Food and Recipes Dinner Creamy Chicken Enchiladas 4.9 (15) 14 Reviews These cheesy, creamy chicken enchiladas come together in a flash. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 17, 2024 Save Rate PRINT Share Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hr Servings: 4 to 5 Jump to recipe If you're looking for an easy Tex-Mex main dish, try these creamy chicken enchiladas. Eight ingredients and under 15 minutes of prep time are all you need to get these enchiladas happily bubbling away in the oven. To make this crowd-pleasing dish, a rich combination of buttery onions and green chiles, melty cream cheese, and chopped, cooked chicken breast is portioned into flour tortillas and rolled up tight. After transferring to a baking dish, the tortillas are topped with Monterey Jack cheese for a cheesy topping. We call this recipe creamy chicken enchiladas for a reason—cream is poured over the dish before baking, creating an irresistibly rich sauce when the gooey, golden brown enchiladas are pulled from the oven. Top with sliced green onions if desired for a pop of color and flavor before serving. Learn how to make creamy chicken enchiladas, and introduce a new favorite to the family tonight. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Enchiladas To make these creamy chicken enchiladas, you'll need just eight ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand: Butter or margarine: To add richness and help cook the onion and chiles. Onion: Builds flavor in the enchilada filling. Green chiles: Adds a mild chile flavor and hint of color to the dish. Cream cheese: For a tangy, creamy filling. Cooked chicken breast: Can substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken, as well as leftover turkey or pulled pork. Flour tortillas: Can substitute with corn tortillas, if preferred. Note you may need to warm the corn tortillas in the microwave between damp paper towels to help prevent cracking while rolling. Monterey Jack cheese: For a gooey, cheesy topping. Can substitute with a Mexican blend, white Cheddar, or favorite type of shredded cheese. Whipping cream: Poured over the enchiladas before baking to help create a rich, creamy sauce. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle How To Make Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Under 15 minutes of active time is all it takes to get this satisfying dinner in the oven. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Cook onion and green chiles: Melt butter in a large skillet; add onion, and sauté 5 minutes. Add chiles; sauté 1 minute.Step 2. Add cream cheese and chicken: Stir in cream cheese and chicken.Step 3. Fill tortillas: Spoon into center of each tortilla.Step 4. Add filled tortillas to baking dish: Roll up tortillas, and place, seam side down, in a greased baking dish.Step 5. Add cheese and whipping cream: Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with cream.Step 6. Bake enchiladas: Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Can I Make Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Ahead? To make these enchiladas ahead, prepare through Step 4. Refrigerate for up to two days, or freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Bring to room temperature while the oven preheats, then top with cheese and cream and bake as directed. How To Store and Reheat Leftover Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Refrigerate leftover enchiladas in an airtight container for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months. Reheat in a preheated 350ºF oven or microwave until hot throughout before serving. What To Serve With Creamy Chicken Enchiladas These creamy chicken enchiladas are the perfect base for a hearty weeknight meal. Serve alongside refried beans, Mexican rice, or taco soup, or keep things easy with a side of salsa and chips, a salad, or your favorite veggies. Consider serving these enchiladas with a variety of toppings for even more interest: sliced green onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, cilantro, ripe avocado, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, lime wedges, or pico de gallo would all add brightness to this creamy dish. More Tex-Mex Dinner Recipes You'll Love From tamale pie to nachos, these hearty dishes are all family-friendly and totally crave-worthy: Beef Tamale Pie Chile Cheese Enchiladas Easy Taco Casserole Pulled Pork Nachos Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos Skillet Beef Enchiladas Sheet Pan Fajitas Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 medium onion, chopped 1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, cut up and softened 3 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast 8 (8-in.) flour tortillas 2 (8-oz.) packages Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 2 cups whipping cream Directions Cook onion and green chiles: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion, and sauté 5 minutes. Add green chiles; sauté 1 minute. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Add cream cheese and chicken: Stir in cream cheese and chicken; cook, stirring constantly, until cream cheese melts. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Fill tortillas: Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Add filled tortillas to baking dish: Roll up tortillas, and place, seam side down, in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Add cheese and whipping cream: Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Drizzle with whipping cream. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Bake enchiladas: Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Frequently Asked Questions Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? These enchiladas should be cooked uncovered to encourage browning in the oven. Can I use corn tortillas for creamy chicken enchiladas? You can substitute the flour tortillas for corn tortillas for these enchiladas if preferred. You may need to heat them lightly in the microwave (between damp paper towels) before rolling to prevent cracking. Why are my enchiladas soggy? These chicken enchiladas are meant to have an indulgently creamy finish. If you're looking for a less saucy result, cut back on the quantity of cream to help the tortillas crisp up nicely in the oven. What else can I add to flavor creamy chicken enchiladas? Feel free to amp up the flavor of the filling by adding garlic, pepper, chili powder, or other seasonings as desired. You can even bulk things up by cooking mushrooms, peppers, or corn along with the onions when preparing the filling. Save Rate Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more