Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

These red sauce-topped Creamy Chicken Enchiladas are stuffed with spiced chicken and Monterey jack cheese, plus a special secret ingredient that makes them extra creamy and delicious!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with text overlay.


 

I have made this recipe no less than eleventy billion times. And every time, regardless of who tries them, they are a huge hit.

But what most people never realize is that these cheesy, creamy chicken enchiladas are made extra special by a secret ingredient. Promise you'll stick around if I tell you what it is?

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas in dish an on plate.

The Secret Ingredient

Cottage cheese.

That's right...cottage cheese.

Now I know it sounds weird, and I realize that it doesn't exactly scream authentic Mexican cuisine, (so don't come at me, because that's not what I'm claiming!). But I promise y'all, it makes these chicken enchiladas totally scrumptious. I swear I would not share this recipe if it wasn't going to go over well. Have I steered you wrong yet? So as strange as it may sound, I urge you to try this one!

You know how you can use cottage cheese in place of ricotta when you make lasagna? Well, that's pretty much the premise here. The cottage cheese not only lends creaminess to the dish, but it's also a cool contrast to the spices used to season the chicken. And its flavor is neutral enough that you can get away with using a good dollop of it per enchilada, whereas that much sour cream might end up tasting a bit too, well, sour.

Pan of Creamy Chicken Enchiladas.

Other Ingredients

Corn tortillas are stuffed with shredded chicken, grated Monterey jack, and aforementioned seasoned cottage cheese, then topped with a red sauce and more cheese.

I'm telling you, the final results will make you shout ¡Olé!

The textures, the spices, the creamy, chicken-stuffed filling and the gooey cheese tying it all together...yum.

One bite and you'll totally understand why my family would have no complaints if these Creamy Chicken Enchiladas showed up on our dinner menu once a week!

Aerial view of plate and baking dish.

Recipe Notes

Now, a few things worth mentioning...

These Creamy Chicken Enchiladas are equally tasty when made with turkey. So with a certain holiday coming up, if you find yourself with excess leftover turkey the next day, this is a great recipe to use it up!

Make sure you buy small-curd cottage cheese, which blends right in with the other filling ingredients. Large-curd cottage cheese would still work and would even taste the same, but the texture might stand out a little more.

You can buy a can of enchilada sauce to use with this recipe, but I have yet to find a brand that is without questionable ingredients, so I prefer to quickly whip up my own version of pseudo-enchilada sauce out of tomato sauce or puree.

Plenty of enchilada sauce is key to enchiladas that stay moist and tortillas that don't crack. And along those lines, if you haven't made your own homemade taco seasoning yet, I urge you to try that, too!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas on plate garnished with avocado slices.

Yield

Finally, I find that this recipe typically makes more than 12 enchiladas.

You want to generously fill each tortilla, but you don't want it so stuffed that it won't roll closed or it splits open when you try to roll it.

I have made this recipe many times by cramming as many enchiladas into a 9- by 13-inch dish as I can fit, even turning a few of them perpendicular down the sides of the dish. But that doesn't make for the prettiest presentation and it's not always easy to get your Creamy Chicken Enchiladas out of the dish without breaking them.

So don't be lazy and impatient like me. What I would recommend instead is fitting about nine enchiladas down the center of a 9- by 13-inch dish, and then fit five or so more in an 8- by 8-inch dish. If there is any leftover chicken or cottage cheese after that, just dollop it in the empty corners before covering the whole shebang with the remaining red sauce and shredded cheese.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas in baking dish and on plate.

So despite the odd-sounding, unexpected ingredient, have I convinced you to try this recipe?

I promise that I'm not one piñata short of a fiesta...these Creamy Chicken Enchiladas really are utterly delectable.

Once you taste them, I think you'll be happy to add them to your recipe box, too!

Now go make some chicken enchiladas! 😉

More Tex-Mex Favorites

Pan of Creamy Chicken Enchiladas.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

These red sauce-topped Creamy Chicken Enchiladas are stuffed with spiced chicken and Monterey jack cheese, plus a special secret ingredient that makes them extra creamy and delicious!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 578kcal
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

For the enchilada sauce:

  • 3 cups tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • â…› teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (7 ounces) chopped green chiles
  • 4 cups shredded chicken
  • 1 package taco seasoning, or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup sour cream , OR plain yogurt OR Greek yogurt
  • 16 ounces small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir together tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, oregano, and optional hot pepper sauce. Mix until well combined and set aside.
  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook minced garlic until just golden, stirring constantly. Mix in green chiles and shredded chicken. Sprinkle with taco seasoning, pour in water, and saute for a few minutes or until water is absorbed and seasoning is evenly distributed. Remove from heat.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream, cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. (If you wish to prevent your enchiladas from being overcrowded, be prepared to use an additional 8- by 8-inch pan as well.) Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish.
  • Place corn tortillas on a plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 30 seconds in the microwave to make them pliable. Moisten each tortilla with enchilada sauce (on both sides) and wipe off any excess. Spread a spoonful of chicken mixture, cottage cheese mixture, and shredded cheese down the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the filling and place it seam side down in the baking dish. Top with a spoonful of sauce to prevent the tortilla from splitting while you prepare the rest of the enchiladas.
  • When all of the enchiladas are in the dish(es), dollop any remaining chicken and/or cottage cheese along the edges or in the corners of the dishes. Evenly pour the rest of the red sauce over the enchiladas, gently spreading it with the back of a spoon, if necessary. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the sauce. Bake for 30 minutes of until golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • I use leftover chicken if I have it, but otherwise, I poach 3 chicken breasts, which yields approximately 4 cups of shredded chicken.
  • If you prefer, you may use a 19-ounce can of store bought enchilada sauce in lieu of seasoning your own tomato sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1977mg | Potassium: 944mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2001IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 445mg | Iron: 4mg
Made this recipe? I'd love to see on IG!Mention @FiveHeartHome or tag #FiveHeartHome!

Adapted from AllRecipes.

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32 Comments

    1. Thank YOU for always taking the time to say thank you, Liz! 🙂 Hope you're having a great week!

  1. Made these for dinner last night. I pretty much followed the recipe, but made the red chile sauce from scratch, using a container of frozen red chile. This dish was a huge hit! I crammed an 11X13 pan FULL of these yummy guys, and five people, including an eight year old girl, cleaned it up, down to the bone! I love the cottage cheese/sour cream mix; and no one in my family seemed to notice anything unusual. Thank you so much, Samantha, for sharing this wonderful recipe; I hope to make it often. (Mmmm, this could be good with shredded beef too!)
    Ann

    1. I'm so glad to hear that these were a hit with your famiy, Ann! I totally agree that they'd be tasty with shredded beef instead of chicken, or even pulled pork I think! Thanks for taking the time to comment...hope you're having a great week. 🙂

    1. Let me know what you think, Heather! I know it sounds weird, but it tastes nothing like cottage cheese in the final dish. 🙂

  2. These look incredible! Funny that I came across this because I was just telling my husband last night that I need to make some chicken enchiladas!

    1. Thanks, Stephanie...sounds like perfect timing to me! I hope these make all of your chicken enchilada dreams come true... 😉

  3. These enchiladas sound awesome! I have a good creamy (white/green sauce) chicken enchilada recipe but have been looking for forever for a yummy red sauce enchilada recipe. Love that it has cottage cheese in it! Pinning to my dinner ideas board to try soon!

    1. Thanks so much, Jen! I'm going to have to get your green chicken enchilada recipe because that's my hubby's favorite kind. 🙂 I appreciate the kind words and the pin...hope you enjoy these when you try them!

  4. Looks so YUMMY! I would love for you to stop by and add your link to Check Me Out Saturdays on A Vision to Remember

    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Bobbie, and for the invitation to link up to your party! 🙂

  5. My mom always used cottage cheese in her lasagna, so it's not too strange to see that you're using it in the delicious looking enchiladas!! Great recipe!!

    1. Thanks so much, Jocelyn...that's the way my mom always made her lasagna, too! I appreciate you stopping by...have a great week and stay warm! 🙂

  6. This looks like the most perfect and easy kind of meal to make for the fam. Love how you talked about those questionable ingredients in some canned sauce...so true. Just WHY do they have to do that?! Love this recipe! Pinning and sharing...bcz everyone needs a good enchilada recipe to go to! (=

    1. Thanks so much, Gloria...this is definitely the go-to enchilada recipe around my house! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who's paranoid about certain canned food ingredients when I can't pronounce them... 😉 I appreciate your sweet comment and the pin...hope you have a wonderful week!

  7. Oh boy, these look really good. I love enchiladas too!! Yum. Stopping over from Dessert Now, Dinner Later.

  8. Love cottage cheese! These look delicious. They will be on my table soon. Found your blog thru Sunflower Supper. You have some great recipes--can't wait to get to know you!.This recipe is pinned.

    1. Thanks so much, Cindy! I'm glad you found me. 🙂 Enjoy looking around and thanks so much for the pin! Have a great weekend!

  9. Yet another one of your recipes that I pinned immediately after seeing the very first photo. These look SO yummy! I fell in love with Mexican food when we lived in Arizona right on the border with Mexico a few years ago, and I am always in search of yummy recipes! Thank you SO much for sharing, Samantha!

    ~Abby =)

    1. You are so sweet, Abby...thank you for the compliment and the pin! I love Mexican food, too! I hope this recipe is a fond reminder of your days in Arizona... 😉 Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

  10. I found your blog by accident and am sooo glad I did! I made this dish for dinner tonight AND your pumpkin bread. AMAZING! I am a believer and will be back often! Love when I find cooking blogs for "normal" girls, that have "normal" ingredients, found in their home. Again thank you, love it!

    1. Your sweet comment made my night, Kirston! I love to hear that people are enjoying the recipes that I share here. I'm so glad you found some keepers and I can't wait to have you back to look around some more. Happy Friday and have a great weekend! 🙂

  11. I love mexican food and this looks fabulous, much better than the current enchillada recipe I have. Thanks for sharing!

  12. Wow I love this recipe!! The use of cottage cheese is so surprising but makes sense totally. I can't wait to try your recipe. Pinned for later :). And I am adding your party to my weekly parties!!

    1. Thank you, Zainab! I know cottage cheese in these sounds so strange and I was worried about how the recipe might go over, but as good as it turns out, I just had to share. Thanks so much for the pin and I'm very excited that you're going to be linking up with us each week...YAY! 🙂

  13. Anything with "enchilada" in the title, I'm all for it! I've always made my chicken enchiladas all white, but I believe I'm going to have to try these - they look and sound scrumptious. Thanks for another winner!
    Deb

    1. I'm with you, Deb...can't go wrong with anything in the enchilada family! 🙂 I love white chicken enchiladas as well, but these are yummy in a different way. My hubby's favorite type of chicken enchiladas are green and I actually have yet to make those...guess I better get cracking. 😉 Hope your week is going well!