Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken
A vibrant Mexican classic featuring tender chicken in a vibrant tomatillo sauce, wrapped in corn tortillas and baked until bubbly—true to Oaxacan roots. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 60 minutes pairs (softened in warm water) corn tortillas, (husked and chopped) tomatillos, (diced) green chiles for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (cut into 1/2-inch strips) boneless chicken breasts
- 12 (softened in warm water) corn tortillas
- 12 (husked and chopped) tomatillos
- 2 (diced) green chiles
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1/2 cup (chopped) fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup (finely diced) onion
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Mexican crema
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1 lb chicken strips with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, heat 1 tsp oil over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Add 12 chopped tomatillos, 2 diced green chiles, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp cumin. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatillos soften.
- Step 3: Transfer mixture to a blender, add 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro. Blend until completely smooth, then pour into a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place 6 softened corn tortillas in a single layer, spread 1/3 of the chicken strips over each, then spoon 2 tbsp sauce over each. Roll tortillas tightly and place seam-side down in the dish. Pour remaining sauce over top.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with 1/4 cup Mexican crema before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (diced) green chiles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Enchiladas Verdes with Chicken?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
