Go Back

Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Tender shredded chicken wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in a rich white sauce made with cream cheese, sour cream, and melted Monterey Jack cheese.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie chicken works perfectly
  • 8-10 medium flour tortillas
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese divided
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup finely diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • medium saucepan
  • whisk
  • large mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until pale golden.
  3. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in softened cream cheese, sour cream, and diced green chilies with their juices. Mix until completely smooth and creamy with no lumps, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken with 1 cup of the prepared white sauce and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix thoroughly.
  7. Warm tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Spoon about ¼ cup of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  8. Pour remaining white sauce evenly over the assembled enchiladas. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and developing golden spots.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Substitutions: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for lighter version. Try pepper jack cheese for more spice. Corn tortillas work but require careful warming. Make-Ahead: Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to bake time if cooking from cold.