then halved.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of boiling a whole chicken?
While the recipe suggests boiling a whole chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used as a convenient alternative.
How many enchiladas does the recipe make?
The recipe makes approximately 36 enchiladas.
What flavor is the enchilada sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for red enchilada sauce.
Why are the pickles and olives included?
They provide a unique, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile that complements the creamy cheese and chicken.
Is this dish considered Mexican cuisine?
It is a Mexican-style dish, categorized as a savory bake or one-dish meal.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is typically fully cooked after 30 to 40 minutes of boiling.