This easy sour cream chicken enchilada recipe starts with flour tortillas that are filled with a seasoned shredded chicken mixture, topped with an amazing sour cream sauce, and baked until cheesy and gooey.
I love chicken enchiladas. Whenever we go to On the Border, I like to order the combo that includes chicken enchiladas and chicken tortilla soup. Plus chips and salsa.
You can easily make these sour cream chicken enchiladas at home to feed the whole family. The filled tortillas are topped with a creamy white sauce with green chiles. Served with some rice, they are pure comfort food.
Because you use cooked chicken, it is the best way to use up some leftover chicken and easy enough to make as a great weeknight recipe.
Why you’ll love this easy enchilada recipe
- It’s simple – using rotisserie chicken means you’re just assembling and baking the enchiladas.
- No cream of chicken soup – many enchiladas include “cream of” soup. This one does not.
- It’s cheesy and delicious!
- Family favorite. It’s kid friendly but you can fully omit the chili powder if you’re worried about heat.
Helpful Tools
- Mixing Bowl – to combine the chicken mixture.
- 9×13 Baking Dish – I like this one with to save leftovers for the next day.
- Whisk – to make the creamy sauce.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Flour tortillas – Corn tortillas would be authentic but I use soft flour for a more Tex-Mex feel.
- Chicken – Two cups of cooked shredded chicken breasts. I like to make shredded chicken in the instant pot, or you can shred up a rotisserie chicken, or use leftovers.
- Monterey Jack cheese – I highly recommend shredding your cheese off a block. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, I get it, but it has non-caking agents on it that prevent it from melting as nicely.
- Butter – To use in the sauce.
- Flour – All purpose white flour.
- Chicken Broth – You can also use chicken stock.
- Sour Cream – The base of the creamy sauce. You could likely use plain Greek yogurt as well, but I haven’t tested it.
- Green Chiles – Diced green chiles (sometimes also spelled chilies). Usually anaheim or poblano, they are fairly mild.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro is best but dried works as well.
- Seasonings – You’ll need onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder (can be skipped if you don’t like any heat).
How to make easy white chicken enchiladas
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- STEP ONE: Make the chicken mixture. To a large bowl, add the cooked, shredded chicken, chili powder, and one cup of cheese. You could also add a can of RoTel to the mixture to add more flavor.
- STEP TWO: Roll the enchiladas. Spoon a scoop of the chicken mixture to the center of a tortilla, fold the edges in, roll it up, and place seam-side down into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
How to make Sour Cream Sauce
- STEP ONE: To a medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in the flour. Cook for one minute on medium heat, stirring as it thickens (you’re making a roux). Pour in the broth and whisk until smooth, continuing to heat until thick and bubbly. Then, stir in the sour cream, can of chilies, and seasonings until just combined. Don’t bring to a boil or you’ll curdle the sour cream.
- STEP TWO: Assemble and bake. Pour the sour cream sauce over the rolled enchiladas, top with additional cheese, and bake at 350° for 20 minutes until melty, bubbly, and golden brown.
If you’re serving a smaller group, try my chicken enchiladas for two!
If you want to heat things up a bit, try my salsa verde chicken enchiladas!
What do you serve enchiladas with?
Chicken enchiladas are a meal in themselves but I like to serve them with:
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Mexican Rice
- Homemade Tortilla Chips
- Blender Salsa
- Mexican Street Corn
- Guacamole
- Slow cooker black beans
- If you’d like to add a little more to the enchilada filling, a can of RoTel would work really well. The chopped tomatoes add great flavor.
- Adding black beans or corn or even rice inside the rolled tortillas would also be delicious.
White Chicken Enchiladas
How to store leftovers
Leftovers should be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze chicken enchiladas?
Yes! Chicken enchiladas freeze really well. Fully assemble them, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil, and store in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake for one hour minutes at 300°, uncover, and bake another 10-15 minutes or until completely heated through.
Can I make a double batch?
Yes! Because these enchiladas freeze so well, you can make a double batch and freeze one to bake at a later time. I like to pick up the aluminum disposable pans from Sam’s Club for easy freezing.
They also make a great dish to take to a family with a new baby or a sick friend. Any time you want to share a dish to be helpful.
Why are my chicken enchiladas soggy?
Your enchiladas might get soggy if you add too much sauce. You don’t want dry enchiladas, but you also don’t want to drown them.
Should enchiladas be cooked covered or uncovered?
Many enchilada recipes call for the dish to be covered while baking. I leave the foil off when baking mine. The ingredients are already cooked, you’re just heating them through and melting all the cheese.
Are enchiladas better with corn or flour tortillas?
I prefer flour tortillas in this recipe but corn would be more authentic (I am not making any authenticity claims in this recipe!).
If you’d like to use corn tortillas, just make sure you heat them to soften them before you roll and fill the enchiladas.
What kind of cheese do Mexican restaurants use in their enchiladas?
Many Mexican restaurants use Monterey Jack cheese in their enchiladas, which is what we use here. You can also use pepper jack for more heat.
Need more Mexican-inspired recipes? Try these:
RoTel Southwest Chicken Skillet
Green Chile Corn Casserole
Cheesy Beef Enchiladas
Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Air Fryer Chicken Quesadilla
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Click here for my entire collection of chicken recipes.
Easy Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese divided
- 8 medium flour tortillas
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose white flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounce diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, chili powder, and 1 cup of cheese, and mix together.2 cups cooked chicken, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Divide the mixture evenly between the 8 tortillas. Fold the tortillas then roll up and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish.8 medium flour tortillas
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter then stir in flour and cook one minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.3 Tablespoons butter, 3 Tablespoons all purpose white flour, 2 cups chicken broth
- Stir in sour cream, can of chiles, cilantro, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Do not let it boil.1 cup sour cream, 4 ounce diced green chiles, 1 teaspoon dried cilantro, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the sauce over the enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 20-22 minutes and then place under high broil for 3 minutes to brown the cheese.
Notes
- Mix in a can of RoTel for extra flavor—adds chopped tomatoes and spice.
- Add black beans, corn, or cooked rice to the filling for more texture and heartiness.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge; good for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @melissa_pplates so I can see!Originally published February 20, 2012
I loved how easy this recipe was, and the ingredients were easy to find. My husband and I loved these enchiladas. I substituted the tortillas for low-carb tortillas. I also substituted the flour for cornstarch. It will be making this again.
Thanks, Sharon!
I substituted a fresh jalapeno for the green chiilis and used corn tortillas because I had a lot, and used a can of cream of mushroom soup. They were delicious and I’d definitely make them again!