Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce
Tender shredded chicken rolled in corn tortillas and baked with a smoky roasted poblano pepper sauce and melted cheese. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 75 minutes pairs large (about 1.5 lbs) chicken breasts, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 large (about 1.5 lbs) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 large poblano peppers
- 14 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 3 large poblano peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until skins are blackened and blistered. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel off skins, remove seeds, and chop coarsely.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 diced medium onion, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the chopped roasted poblanos, 14 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: While sauce simmers, poach 2 large chicken breasts in simmering water for 15 minutes until cooked through. Cool slightly, then shred using two forks.
- Step 5: Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes to combine flavors. Remove from heat.
- Step 6: Warm 12 small corn tortillas wrapped in a damp towel in the microwave for 30 seconds to make them pliable.
- Step 7: Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Fill each tortilla with about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture and roll tightly. Place seam side down in the baking dish.
- Step 8: Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the enchiladas and sprinkle 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Step 9: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 400°F until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 10: Remove from oven and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce?
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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce 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 Slow-Simmered Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Poblano Sauce?
Mexican cinco de mayo 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
- ★★★★★
So flavorful and easy, I'll make these every week.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
My family loved these! The poblano sauce was the star.