Dreamy Southern Dinner: Ina Garten’s Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Bursting with flavor and comfort, these delectable chicken enchiladas by Ina Garten recipe promise a culinary journey that tantalizes your taste buds.
Tender shredded chicken nestles between soft tortillas, blanketed in a rich, zesty sauce that speaks to the heart of Mexican-inspired cuisine.
Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of spices, melted cheese, and vibrant ingredients that dance across your palate.
The layers of savory goodness create a dish that’s both satisfying and elegant.
Garten’s touch brings a sophisticated twist to this classic Mexican favorite.
Quick to assemble and even quicker to disappear from the plate, these enchiladas will become your new go-to weeknight dinner sensation.
Grab your apron and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with this mouthwatering masterpiece.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 430 kcal
Servings: 6
Ingredients for Making Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
For Protein Base:
Chicken: Tender, juicy protein that forms the heart of the enchiladas, best when using freshly shredded rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken for maximum flavor.
For Wrapping and Binding:
Tortillas: Soft corn or flour tortillas that create the classic enchilada structure, warmed to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking.
Enchilada Sauce: Rich, tangy sauce that adds moisture and deep southwestern flavor, choose a high-quality brand or homemade version for authentic taste.
Shredded Cheese: Melty binding ingredient that adds creamy texture and golden-brown top, sharp cheddar or monterey jack work perfectly.
For Garnish and Finishing:
Onions: Fresh, crisp topping that provides a sharp bite and textural contrast.
Cilantro: Bright, herbaceous garnish that adds freshness and authentic mexican flair.
Sour Cream: Cooling, creamy element that balances the dish's spiciness.
Lettuce: Crisp, light topping that introduces a refreshing crunch.
Cotija Cheese: Crumbly, salty mexican cheese that elevates the final presentation.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.
Tools You’ll Need for Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
Large Bowl: Essential for mixing chicken with enchilada sauce and seasonings.
Microwave: Quick tool to warm and soften tortillas.
Baking Dish: Spacious container to assemble and bake enchiladas.
Cheese Grater: Handy for shredding cheese if not pre-shredded.
Measuring Cups: Precise for portioning sauce and cheese.
Spoon or Tongs: Perfect for tossing chicken and rolling tortillas.
Oven Mitts: Protective gear for handling hot baking dish.
How to Make Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
Cozy Chicken Enchiladas
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth begins with setting the stage. Preheat your oven to a gentle 350ºF, creating the perfect environment for your culinary adventure.
Chicken Magic Transform your shredded chicken into a flavor explosion by mixing it with enchilada sauce. Season generously, tasting until the mixture sings with deliciousness.
Tortilla Transformation Soften tortillas in the microwave, turning them into flexible wrappers ready to embrace the savory filling.
Enchilada Assembly Create delightful rolls by spreading chicken and cheese across each tortilla. Carefully wrap and nestle them snugly in a baking dish, seam side down.
Sauce and Cheese Bath Lavish your enchiladas with a generous pour of enchilada sauce, then crown them with a blanket of melty cheese that promises golden deliciousness.
Baking Perfection Slide the dish into the waiting oven. Let the enchiladas bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece, typically around 20 minutes.
Festive Finishing Bring your creation to the table, inviting an array of fresh toppings like bright cilantro, zesty onions, or cool sour cream to personalize each bite.
Fun Twists on Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
Quick tips to elevate this classic dish
Replace shredded chicken with ground beef, shredded pork, or black beans for vegetarian options. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile to the enchiladas.
Experiment with different enchilada sauce varieties like green chile, smoky chipotle, or homemade red sauce to transform the dish's flavor complexity.
Mix multiple cheese types like monterey jack, pepper jack, or queso fresco for a more dynamic and rich cheesy experience. Blend textures and flavors for maximum deliciousness.
Prepare enchiladas ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked. Cover tightly with foil and bake when ready to serve. They'll keep perfectly for 1-2 days, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
How to Serve Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
Elevate Your Enchilada Experience: Offer a vibrant array of fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or creamy avocado slices to add extra texture and flavor.
Pair with Zesty Sides: Complement the enchiladas with Mexican-style rice, black beans, or a crisp corn salad to create a complete and satisfying meal that bursts with authentic flavors.
Create a Fiesta Spread: Serve with homemade salsa, guacamole, and warm tortilla chips to transform your dinner into a festive gathering that celebrates Mexican-inspired cuisine.
Cool and Creamy Contrast: Add a dollop of tangy sour cream or sprinkle fresh cilantro to balance the rich, warm enchiladas and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dish.
Storing Leftover Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain optimal texture.
Freeze for Later: Wrap individual enchiladas or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat with Care: Warm enchiladas in the oven at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes to restore crispiness. Microwave works in a pinch, but may soften the tortilla edges slightly. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese before reheating for extra flavor.
Prep in Advance: Assemble enchiladas up to 24 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. This make-ahead strategy saves time and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Ina Garten’s chicken enchiladas offer a delightful Mexican-inspired comfort meal with layers of rich flavors and creamy textures. Home cooks can savor this simple yet satisfying dish that brings warmth and spice to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 cups (355 ml) cooked shredded chicken
8 corn or flour tortillas
2.5 cups (600 ml) shredded Mexican-blend cheese
2 cups (475 ml) enchilada sauce
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Diced onions
Chopped cilantro
Sour cream
Shredded lettuce
Cotija cheese
Instructions
Preheat Configuration: Warm the oven to 350°F, establishing an optimal thermal environment for baking enchiladas.
Chicken Preparation: Blend shredded chicken with enchilada sauce, incorporating salt and ground black pepper to create a harmonious flavor profile.
Tortilla Conditioning: Gently heat tortillas in the microwave, ensuring uniform warmth and preventing potential dryness.
Assembly Technique: Carefully distribute chicken mixture and cheese along each tortilla, meticulously rolling and positioning seam-side down in a rectangular baking vessel.
Sauce Coverage: Lavishly coat rolled enchiladas with remaining enchilada sauce, ensuring complete coverage, then generously sprinkle additional cheese across the entire dish.
Baking Process: Transfer to preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, monitoring until cheese transforms into a molten, golden-brown landscape.
Presentation and Garnishing: Immediately extract from oven and embellish with optional toppings like white onions, cilantro, sour cream, crisp lettuce, or crumbled cotija cheese for a vibrant culinary experience.
Notes
Warm Tortillas Wisely: Microwave tortillas in short bursts to prevent drying out, rotating midway for even softening and flexibility.
Season Chicken Generously: Add extra spices like cumin or chili powder to enhance the chicken’s flavor profile beyond basic salt and pepper.
Roll Technique Matters: Place filling slightly off-center and roll tightly to prevent unraveling during baking, ensuring neat and compact enchiladas.
Cheese Distribution Strategy: Layer cheese both inside and on top of enchiladas for maximum melted, gooey goodness and rich, satisfying texture.
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Isabella Rodriguez
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.