30 Minute Light Chicken Enchiladas are full of crumbled chicken & vegetables and a spicy enchilada sauce for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner!
Light Spicy Chicken Enchiladas
I ran across some Archer Farms Crumbled Mexican Chicken at Target and thought it would work great for some sort of easy dinner. I ended up using it for some quick tacos and then this delicious enchilada dish. I tossed the crumbled chicken with some enchilada sauce, onion, banana peppers, tomatoes and spices and rolled the mixture in some grilled corn tortillas. I topped the mixture with more enchilada sauce and some freshly grated Manchego cheese.
Mmmmm…that Manchego cheese is just so pretty but more importantly it tastes AMAZING! I only started cooking with Manchego this last year and the only thing disappointing about it, is that I didn’t start using it sooner! It’s sharp flavor and slightly lower fat content make it a great addition to any dish you are trying to lighten up.
You might be tempted to skip the grilling of the corn tortillas in this recipe to save time and make life a bit easier, but please DON’T! A grilled corn tortilla has a completely different texture than a plain one. Without grilling them, the tortillas will crumble and fall apart and you will just be left with one pan of a mushy Mexican goodness. Take the extra 5 minutes any time you are making corn tortillas and pop them in a hot pan. It is totally and completely worth it!
30 Minute Light Chicken Enchiladas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 banana pepper finely diced (you could also use a jalapeno or bell pepper)
- 1 large tomato chopped
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 6 oz. Archer Farms Crumbled Mexican Chicken you can substitute seasoned sauteed ground chicken or turkey
- 10 oz can enchilada sauce
- 2 oz. Manchego cheese shredded (you can substitute a different sharp cheese)
- 1/4 c. Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°.
- Meanwhile spray each side of the tortillas with non-stick pan spray. In a large skillet over high heat, add four of the tortillas and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, just until slightly browned. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Set aside. In that same skillet add the onion and peppers and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl toss together the chicken, onions, peppers, tomato, spices and half the can of enchilada sauce.
- Spoon 1/3 cup of the mixture over each tortilla and roll up. Arrange the rolled tortillas in a sprayed 8×10 pan.
- Cover the enchiladas with the remaining enchilada sauce and the shredded cheese. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes covered. Remove the cover and bake an additional 5 minutes.
- Top with cilantro and serve immediately.
Nutrition
More light and delicious Mexican dishes!
May Jones says
Can the enchiladas be made ahead, frozen, and when ready to cook top with sauce and cheese for bake?
Thank you
Danielle Green says
I would thaw out the frozen enchiladas in the refrigerator before baking with the sauce, but yes they should freeze well.
Kelly says
Looks delicious! Can’t seem to find the Archer Farms Mexican chicken in our area – any clue how it’s seasoned? Have ground chicken and a cabinet full of spices!
Danielle Green says
For a really quick and easy fix, you can just use a packet of taco seasoning. Otherwise I’d go with some cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
Bonnie says
Can you use flour tortillas instead?
Danielle Green says
Yes, but not need to heat them before hand.
June Marion says
what is the nutritional values? Carbs, calories, protein, fat, fiber, etc?
Danielle Green says
You can quickly plug this into My Fitness Pal and get all the nutritional info!
Ken Luekens says
What do you do with the other four tortillas? Instructions say to spray the tortillas, and then put four in the skillet.
Should the instructions say, repeat with the other four?
Danielle Green says
Sorry about that oversight! I updated it to show that the remaining tortillas should be cooked as well.
Zenon Perez says
those are not corn tortillas
Danielle Green says
Yes, they are white corn tortillas that have been grilled first per the directions. 🙂
susie says
Where can I buy Machengo cheese ?
Danielle Green says
I find Manchego cheese in the specialty cheese section with other blocks of cheese.
Lori says
I am dairy free and only eat this cheese. You can purchase it at Whole Foods.
Crystal says
What a great recipe!! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks so much for the recipe!!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
What on earth is Manchego cheese? And can I get this in small town America? 🙂 I’ve gotta try this dish!
Danielle Green says
I got it at the same small town grocery store you shop at, so absolutely! 😉