Zesty Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas Recipe for Family Fun

Diving into Mexican cuisine reveals a mouthwatering world of comfort food, where these creamy cream cheese chicken enchiladas shine with irresistible flavor.

Melted cheese and tender chicken create a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Spices weave through each rolled tortilla, delivering a rich and satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

This recipe breaks through traditional enchilada boundaries with its tangy cream cheese twist.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you roll up these delectable enchiladas straight from your kitchen.

The combination of succulent chicken, smooth cream cheese, and zesty sauce promises a meal that will become an instant favorite.

Get ready to savor every single bite of this crowd-pleasing southwestern delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 35 min

Total Time: 55 min

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 7

Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas: Full Ingredient List

• Chicken: Tender, shredded meat that forms the hearty core of the enchiladas, best when using rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken for maximum flavor.
• Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas that cradle the delicious filling, choose fresh and pliable ones for easy rolling.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich ingredient that adds luxurious texture and tangy depth to the filling.
• Sour Cream: Provides a cool, velvety element that balances the spicy components and enhances overall creaminess.
• Green Chilies: Mild, zesty peppers that introduce a subtle heat and bright flavor to the mixture.

• Onions: Aromatic base that adds sweetness and depth when sautéed.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that brings robust, earthy notes to the filling.
• Jalapeños: Optional spicy pepper for those who enjoy extra heat.
• Enchilada Sauce: Zesty, tomato-based sauce that ties the entire dish together.
• Cheese: Melty topping that creates a golden, irresistible crust.
• Green Onions: Fresh, crisp garnish that adds a light, sharp finish.
• Avocado: Creamy, rich topping that provides a cool contrast.
• Cilantro: Bright, herbaceous garnish that adds freshness.

Tools You Need for Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and creating delicious flavor bases.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining chicken, cream cheese, and other filling ingredients.
• 9×13 or 11×15 baking dish: Provides the right space for rolling and baking enchiladas.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and ingredients.
• Cooking spray or oil brush: Ensures enchiladas don't stick to the baking dish.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding cheese if not using pre-shredded.
• Aluminum foil: Covers the dish during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and garnishes.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

How to Assemble and Bake Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

• Flavor Foundation

Gather your essential ingredients for a mouthwatering chicken enchilada experience. This recipe transforms simple components into a zesty, crowd-pleasing meal that brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

• Vegetable Harmony

Warm a skillet and dance some chopped onions, garlic, and spicy peppers around until they become soft and fragrant. These aromatics will create a robust base for your enchilada filling.

• Creamy Chicken Blend

Combine your sautéed vegetables with tender shredded chicken, rich cream cheese, and tangy sour cream. Fold in green chilies and a whisper of salt to create a luxurious, creamy mixture that promises incredible flavor.

• Dish Preparation

Select a baking dish and give it a light coating of oil. Splash a generous layer of enchilada sauce across the bottom, creating a vibrant foundation for your culinary creation.

• Rolling Magic

Nestle spoonfuls of the chicken mixture into soft tortillas. Sprinkle cheese, then roll each one into a cozy bundle, tucking them snugly into the sauced baking dish.

• Sauce and Cheese Finale

Drench your rolled enchiladas with remaining sauce, then shower them with a blizzard of cheese that will melt into golden, bubbling perfection.

• Baking Transformation

Cover the dish with foil and let the oven work its magic. Bake until the cheese melts and the edges turn crispy and inviting.

• Serving Celebration

Allow the enchiladas a brief moment to cool, letting the flavors settle and meld together into a harmonious dish.

• Fresh Touches

Scatter fresh green onions, creamy avocado, or bright cilantro across the top. Serve alongside zesty pico de gallo and comforting refried beans for a complete meal.

Add-ons and Heat Levels for Enchiladas That Wow

• Swap chicken with ground turkey, shredded beef, or black beans for a vegetarian version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
• Adjust heat levels by removing jalapeño seeds or adding more green chilies to match your personal spice tolerance.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese mix for extra melty excitement.
• Use corn tortillas for a more traditional texture or large flour tortillas for easier rolling if you struggle with smaller sizes.
• Fully prepare and freeze enchiladas for up to 3 months – perfect for meal prep champions who love convenient dinner options.

Serving Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas with Style

• Festive Fiesta Plate: Arrange enchiladas on a colorful platter surrounded by bright cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for a restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Creamy Cool Companions: Serve with a refreshing side of Mexican-style sour cream dip or homemade guacamole to balance the rich, warm enchiladas.
• Southwestern Sidekick Spread: Create a complete meal with Spanish rice, black beans, and a zesty corn salad to complement the enchiladas' robust flavors.
• Tex-Mex Family Style: Set out small bowls of toppings like diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, extra cheese, and chopped cilantro so everyone can customize their plate.

Storage and Reheat Tips for Cheesy Enchiladas

• Refrigerator Lifeline: Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 4 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and creamy texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, keeping them fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw refrigerated enchiladas in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of extra enchilada sauce to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare the filling and assemble enchiladas in advance, storing them unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This smart technique saves time and allows for quick weeknight dinners.

Cheesy Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 min
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican comfort classic cream cheese chicken enchiladas deliver rich, creamy goodness in each bite. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and zesty sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 20 oz (567 g) red enchilada sauce
• 10–12 flour or yellow corn tortillas
• 8 oz (227 g) block cheese, shredded
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 4 oz (113 g) sour cream
• 4 oz (113 g) can chopped green chilies
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 cup chopped yellow or white onion
• 3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
• 0.5 fresh jalapeño, chopped (optional)
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• avocado
• cilantro
• green onions
• shredded lettuce
• pico de gallo
• refried beans

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the enchiladas.
2. Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, sweat onions, garlic, and jalapeños until they release their fragrant oils and become translucent.
3. Filling Creation: Combine the sautéed vegetables with shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, green chilies, and salt, mixing thoroughly to create a cohesive and flavorful filling.
4. Pan Preparation: Lightly spray the baking dish with cooking spray, then spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce to prevent sticking and enhance initial flavor profile.
5. Assembly: Distribute the chicken mixture along the center of each tortilla, sprinkle cheese, then roll carefully and position seam-side down in the prepared dish.
6. Sauce and Topping: Drizzle remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas, ensuring complete coverage, and generously scatter the remaining cheese on top.
7. Baking Process: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until cheese melts and edges become golden and crispy.
8. Resting Period: Allow enchiladas to rest for 15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and settle.
9. Final Presentation: Garnish with green onions, avocado slices, and cilantro. Serve alongside shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and refried beans.
10. Make-Ahead Option: Prepare enchiladas in advance by assembling without final sauce and cheese. Refrigerate for 1-2 days, adding toppings just before baking to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing with other ingredients.
• Chicken Selection Matters: Use rotisserie chicken or freshly shredded chicken breast for maximum tenderness and flavor complexity.
• Tortilla Tip: Warm tortillas briefly on a skillet to prevent cracking and make rolling easier without breaking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Freeze unbaked enchiladas for up to 3 months by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, thawing overnight before baking.

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg