Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Oi. This white sauce. I think possibly these White Chicken Enchiladas have knocked the classic off its pedestal!

It’s Sunday night here in Sydney and I swore I was going to be healthy this week – starting from tonight. I had salad for dinner and I am munching on carrot sticks as I write this post.

So I have to tell you, it is absolute, complete and utter torture writing up this recipe and looking at these photos. Describing to you how delicious this is, trying not to remember every creamy bite, the golden bubbly cheese, the juicy chicken, that sauce….that white sauce….

Ugh. Someone help me. This “health kick” isn’t going to last beyond tomorrow morning at this rate. I feel my resolve weakening rapidly.

Months and months and months ago, a reader sent me a recipe for White Chicken Enchiladas. I must admit, I had my doubts. A sauce made with a sour cream base? Really?

The minute I made it, I fell in love. As I do, I became obsessed and made it multiple times within a very short space of time, adding my own touch.

The sauce. Seriously. I’m obsessed! The sour cream adds a subtle tang to cut through what would otherwise be a very heavy sauce, akin to the white sauce in rich French gratins. I also like to add fresh or canned jalapeños to it which adds a touch of zing and freshness.

I like to throw in corn and scallions for the filling. It fills it out more so it’s not just chicken, and also adds a touch of freshness into an otherwise very rich dish. Feel free to substitute it with whatever vegetables you had on hand – anything diced works!

I’ve even made a vegetarian version of this (gasp, shock horror!). Regular readers will know that meat-free isn’t really my “thing”. But this White Sauce is so good, I knew that a vegetarian version would rock. And indeed it did! I used a mix of black beans, corn and other diced vegetables, and oh boy. I promise you, I did NOT miss meat. 🙂

However, having said that, my favourite is this chicken version. Hence why I’m sharing this with you today.

This is easy to make and it’s great for make ahead too! I like to prepare the Enchiladas but keep the sauce separate. Then on the night of, I pour the sauce over, scatter over cheese and pop it in the oven.

Dinner’s up! – Nagi x

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White Chicken Enchiladas

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 25 mins

Total: 40 mins

Chicken, Dinner

Mexican

4.95 from 39 votes

Servings4

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This white sauce version of Enchiladas gives the classic a serious run for its money!

Ingredients

White Sauce

• 2 1/2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 tbsp finely chopped jalapeños OR canned green chilies (Note 2)
• 1/2 tsp salt + pepper

Enchiladas

• 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used poached chicken breast)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup sliced scallions
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups grated cheese (Note 1)
• 8 to rtillas (flour or corn)

Instructions

White Sauce

• Melt butter over medium heat in a skillet. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Add milk, whisk until thickened - about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add sour cream and chicken broth. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes - it should thicken slightly. Stir through cumin, jalapeños, salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

Enchiladas

• Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
• Mix together 1/4 cup White Sauce, chicken, corn, scallions, 1 cup of grated cheese, salt and pepper.
• Pop the tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds to warm through (so they don't crack when rolled up).
• Divide filling between tortillas, and roll them up like a cigar.
• Smear 2 tbsp of White Sauce in baking dish. Place enchiladas in the dish, seam side down. Pour over remaining White Sauce, scatter with remaining cheese.
• Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Serve hot!
• Optional: Serve Pico de Gallo to top it or serve it on the side. I added avocado to my base Pico de Gallo Recipe.

Recipe Notes:

1. I use Monterey Jack - from Harris Farms in Australia. Cheddar and tasty cheese are also great. Any good melting cheese works well.

2. One of my regular readers who is a fantastic cook reported back that she loved this recipe and she added canned green chilies (7 oz can) to it. I would recommend using half in the chicken mixture and half in the White Sauce.

I really wanted to use them in this recipe but in Australia (as far as I am aware), we don't have canned green chilies!

3. MAKE AHEAD:

Fridge - Roll up the Enchiladas (using the white sauce in the filling per recipe) and place them in the baking dish. Keep the White Sauce for the topping separate. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. On the day off, add a small splash of milk to the White Sauce and mix to loosen it to a pourable consistency, then pour it over the Enchiladas. Scatter over cheese and bake, as per the recipe.

Freezer - Make the Enchiladas and top with cooled White Sauce then cheese. Cover, freeze. Defrost in the fridge then bake as per recipe.

4. Nutrition per serving.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 414gCalories: 708kcalCarbohydrates: 39.5g (13%)Protein: 53g (106%)Fat: 38.6g (59%)Saturated Fat: 21.4g (107%)Cholesterol: 176mg (59%)Sodium: 769mg (32%)Potassium: 643mg (18%)Fiber: 4.4g (18%)Sugar: 5.2gVitamin A: 22%Vitamin C: 8%Calcium: 58%Iron: 21%

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

If you enjoyed this, then my Beef Enchiladas are a must try!

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