Authentic Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy corn tortillas filled with spicy chipotle chicken, melted cheese, and smoky tomato sauce. This mexican ready in about 50 minutes turns chicken breast, chipotle peppers in adobo, corn tortillas into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken breast, 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, and 1 tsp cumin powder. Cook for 8-10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: Layer 12 corn tortillas with 1/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese and 1/4 of the cooked chicken mixture. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in a baking dish.
  4. Step 4: Pour 2 cups tomato sauce over the enchiladas. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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 Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas?

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 Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Mexican Chipotle-Infused Enchiladas?

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.

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