Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
If you’re craving a cozy, comforting dinner that hits all the right notes, you’ve got to try my Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe. These enchiladas are creamy, cheesy, and packed with shredded chicken all wrapped in warm tortillas, then smothered in a luscious white sauce that balances richness with a slight tang from the sour cream. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll quickly become a weeknight favorite you’ll want to share over and over.
Why This Recipe Works
- Creamy White Sauce: The combination of sour cream and cream of chicken soup creates a velvety sauce that’s both tangy and rich, setting these enchiladas apart from the usual red sauce options.
- Perfectly Soft Tortillas: Warming the tortillas in the oven prevents cracking and helps them soak up the sauce without falling apart.
- Cheesy Goodness: Blending Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses gives a nice melty texture with a subtle bite and color contrast.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This recipe freezes beautifully, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe was chosen to complement both flavor and convenience. These staples come together to create a creamy, cheesy dish that’s easy to assemble with flavors that shine.
- Flour tortillas: Taco-size tortillas are perfect for rolling without being too bulky or tear-prone.
- Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a subtle tang that balances the richness of the cheese and chicken.
- Cream of chicken soup: This pantry favorite thickens the sauce and adds a comforting, savory base.
- Canned diced green chiles: Bring a mild heat and brightness that perks up the sauce without overpowering it.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken means this recipe comes together fast and stays juicy.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully with a mild, buttery flavor.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp contrast and a nice color pop on top.
Make It Your Way
I love that this Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe is such a great base for mixing things up! You can easily adjust the heat, swap proteins, or even go veggie if you like—whatever fits your family’s taste.
- Spicier Sauce: I like to add a splash of hot sauce or some chopped jalapeños if I’m craving a bit more kick; it wakes up the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Different Protein: Ground turkey or even black beans work wonderfully if you want to keep it lighter or vegetarian.
- Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack instead of Monterey Jack for a subtle spicy twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Tortillas
First things first, heat your oven to 350°F. I pop the flour tortillas right into a 9×13 baking dish while the oven warms. Just 5 minutes softens them up perfectly so they roll without cracking—a little trick I picked up that made all the difference.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy White Sauce
While the tortillas are warming, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and diced green chiles in a bowl. Stir until everything’s blended. This sauce is where the magic happens—it’s creamy but also has that gentle tang and subtle heat that makes these enchiladas unforgettable.
Step 3: Assemble Your Enchiladas
Lay out each softened tortilla and spoon about ½ cup of shredded chicken down the center. Add 2 tablespoons of the white sauce and a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. Roll it up snugly and place it seam-side down in your lightly greased baking dish. If you end up with extra enchiladas, don’t hesitate to use a smaller dish or baking pan—you’ll want to fit them all without crowding.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Pour the remaining sauce over the rolled enchiladas and spread it evenly. Then sprinkle the leftover Monterey Jack and all the cheddar cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, for that golden cheese finish, remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes uncovered. This finishing touch lets the cheese bubble up to perfection.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Softening Tortillas: Softening your tortillas in the oven instead of the microwave prevents them from getting rubbery and helps avoid breaks when rolling.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce feels too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up so it spreads easily and seeps nicely into the tortillas.
- Avoid Sogginess: Bake covered to keep moisture in, but removing the foil at the end allows the top to crisp up just a bit without drying out the filling.
- Use Fresh Chicken: I always use freshly cooked shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken for juicy enchiladas that don’t dry out during baking.
How to Serve Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these enchiladas, I love topping them with sliced black olives and freshly chopped green onions—they add a subtle saltiness and fresh crunch that brighten every bite. A dollop of guacamole or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro also brings some vibrant color and flavor contrast that makes the dish pop.
Side Dishes
To keep it simple and balanced, I often pair these enchiladas with a fresh garden salad dressed in lime vinaigrette, plus some Mexican rice or refried beans for a complete and satisfying meal. Roasted corn on the cob also works beautifully when in season!
Creative Ways to Present
Once, for a cozy dinner party, I laid the enchiladas in individual ramekins instead of the big baking dish—it made portioning easy and looked super cute on the table. You can also bake them in a cast-iron skillet for a rustic feel and extra crispy edges that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find that placing a piece of parchment paper on top before sealing helps keep the cheese from sticking to the lid—easy peasy for reheating later.
Freezing
This Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe freezes so well! I like to assemble them in a freezer-safe pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap then foil, and freeze before baking. This way, they’re ready whenever I need a no-fuss meal. Just skip the cheese topping before freezing—add it fresh when it’s baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, I cover the enchiladas with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through—usually about 25 minutes if thawed, or add around 20 extra minutes if baking from frozen. Removing the foil in the last few minutes helps get the cheese bubbly and delicious again.
FAQs
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Can I make Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the sour cream and cheeses with dairy-free versions—like coconut or cashew-based sour cream and vegan shredded cheese—to keep that creamy texture while making the dish suitable for dairy-free diets.
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What’s the best chicken to use for these enchiladas?
Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully—it’s already cooked, flavorful, and easy to shred. You can also poach chicken breasts or thighs and shred them yourself for a fresher homemade touch.
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Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
While corn tortillas can be used, they tend to be more fragile. If you go this route, soften them carefully by briefly dipping in warm water or lightly frying them before assembling to prevent cracking during rolling and baking.
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How spicy does this recipe get?
The recipe has a gentle warmth from the mild green chiles but isn’t very spicy by default. You can easily adjust heat levels by adding jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy cheese if you enjoy a kick.
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Can I prepare these enchiladas ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Assemble them a day in advance, keep covered in the fridge, then bake right before guests arrive. You can also freeze them assembled and bake when needed, which saves tons of stress on party day.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe is one of those comforting classics that I keep coming back to whenever I want something easy but indulgent. There’s just something about that creamy sauce paired with tender chicken and melted cheese that feels like a warm hug from the inside. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this as much as I do. Seriously, give it a try—it’ll quickly become your go-to for cozy nights or anytime you want to impress without fuss.
Print
Chicken Enchiladas with White Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 enchiladas
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Delicious Chicken Enchiladas with a creamy sour cream white sauce, filled with shredded chicken and cheeses, baked to perfection for a comforting Mexican-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Enchiladas
- 10 flour tortillas, taco size
- 5 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sour Cream White Sauce
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 10.5 ounces canned cream of chicken soup
- 4 ounces canned diced green chiles
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the enchiladas.
- Soften tortillas: While the oven is warming, arrange the flour tortillas in a 9×13 baking dish and place them in the oven for 5 minutes to soften, making them easier to roll.
- Prepare sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, blend the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and diced green chiles together until smooth and well combined.
- Fill tortillas: Place about 1/2 cup of shredded chicken onto each softened tortilla, add 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and 2 tablespoons of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- Roll enchiladas: Roll each filled tortilla tightly and position each seam-side down in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Use an additional smaller dish if needed to fit all enchiladas.
- Add sauce and cheese: Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the enchiladas, then sprinkle with the remaining Monterey Jack cheese and all the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to lightly brown the cheese and finish cooking.
Notes
- These enchiladas are excellent served plain or garnished with sliced olives, guacamole, diced tomatoes, chopped green onion, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
- For freezing, wrap the enchiladas tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Drain any excess liquid before freezing and avoid adding cheese on top until ready to bake.
- You can freeze the enchiladas either before or after baking. Freezing before baking is preferred.
- If baking after thawing, bake covered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes and then 5 minutes uncovered.
- If baking from frozen, add approximately 20 minutes to the baking time after removing foil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 enchilada
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg