White Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy, cheesy white chicken enchiladas smothered in a sour cream sauce that will ruin red enchiladas for you forever.

Why This White Chicken Enchiladas Works

Getting the chicken right is all about high heat and proper seasoning. A good sear locks in moisture while the sauce adds layers of flavor that make this taste like a restaurant dish.

White Chicken Enchiladas hero shot

These enchiladas skip the red sauce for a rich, creamy white sauce made with sour cream, green chiles, and melted cheese. Stuffed with shredded chicken and rolled in flour tortillas, they bake into a bubbly, golden pan of comfort. This green chile enchiladas is a keeper.

Shred your chicken and make that creamy sauce. Let’s make it together.

Ingredients for White Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients

White Chicken Enchiladas

  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Optional add-ins:

  • Black beans
  • Corn
  • Jalapenos
  • Diced onion

Step by step process for making White Chicken Enchiladas

How to Make White Chicken Enchiladas

  1. Sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth. Stir in sour cream, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 3 minutes until heated through.
  2. Fill. Toss shredded chicken with 1 cup of Monterey Jack and 1/2 cup of the white sauce. Divide evenly among the tortillas and roll them up.
  3. Arrange. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Place the rolled enchiladas seam-side down. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
  4. Bake. Bake at 375F for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let sit 5 minutes, then garnish with cilantro.

Tips for the Best White Chicken Enchiladas

  • Rotisserie chicken is the fastest way to get shredded chicken for this recipe.
  • Flour tortillas hold up better than corn tortillas with the creamy white sauce.
  • Don’t boil the sour cream sauce or it can curdle. Keep it on medium heat.
  • Cover with foil for the first 15 minutes, then uncover to let the cheese brown.
  • Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce sets up slightly.

Fun Variations to Try

  • Add black beans and corn to the chicken filling for a heartier version.
  • Use green enchilada sauce instead of the white sauce for a tangy twist.
  • Swap chicken for shredded pork or ground turkey.
  • Make them vegetarian with a filling of sauteed peppers, onions, and beans.
  • Top with pickled jalapenos before baking for heat.

Close up of White Chicken Enchiladas

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Steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad are all excellent sides that complement this dish perfectly.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Yes, you can swap the protein for chicken, shrimp, tofu, or whatever you prefer. Adjust the cook time as needed.
Use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken should reach 165F, salmon 145F, and shrimp should be pink and opaque.

White Chicken Enchiladas

A delicious homemade white chicken enchiladas recipe.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Method
 

  1. Sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth. Stir in sour cream, green chiles, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 3 minutes until heated through.
  2. Fill. Toss shredded chicken with 1 cup of Monterey Jack and 1/2 cup of the white sauce. Divide evenly among the tortillas and roll them up.
  3. Arrange. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place the rolled enchiladas seam-side down. Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
  4. Bake. Bake at 375F for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let sit 5 minutes, then garnish with cilantro.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken is the fastest way to get shredded chicken for this recipe. Flour tortillas hold up better than corn tortillas with the creamy white sauce. Don't boil the sour cream sauce or it can curdle. Keep it on medium heat.

FAQ

You can, but flour tortillas work better with the creamy sauce. Corn tortillas tend to get soggy and fall apart.
Yes. Assemble the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake from cold, adding 5 to 10 extra minutes.
The sour cream may have been added to a sauce that was too hot. Let the flour-broth mixture cool slightly before stirring in the sour cream.
Yes. Assemble and wrap the dish tightly with foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375F for 40 to 45 minutes.



	
	

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