Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas
Discover the rich, bold flavors of Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas, a delicious twist on the classic dish. This recipe combines juicy shredded chicken, a creamy blend of sour cream and cheddar, all enveloped in warm corn tortillas. A homemade green chili and tomato sauce infuses each bite with a delightful kick, making it a perfect meal for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a side of lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooking oil
2 tablespoons (for greasing skillet and 1/3 cup for dipping tortillas)
green chilies
2 (4 ounce) cans (chopped and seeded)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
canned tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (drained and broken up)
onions
2 cups (chopped)
salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
cooked chicken
3 cups (shredded)
sour cream
2 cups (for filling)
cheddar cheese
2 cups (grated, for filling and topping)
corn tortillas
15 (for wrapping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
2
In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
3
Remove seeds from the green chilies, if desired, and chop them finely.
4
Add the chopped chilies and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until fragrant.
5
Stir in the canned tomatoes, breaking them up as you add them, and reserve 1/2 cup of the tomato liquid.
6
Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt and the oregano. Simmer the mixture uncovered for about 30 minutes until thickened.
7
Once thickened, remove the sauce from heat and set aside.
8
In a separate bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken with the sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and the remaining teaspoon of salt.
9
In a separate pan, heat 1/3 cup of oil until hot. Briefly dip each corn tortilla in the oil until soft and pliable. Drain them well on paper towels.
10
Spoon the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, then roll them up tightly.
11
Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down in a greased 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish.
12
Pour the reserved chili sauce over the top of the enchiladas, spreading it evenly.
13
Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the sauce.
14
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas?
They are a flavorful twist on classic enchiladas featuring shredded chicken, a creamy sour cream and cheddar filling, and a homemade green chili and tomato sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
How long do the enchiladas need to bake?
Bake the enchiladas for about 20 minutes or until they are heated through and the cheese is melted.
What ingredients are in the chicken filling?
The filling is a combination of 3 cups shredded chicken, 2 cups sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
How is the enchilada sauce prepared?
The sauce is made by sautéing chopped green chilies and garlic, then simmering with canned tomatoes, reserved tomato liquid, salt, and oregano for 30 minutes.
What type of tortillas are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 15 corn tortillas.
How do you make the corn tortillas pliable for rolling?
Briefly dip each corn tortilla in hot oil until soft and pliable, then drain them well on paper towels.
What size baking dish is needed?
You will need a greased 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish.
How much cheddar cheese is required in total?
You need 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese: 1 cup for the filling and 1 cup for the topping.
Should the green chilies be seeded?
Yes, the seeds should be removed from the green chilies if desired before chopping them finely.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes until it has thickened.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken.
What is the role of the tomato liquid in the recipe?
You should reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid from the canned tomatoes to stir into the sauce mixture.
How do you assemble the enchiladas?
Spoon the chicken mixture onto each oil-dipped tortilla, roll them tightly, and place them seam-side down in the baking dish.
What toppings are recommended for serving?
The recipe suggests serving with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe includes 2 cups of chopped onions.
Is the sauce spicy?
The sauce contains green chilies and garlic, providing a delightful kick that can be adjusted by how many seeds you leave in the chilies.
Can I use dried oregano?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How much garlic is needed?
One clove of minced garlic is used to season the sauce.
What is the texture of the chicken filling?
The filling is creamy due to the combination of shredded chicken, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese.
Does this recipe include salt?
Yes, it uses 2 teaspoons of salt in total: one for the sauce and one for the chicken filling.
Can I substitute the oil used for dipping?
The recipe suggests standard cooking oil, but any high-smoke point oil suitable for frying will work.
Are the canned tomatoes drained?
Yes, the tomatoes are drained and broken up, but remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid.
What kind of cuisine is this dish?
This dish is categorized as Mexican cuisine and is a popular comfort food.
How should I layer the sauce and cheese?
Pour the reserved chili sauce over the top of the rolled enchiladas and then sprinkle the remaining cup of cheddar cheese over the sauce.
Is the cooking oil only for the sauce?
No, oil is used for both sautéing the sauce ingredients and for dipping the tortillas.
What is the main flavor profile of this dish?
The dish features bold flavors of cilantro and lime combined with a creamy, savory chicken filling.
How many green chilies are required?
The recipe calls for two 4-ounce cans of green chilies.
Can this be served for family gatherings?
Yes, with 6 servings and a rich flavor profile, it is described as perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.