Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce
This Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce recipe is made with a homemade enchilada sauce and tortillas stuffed with delicious chicken and cheese!
A SIMPLE, HOMEMADE CHICKEN ENCHILADA RECIPE
Ever since I shared my recipe for White Chicken Enchiladas, I’ve had a lot of requests for a red sauce version. Of course, I still keep it simple to make but I definitely had to make sure I made a homemade enchilada sauce!
I’ve been making this recipe for several years now and love it! The sauce has a nice rich flavor, much better than a canned sauce and easy to prepare.
– Pam
TIPS FOR MAKING CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH RED SAUCE (ENCHILADAS ROJAS)
- Traditional Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas. Corn Tortillas need to be heated up before they are rolled or else they will tear. You can warm them up in the microwave or you can gently heat them in a pan on the stovetop with a little oil in the pan. Or, place some enchilada sauce in a pan over medium heat and dip the corn tortilla in the enchilada sauce to soften it up and then fill with chicken mixture.
- This is a great recipe for leftover chicken or turkey. You can also purchase a cooked rotisserie chicken and cut and shred the chicken. This adds a lot of flavor to the recipe.
- This enchilada recipe is also amazing with my Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef. Give it a try – it is outstanding!
- Your favorite store bought red enchilada sauce can be used but I think you will love this version homemade enchilada sauce.
- A Mexican blend of cheeses can be used in place of the cheddar cheese.
- If cilantro isn’t your thing, just leave it out.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- butter
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- ground cumin
- cornstarch
- chicken stock
- tomato sauce
- granulated sugar
- salt
- shredded cooked chicken
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- fresh cilantro
- flour or corn tortillas (fajita size)
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH RED SAUCE
In a medium-sized sauce pot melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin whisk to combine and “fry” in the butter until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook an additional minute. Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking constantly until combined. Whisk in the tomato sauce, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened, set aside.
In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, 1 cup of the cheddar, the sour cream, cilantro, and ¼ cup of the sauce. Stir to combine, set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, pour in 1 cup of the sauce, making sure to cover the bottom of the dish.
To the side, lay out the tortillas and evenly distribute the filling among them, using about ¼ cup of the filling per tortilla.
Roll the tortilla around the filling and place it in the baking dish seam side down. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Pour the remaining sauce on top and smooth it out to make sure all of the tortillas are covered in the sauce.
Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbly.
Let them cool for about 10 minutes in the dish and serve with your favorite toppings.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas
- Bisquick Chicken Enchilada Bake
- Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Shrimp Enchiladas
- Mexican Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Refried Beans
- Chicken Chimichangas
- White Chicken Enchiladas (For Two)
- Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito
- Taco Bell Enchiritos
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Casserole
Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce
Ingredients
For the enchilada sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the filling:
- 1 pound shredded cooked chicken
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 10 (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas (fajita size)
- Toppings of your choice: Sour Cream, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Cilantro, Guacamole, Sliced Jalapenos
Instructions
- In a medium-sized sauce pot melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin whisk to combine and “fry” in the butter until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute.
- Whisk in the cornstarch and cook an additional minute. Slowly pour in the chicken stock while whisking constantly until combined.
- Whisk in the tomato sauce, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened, set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, 1 cup of the cheddar, the sour cream, cilantro, and ¼ cup of the sauce. Stir to combine, set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, pour in 1 cup of the sauce, making sure to cover the bottom of the dish.
- To the side, layout the tortillas and evenly distribute the filling among them, using about ¼ cup of the filling per tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla around the filling and place it in the baking dish seam side down. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Pour the remaining sauce on top and smooth it out to make sure all of the tortillas are covered in the sauce. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbly. Let them cool for about 10 minutes in the dish and serve with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Easy recipes quick and easy thank you
I thought these turned out great. Super flavorful and not too much heat so even my toddlers could enjoy them. Thanks so much! My new favorite chicken enchilada recipe and red sauce!!
I Need much more heat in the sauce. What is the best option to achieve that? Red chili’s or dried hot peppers?
Hey Ryan – you could actual do either honestly. A few red pepper flakes would do the trick. Just add to taste 🙂
These enchiladas were loved by all as is!
Thanks so much Robin! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I’ve been making this recipe for several years now and love it! The sauce has a nice rich flavor, much better than a canned sauce and easy to prepare. I’m not a huge cilantro fan, so decrease the amount recommended. I highly recommend trying this recipe. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you SO much Pam! I really appreciate you commenting to let me know you’ve been enjoying it. It really means so much to hear when someone is enjoying a recipe!