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3 BEST Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

When I think about the perfect weeknight rescue meal, my mind immediately goes to Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas. Seriously, these things are pure comfort food magic! If you’re anything like me, you need dinners that taste gourmet but come together without making you want to pull your hair out after a long day.

Hi there! I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes made with heart and flavor that you and your family will love. I’ve spent years perfecting dishes that look impressive but rely on simple, honest cooking techniques. That’s why I feel so confident sharing this recipe with you; I’ve tested and tweaked every step to ensure you get that rich, velvety sauce and perfectly tender chicken every single time. This isn’t just about following steps; it’s about building flavor that lasts!

These Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas are the dish I turn to when I need something satisfying that everyone—from my picky nephew to my husband—will clean their plate over. Let’s get cooking!

Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas - detail 1

Why You Will Make These Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas Often

I know your evenings are hectic, which is why I designed this recipe to be your new secret weapon. You’ll find yourself turning to these Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas week after week because they truly deliver maximum flavor for minimum fuss. Trust me, once you see how easy they are, you’ll be hooked!

  • Quick Assembly for Busy Evenings

    We’re talking about getting this entire dish prepped and into the oven in under 30 minutes, which is incredible for such a rich meal. You bake the chicken while you quickly whip up the sauce—it’s so efficient!

  • Family Approved Flavor Profile

    This isn’t a spicy, complicated dish; it’s pure, savory comfort. The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and that velvety sauce is a guaranteed win for every age group at your table.

  • Simple Ingredients for Your Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

    You don’t need to run to specialty stores for this recipe. Everything—from the chicken broth to the sour cream—is easily found in any standard grocery aisle. That means less stress when you’re planning dinner!

Gathering What You Need for Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Okay, let’s get our mise en place sorted! Before we even think about preheating the oven, we need to make sure we have all our stars lined up. I always lay everything out on the counter so I can see exactly what I’m working with. When you’re making something as foundational as these Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas, the quality and preparation of your ingredients really shine through, especially in that sauce!

It helps to have your chicken already seasoned and ready to bake, and your cheese measured out. Don’t skip the specific notes below, because having things prepped exactly right prevents any scrambling later on. Here is the exact list of what you need to gather for this incredible meal.

Ingredient List for the Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas Sauce and Filling

Make sure you have these amounts ready to go. Remember, the chicken needs to be baked first, so prep that ahead of time if you can!

Item Quantity Notes/Preparation
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 2 pounds Seasoned with salt, cumin, and garlic powder before baking.
Flour Tortillas 8 Soft taco size, flour preferred.
Butter 3 tablespoons For starting the roux.
All Purpose Flour 3 tablespoons To thicken the sauce base.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth 2 cups Whisked in slowly.
Monterey Jack Cheese 2 cups total Divided: 1 cup for the filling, 1 cup for the sauce. Must be shredded.
Sour Cream 3/4 cup Stirred in at the end for creaminess.
Diced Green Chiles 1 (4 oz) can Drained or undrained, your preference!

Equipment Required for Perfect Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

You don’t need a ton of fancy gear for these, which is another win! Just grab the basics. Having these ready means you can move smoothly from cooking the chicken to mixing the sauce without hunting around the kitchen. Trust me, it makes the whole process feel calmer.

  • A standard 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
  • A baking sheet for cooking your chicken breasts initially.
  • A medium saucepan for building that gorgeous white sauce.
  • A sturdy whisk—you’ll need it for the roux!
  • Mixing bowls for the chicken filling and for combining the sauce ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Alright, this is where the magic happens! We’re going to tackle this in four easy chunks. If you follow these steps closely, especially how we build that sauce, you’ll see why everyone raves about these Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas. Don’t rush the sauce part; that’s the foundation of the whole dish!

Preparing the Tender Shredded Chicken

First things first, we need perfectly cooked chicken. Preheat your oven right now to 350°F and make sure you’ve lightly greased that 9 by 13 inch baking dish so we’re ready when the chicken comes out. Take your chicken breasts and give them a good rub down with salt, cumin, and garlic powder. Don’t be shy with the seasoning! Pop them on a baking sheet and bake them for about 22 to 25 minutes. The most important thing here is the temperature: pull them out when they hit 165°F internally at the thickest spot. Let them rest for a full five minutes before you shred them. This resting time keeps all the juices locked inside, making your chicken super tender.

Assembling the Tortillas for Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

While the chicken is resting, get your filling ready. In a bowl, mix that one cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese with all your beautifully shredded chicken. Stir it up until everything looks combined and cheesy. Now, take your eight soft flour tortillas. Divide that chicken mixture evenly among them, roll them up tightly, and place them seam-side down in that prepared baking dish. They should fit snugly; this helps them hold their shape when they bake.

Crafting the Rich White Sauce

This sauce is what sets these apart! In a saucepan over medium heat, melt your three tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the three tablespoons of flour and that teaspoon of cumin. You need to cook this roux for about one minute, whisking constantly until it smells a little nutty and looks smooth—this step cooks out the raw flour taste, which is crucial for a silky sauce. Next, slowly, slowly whisk in your two cups of chicken broth. Keep whisking until it bubbles gently and thickens up nicely, probably about three or four minutes. Once it’s thick, pull the heat way down to low. Now gently stir in the remaining cup of shredded cheese until it melts completely. Finally, stir in the sour cream and the diced green chiles until the whole sauce is smooth and uniform. Taste it! It should be savory and rich.

Baking and Resting Your Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Pour that gorgeous white sauce evenly over all your rolled tortillas in the dish. Make sure every little corner is covered! Pop the whole thing into the 350°F oven, uncovered, and bake it for 20 minutes. You’re looking for it to be bubbly all over and piping hot. This is the hardest part: once it’s out, you must let them rest for five minutes before serving. This short rest allows the sauce to settle just a bit so you don’t have a soupy mess when you cut into your amazing Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas.

Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas - detail 2

Tips for Success Making Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Even the best recipes sometimes need a little nudge based on your pantry or the humidity that day! I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to keep these Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas perfect, no matter what. Don’t stress if your sauce seems a bit off—it’s usually an easy fix.

Achieving the Ideal Sauce Consistency

If you find your sauce ended up too thick after you added the sour cream, don’t panic! You can thin it right out by whisking in a tablespoon or two of extra chicken broth or even a splash of milk until it reaches that perfect, pourable consistency. If, by some miracle, it’s too thin (usually happens if your broth was extra watery), just mix a tiny bit of flour with cold water and whisk that slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens up again.

Preventing Tortillas from Tearing

Flour tortillas can sometimes be stiff, especially if they’ve been sitting out too long, and nobody wants a torn tortilla when rolling! If yours feel brittle, just warm them up for about 10 seconds per side in a dry, hot skillet or even quickly in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel. That little bit of steam makes them pliable and stops them from cracking when you roll them tightly around that cheesy chicken filling.

Common Questions About Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

I get a lot of questions when people try this recipe for the first time, especially because everyone wants their Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas to be absolutely perfect. It’s natural to wonder about swaps, so let’s cover the most frequent things folks ask me about!

Can I Use Different Cheese in My Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas?

You absolutely can! Monterey Jack melts beautifully and has that mild flavor we’re going for, but if you don’t have it, a good quality Pepper Jack will give you a tiny bit of warmth. You could also use mild Colby or even a Mexican blend. Just make sure whatever cheese you use is good for melting so you keep that creamy texture we worked so hard to achieve in the sauce!

What Can I Serve With These Enchiladas?

Since these enchiladas are pretty rich and hearty, I like to keep the sides light. A simple cilantro-lime rice is fantastic for soaking up any extra sauce. Or, if you want something fresh, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Corn is also a great addition if you have fresh on hand!

How Do I Store Leftover Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas?

If you happen to have any leftovers—which is rare in my house!—storing them is super simple. Just make sure you check the next section below for the best way to keep them fresh for reheating later. They pack up neatly right in the baking dish!

Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers

I always hope there are leftovers because these taste amazing the next day, too! You want to make sure you cool them down quickly before storing them properly so that creamy sauce stays fresh. Here is the fastest way to keep them safe until you want round two.

Action Details
Storage Time Up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheating (Oven) Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until hot.
Reheating (Microwave) Cover loosely with a paper towel and microwave in short bursts until warm.

Sharing Your Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas Experience

I truly hope making these rich and comforting Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas brought a little bit of ease to your evening. I always love hearing how things turned out for you! If you found a new family favorite here, please leave a rating below. Knowing what you thought really helps others decide to try this recipe next!

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Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

3 BEST Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas


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  • Author: anna kowalska
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Creamy white chicken enchiladas baked with a rich sauce and tender chicken. An easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 inch thick
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 8 soft taco size flour tortillas
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 3 quarters cup sour cream
  • 1 four ounce can diced green chiles

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt cumin and garlic powder. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest 5 minutes then shred.
  3. In a bowl combine shredded chicken with 1 cup shredded cheese and mix evenly.
  4. Divide filling among tortillas roll tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish.
  5. In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter then whisk in flour and cumin. Cook 1 minute until smooth.
  6. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and cook 3 to 4 minutes until thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until melted then gently stir in sour cream and green chiles until smooth.
  8. Pour sauce evenly over enchiladas.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
  10. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: Unknown
  • Sodium: Unknown
  • Fat: 28 grams
  • Saturated Fat: Unknown
  • Unsaturated Fat: Unknown
  • Trans Fat: Unknown
  • Carbohydrates: 32 grams
  • Fiber: Unknown
  • Protein: 36 grams
  • Cholesterol: Unknown

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