Chicken Enchiladas
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Tortillas: I typically use store-bought corn tortillas, but you could also use flour tortillas if you prefer. If you want to make your own, here’s a recipe for homemade corn tortillas and easy flour tortillas.
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Enchilada Sauce: I highly recommend making your own enchilada sauce if you can! If you’re looking for a quick tex-mex version, here’s an easy enchilada sauce made from chile powder, tomato paste and broth. And here’s my family’s authentic enchilada sauce made from whole dried chiles and Mexican chocolate. Both are easy to make and freezer friendly, which is perfect if you want to make a big batch.
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Shredded Chicken: You can use any leftover shredded chicken you have in the fridge. If you don’t have any, here’s an easy recipe for shredded chicken that you can make right at home. If you don’t have time to make your own, I recommend buying a cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and shredding it at home.
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Shredded Cheese: I typically use the pre-shredded “Mexican-style” cheese that is easily found in most grocery stores. If you’re looking to go super authentic and use real Mexican cheeses, I recommend a mixture of Oaxaca or Asadero.
Recipe
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Preheat oven to 350ºF.
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In a large bowl, combine cooked shredded chicken with 1/4 cup enchilada sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Warm the tortillas in a microwave for 1 minute, flipping the them halfway through until they’re warm and pliable.
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Assemble the enchiladas by filling each tortilla evenly with the shredded chicken mixture and a generous pinch of shredded cheese. Roll them tightly to close and place in a large baking dish seam side down.
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Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and then top them with the remaining cheese.
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Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve
History
Enchiladas date back to the Mayans. Corn was a staple crop at the time and corn tortillas were common. These were originally called tlaxcalli. The Spanish conquistadors changed the name from tlaxcalli to tortilla upon their arrival to the Western Hemisphere. The conquistadors documented a feast in which participants served a type of enchilada. Later, the first Mexican cookbook, El Cocinero Mexicano, recorded accounts of this dish. Originally, the dish was an empty corn tortilla dipped in chili sauce. Over time, people stuffed the tortillas with various meats and cheeses and became the enchilada became the dish we know and love today.