Chicken Enchiladas

This chicken enchilada recipe started similarly to the Baked Italian Meatballs recipe. I needed to make some freezer dinners for an upcoming surgery. This recipe is a double special because you can make a batch for now... and a batch for later. 

Good to Know Chicken Recommendation

When I need pulled chicken for a recipe, I will generally get a $5 rotisserie from the ever-trusty Costco. Then last year I realized they LITERALLY sold a bag of PRE PULLED chicken... 

It is $18 as of spring of 2022 in North Carolina, so don't hold me to that, but it nets probably the same amount as 2 rotisserie chickens. So for $5 more, you get no mess and lots of time back. 

I used the whole bag for this recipe which was 45 oz. Heads up, you do still have to pull it apart as some pieces are larger. 

Freezer Ready Recipe

My favorite part about this chicken enchilada recipe is that they are very easily made freezer ready. You will prepare your dish exactly the same way. The only thing you might need to make this dish ready for the freezer is...

• A Freezer to Oven Safe Baking Dish (with a lid)
• Lots of Plastic Wrap
• Sharpie

You'll want to wrap the whole foil pan in plastic multiple times BEFORE adding the lid. Moisture will cause freezer burn!

Make sure to label the top of the foil with Sharpie. I also add "Chicken Enchiladas - Bake at 350 for 1hr lid on, 30 minutes lid off" 

I recommend these below. They are the exact same ones as in my video. We are almost at the point of buying more.

Due to the kitchen renovation process coming up in just a few weeks, I am making more freezer meals ahead of time. I will throw these on the smoker and be able to stay out of the construction as much as possible. 

Disposable Baking Dishes

These 9X13" foil baking dishes are absolutely perfect for freezer-ready meals, potlucks, or bringing a dish to a friend or family. They cost a little more than $1 apiece.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

For this recipe, I actually used my own homemade enchilada sauce. That was created out of desperation as I was determined to make enchiladas and I didn't want to go to the store and buy sauce for it. InstaCart was a week out from being able to deliver due to the peak of COVID, so I do what I do best which was pull it out of thin air. 

Come to find out it required tomato paste (which I always have), stock, and spices. I had everything I needed and it turned out perfect. Not even mad. This recipe is literally the only one I have ever tried in my chicken enchilada recipe, so... I hope it tastes alright with store-bought too, haha. 

Recipes to Pair With

Here are some recipes that I often make right along with Mexican night. You do not need these to be successful at your chicken enchilada recipe, but I always like to recommend a few more just in case you want to level up your next meal. 

Our carnitas recipe, brown rice, and tomatillo salsa are all perfect ways to make your next Mexican dinner night stand out!

📖 Recipe