Easy Chicken Enchiladas (Cheesy, Saucy & Family-Friendly)

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes | Total: 40 minutes | Serves: 4–6
Best For: Family dinners, weeknight meals, sharing

An Easy Cheesy Chicken Dinner

These easy chicken enchiladas are filled with tender shredded chicken and cheese, rolled inside soft tortillas and baked under enchilada sauce until hot, bubbly and golden. Using cooked chicken keeps the preparation simple, making this an easy dinner to get into the oven on a busy night.

It's also the kind of meal made for putting straight in the middle of the table. Add a few simple sides, let everyone serve themselves and enjoy a warm dinner together without needing anything particularly fancy.

Ingredients for Chicken Enchiladas

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken

• 8 medium flour tortillas

• 2 cups grated cheese

• 2 cups enchilada sauce

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Optional:

• Sour cream

• Diced avocado

• Fresh coriander

• Sliced spring onions

• Diced tomato

• Lime wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 200°C conventional or 180°C fan-forced. Lightly grease a large baking dish.

2. Cook the onion. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.

3. Prepare the filling. Add the shredded chicken, cumin, paprika and garlic powder. Stir through about ½ cup of enchilada sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.

4. Add the cheese. Remove from the heat and stir through approximately 1 cup of grated cheese.

5. Prepare the baking dish. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce over the bottom of the dish.

6. Fill the tortillas. Spoon the chicken mixture down the centre of each tortilla. Roll firmly and arrange seam-side down in the baking dish.

7. Add the sauce. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the rolled tortillas.

8. Top with cheese. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese generously over the top.

9. Bake until bubbly. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the enchiladas are heated through and the cheese is melted and golden.

10. Serve warm. Allow them to sit for about 5 minutes before serving with your favourite toppings.

Helpful Tips

• Rotisserie chicken works beautifully and makes this recipe even quicker.

• Don't overfill the tortillas or they can split when rolled.

• Place each tortilla seam-side down to help keep the enchiladas closed while baking.

• If your tortillas feel stiff, warm them briefly before filling so they're easier to roll.

Why This Recipe Works

• Cooked chicken makes preparation quick and beginner-friendly.

• Uses simple supermarket ingredients.

• Cheese and enchilada sauce keep the filling moist and flavourful.

• Everything is assembled in one baking dish for easy serving.

• Leftover roast or rotisserie chicken can be used to reduce food waste.

• Easy to customise with your family's favourite toppings.

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• Easy Chicken Quesadillas (Cheesy, Crispy & Family-Friendly)

• Easy Family Tacos (Budget-Friendly, Customisable & Crowd-Pleasing)

• Easy Beef Nachos (Cheesy, Loaded & Family-Friendly)

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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.

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