The Best Barefoot Contessa Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Cheesy chicken enchiladas deliver comfort food at its most satisfying, with rich fillings and melty toppings.

Rolled tortillas cradle seasoned chicken, ready to be covered in sauce and baked until bubbling.

A blend of spices enhances the chicken while cheese brings a creamy finish.

Every bite has warmth, spice, and a little bit of crunch from the golden edges.

Customizing the heat level or mix-ins is easy, making this recipe flexible and family-friendly.

Perfect for leftovers, parties, or lazy Sundays.

Smart Storage for Leftover Enchiladas That Still Wow

• Long-Term Freezing: Seal enchiladas in heavy-duty freezer bags with all air removed, preventing freezer burn and maintaining flavor integrity. Label bags with date and contents for easy tracking and rotation.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Position enchiladas in shallow, wide containers allowing even cooling and preventing moisture accumulation. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess condensation and keep tortillas from becoming soggy.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Sprinkle fresh cheese on top before reheating to restore melted texture. Cover with damp paper towel in microwave to prevent drying out, ensuring enchiladas remain juicy and taste freshly prepared.

Add a Twist or Two to Your Next Enchilada Bake

• Vegetarian Veggie Explosion: Swap chicken with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, black beans, and corn for a hearty plant-based version that brings vibrant colors and textures to the classic enchilada recipe.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate diced fresh jalapeños into the chicken mixture and add extra hot sauce to create a fiery version that challenges heat-loving taste buds with an intense flavor profile.
• Green Chile Chicken Remix: Replace standard taco seasoning with green chile powder and add diced green chiles to intensify the southwestern flavors, creating a more nuanced and regional-inspired enchilada experience.
• Seafood Coastal Adaptation: Use shredded white fish or crab meat instead of chicken, and mix in some fresh lime zest and chopped cilantro to transform the enchiladas into a light, coastal-inspired dish that celebrates oceanic flavors.

End Your Day with a Bite of Cheesy Chicken Heaven

Cheesy chicken enchiladas from Barefoot Contessa promise pure Mexican-inspired comfort with remarkable culinary finesse.

Layers of melted cheese, tender chicken, and zesty sauce create an irresistible meal that transports palates straight to authentic southwestern kitchens.

Careful preparation guarantees maximum flavor in each delectable bite.

Traditional ingredients blend seamlessly, producing a sensational dinner experience.

Gourmet techniques elevate this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Spice-lovers and cheese enthusiasts will find these enchiladas utterly compelling – share this mouthwatering recipe, comment with your favorite tweaks, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

What’s So Cheesy and Good About These Enchiladas

• Craft Mouthwatering Layers: These enchiladas deliver an incredible combination of textures where soft tortillas embrace creamy cheese and tender chicken, creating a delightful bite that melts perfectly in your mouth.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Requiring just 45 minutes from start to finish, this recipe offers a stress-free cooking experience with simple steps that even beginner home cooks can master confidently.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Packed with multiple cheese varieties like cottage, cheddar, and Monterey Jack, these enchiladas provide a rich, gooey, and indulgent flavor profile that transforms an ordinary meal into a celebration of cheesy goodness.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe allows easy modifications with potential protein swaps, spice adjustments, or additional toppings, making it an adaptable dish perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.

Essentials for a Chicken Enchilada Night Done Right

• Chicken: Tender shredded meat as the main filling, preferably using skinless and boneless chicken breast for easy preparation.
• Cottage Cheese: Creamy base for the cheese mixture, adding rich texture and mild flavor.

• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Classic melting cheeses that provide sharp and smooth flavors, shredded for easy distribution.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps bind the cheese mixture.

• Green Chilies: Mild peppers that introduce subtle heat and southwestern character.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides depth and sweetness to the chicken mixture.

• Enchilada Sauce: Traditional red sauce that adds moisture and authentic Mexican flavor.
• Tortillas: Soft wheat tortillas for wrapping the filling, preferably medium-sized.

• Taco Seasoning: Pre-mixed spice blend that adds complex southwestern flavors.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste.

• Fresh Cilantro: Bright herb that adds fresh, citrusy finishing touch.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for sautéing vegetables.
• Water: Used to help mix and moisten the chicken mixture.

How to Bake Up Bold and Cheesy Enchiladas Tonight

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the rack is in the center position for even cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Chicken Filling

• Chopped onion
• Diced green chilies
• Taco seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• Water

Cook onions until soft and translucent. Add shredded chicken and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Blend Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Cottage cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Sour cream

Stir until ingredients are well blended and smooth.

Step 4: Build Enchilada Layers

• Cheese mixture
• Chicken filling

Roll tortillas tightly and position seam-side down in the dish.

Step 5: Add Final Cheese Topping

Pour remaining enchilada sauce over rolled tortillas. Sprinkle additional cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and sauce bubbles.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the enchiladas. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meal!

Tasty Tips to Make Your Enchiladas Extra Cozy

• Choose Fresh Tortillas: Grab soft, pliable flour tortillas from the bakery section to ensure your enchiladas have maximum tenderness and authentic flavor.
• Control Your Filling: Carefully spread chicken and cheese mixture without overloading, which helps create neat, compact rolls that hold together perfectly during baking.
• Customize Cheese Levels: Sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top for a decadent, melty finish that transforms this dish from good to absolutely irresistible.
• Personalize Sauce Heat: Select mild enchilada sauce for family-friendly meals or spicy versions to kick up the flavor for adventurous taste buds.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow enchiladas to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking, helping ingredients settle and making cutting and serving much smoother.

Barefoot Contessa Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas bring Mexican-inspired comfort straight to kitchen tables. Warm tortillas cradle seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and zesty sauce, creating a satisfying meal that delights palates and brings families together around one delicious dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 680 grams (24 ounces) cooked and shredded chicken
• 790 grams (28 ounces) red enchilada sauce
• 12 (8-inch/20 centimeters) flour tortillas

cheese and dairy ingredients:

• 225 grams (8 ounces) cottage cheese
• 170 grams (6 ounces) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
• 170 grams (6 ounces) shredded monterey jack cheese (divided)
• 120 grams (4 ounces) sour cream

additional ingredients:

• 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) vegetable oil
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) chopped onion
• 1 (4-ounce/113 grams) can diced green chilies
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 60 milliliters (4 tablespoons) water
• ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 175°C (350°F), creating an ideal baking environment for the enchiladas.
2. Craft the savory chicken filling by sautéing finely chopped onions in vegetable oil until they become translucent and fragrant. Introduce diced green chilies, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and a splash of water, then fold in the tender shredded chicken, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated with the aromatic spices.
3. Prepare the creamy cheese blend by gently combining cottage cheese, grated cheddar, Monterey Jack, and sour cream in a mixing bowl until the ingredients form a smooth, uniform mixture.
4. Assemble the enchiladas by spreading a thin layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom of an 11×14-inch (28x35cm) baking dish. Lay each tortilla flat, generously spread 3-of the cheese mixture in the center, top with an equal portion of the seasoned chicken, then carefully roll into a tight cylinder, positioning each enchilada seam-side down.
5. Drench the rolled tortillas with the remaining enchilada sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Liberally sprinkle the reserved cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses across the top, creating a tempting golden blanket.
6. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for the telltale signs of a perfectly cooked dish: bubbling sauce, melted cheese, and heated through filling.
7. Complete the dish by scattering freshly chopped cilantro over the top, adding a burst of color and fresh flavor to the finished enchiladas.

Notes

• Cooling down matters: After pulling enchiladas from the oven, waiting 5-10 minutes helps ingredients settle and makes cutting and serving smoother.
• Sauce selection impacts flavor: Choose between mild or spicy enchilada sauce to control the heat level and match your taste preferences perfectly.
• Cheese makes everything better: Sprinkle extra cheese on top for a more decadent and gooey final presentation that will impress everyone at the table.
• Rolling technique prevents mess: Carefully fill tortillas without overstuffing to ensure clean, tight rolls that won’t fall apart during baking.
• Tortilla quality elevates dish: Select fresh flour tortillas to guarantee a softer texture and more vibrant overall enchilada experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 13.5g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 19g
• Cholesterol: 40mg