Best 8 Layered Chicken Enchiladas With Tomatillo Cilantro Sauce Recipes

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Enchiladas are a beloved Mexican dish that combines flavors and textures to create a culinary masterpiece. These Layered Chicken Enchiladas take this classic dish to the next level with a unique tomatillo-cilantro sauce that adds a fresh, tangy flavor to every bite. The recipe features a combination of tender chicken, flavorful spices, and a creamy sauce, all wrapped in soft corn tortillas. Each layer is carefully constructed to deliver a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Along with the main recipe, this article also includes a delectable Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce recipe, a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, marinade, or sauce for a variety of dishes. With its bright, tangy flavor, this sauce adds a refreshing touch to any meal. Additionally, there's a foolproof Homemade Corn Tortillas recipe, guiding you through the process of creating authentic corn tortillas from scratch, ensuring the freshest and most authentic enchilada experience.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE



Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce image

Light and fresh chicken enchiladas filled with tender, smoky chicken and cheddar cheese in a tangy tomatillo sauce.

Provided by Jennifer Segal, inspired by a recipe in Cook's Illustrated

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a chef's knife
¾ pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, cut into 1-inch chunks
3 jalapeño chiles, seeded and roughly chopped (see note)
1 teaspoon sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 pound chicken tenderloins
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
8 ounces (2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
11 6-inch corn tortillas
2½ tablespoons olive oil
3 ounces (¾ cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Smoked paprika
¾ cup sour cream
1 small heart of romaine lettuce (or 5-6 leaves), shredded
1 avocado diced
1 lime, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatillos, jalapeños, sugar, salt, cumin and ⅓ cup water; bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tomatillos are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and purée until completely smooth. Set aside.
  • Place the chicken tenderloins in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the cumin, smoked paprika and salt. Toss with tongs until the chicken is evenly coated with the spice blend.
  • Heat the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken and cook until just done, about 2 minutes per side; transfer to a plate to cool. Do not rinse the pan. Add the onions and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into bite-sized pieces. (All tenderloins have a tough tendon running through them; just remove it.) Add the shredded chicken to the pan with the onions, along with the chopped cilantro and shredded cheese.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Spread ¾ cup of the tomatillo sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
  • Pour the oil into a small bowl or ramekin. Using a pastry brush (or your hands), brush both sides of each tortilla with oil, then stack them on a plate and microwave until hot and steamy, 1½ - 2 minutes. This makes them pliable.
  • Spoon about ⅓ cup of the filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly and place side by side in the baking dish, seam side down.
  • Pour the remaining chili sauce over the top, and use the back of a spoon to spread evenly over each tortilla. Sprinkle the cheese down the center of the enchiladas. Bake until hot and bubbling, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle the smoked paprika down the center of the enchiladas and serve immediately with sour cream, lettuce, avocado and lime wedges. (The nutritional information below does not include the sour cream, romaine lettuce or avocado used to top the enchiladas.)
  • Note: If you touch the seeds of the jalapeño pepper, just be sure to wash your hands well and avoid touching your eyes.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked enchiladas can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost them in the refrigerator for 24 hours and then reheat, covered in foil, in a 325°F oven until hot.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 3/4 enchiladas, Calories 991, Fat 66g, Carbohydrate 61g, Protein 41g, SaturatedFat 18g, UnsaturatedFat 1g, Sugar 9g, Fiber 9g, Sodium 2070mg, Cholesterol 126mg

LAYERED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO-CILANTRO SAUCE



Layered Chicken Enchiladas With Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce image

A layered enchilada dish that is creamy and rich with a tangy tomatillo sauce. Delicious! From Bon Appetit September issue of this year. The amount of cheese could easily be reduced for this dish, but mmm...yum! The kids loved it!

Provided by lisar

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 lbs large tomatillos, husked, rinsed and halved
1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
10 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups sliced green onions
1 bunch very coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 large serrano chili, sliced with seeds
12 (5 -6 inch) corn tortillas
4 cups cooked chicken
1 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into strips
1 cup whipping cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450.
  • Mix tomatillos, chicken broth and garlic cloves in a large saucepan. Cover and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer hot mixture to processor. Add sliced green onions, cilantro and sliced chile; blend mixture to coarse puree (Note: be extremely careful when processing hot liquids). Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Overlap 6 tortillas in a sprayed 13 x 9 pan. Top with half of the chicken strips and half of the mozzarella strips. Pour 2 cups tomatillo sauce evenly over. Top with remaining tortillas, chicken and mozzarella. Pour 1 ½ cups tomatillo sauce over, then whipping cream. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Cool enchiladas 10 minutes. Serve with remaining tomatillos sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 512.1, Fat 30.6, SaturatedFat 15.9, Cholesterol 138.1, Sodium 451.6, Carbohydrate 25.8, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 6.1, Protein 35

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH ROASTED TOMATILLO CHILE SALSA



Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Chile Salsa image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 39

1 pound tomatillos, husked
1 white onion, peeled, sliced, quartered or whole
4 garlic cloves
2 jalapenos
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 lime, juiced
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken stock, store-bought
Chopped cilantro leaves
1 deli roasted chicken (about 3 pounds), boned, meat shredded
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
10 large flour tortillas
1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 cups sour cream
Chopped tomatoes and cilantro leaves, for garnish
Spicy Black Beans, recipe follows
Yellow Rice, recipe follows
Guacamole, optional
2 cups (about 1 pound) dried black beans, picked over, soaked overnight
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 cups long-grain rice
4 cups water
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • For the salsa:
  • On a baking tray, roast tomatillos, onion, garlic and jalapenos for 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the roasted vegetables and any juices on the bottom of the tray to a food processor. Add the cumin, salt, cilantro, and lime juice and pulse mixture until well combined but still chunky.
  • For the enchiladas:
  • Meanwhile heat a 2 count of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and caramelized - this should take 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin then cook for a further minute. Sprinkle on the flour and stir to ensure the flour doesn't burn then gradually add the chicken stock to make a veloute. Continue stirring over a low simmer until the flour cooks and the liquid thickens. Turn off the heat, add half of the roasted tomatillo chile salsa, some additional fresh chopped cilantro and fold in the shredded chicken meat. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • Change the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees F and begin assembling the dish. Take a large flameproof baking dish and smear the bottom with some of the reserved tomatillo salsa. Now take the flour tortillas and briefly flash them over the stove-top flame (or put them briefly under the broiler if using an electric stove). Using a shallow bowl, coat each tortilla lightly with the reserved salsa mix. Put a scoop of the shredded chicken-enchilada mix on top of the tortilla followed by a sprinkle of the shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling and roll like a cigar to enclose it. Using a spatula place the tortillas in the baking dish and continue to do the same with all the tortillas. Finally pour over some more of the salsa and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until bubbly and cracked on top. Garnish, cilantro and tomato.
  • Serve hot with Spicy Black Beans and Yellow Rice, the remaining tomatillo salsa, sour cream and fresh guacamole, if desired.
  • In a large pot, soak beans overnight covered in water by 2 inches. Drain and set aside.
  • In the same pot, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and bay leaf and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and cover with water by about 1-inch. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste the beans and season with salt and pepper.
  • Put all the ingredients into a heavy-bottomed pot, stir well, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat until the rice has absorbed the water, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the garlic and bay leaf, fluff with a fork, and serve.

LAYERED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO-CILANTRO SAUCE



Layered Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce image

The tortillas and filling are layered (instead of rolled) to reduce prep time.

Categories     Milk/Cream     Chicken     Garlic     Onion     Bake     Mozzarella     Hot Pepper     Tomatillo     Cilantro     Tortillas     Bon Appétit

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 pounds large tomatillos, husked, rinsed, halved
1 1/4 cups low-salt chicken broth
10 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups sliced green onions
2 cups (packed) very coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 large serrano chile, sliced (with seeds)
12 5- to 6-inch corn tortillas
1 purchased roasted chicken, meat torn into strips (about 4 cups)
1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, cut into strips
1 cup whipping cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix tomatillos, chicken broth, and garlic cloves in large saucepan. Cover and bring mixture to boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer hot mixture to processor. Add sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and sliced chile; blend mixture to coarse puree. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Overlap 6 tortillas in 13x9x2-inch oval or rectangular baking dish. Top tortillas with half of chicken strips and half of mozzarella strips. Pour 2 cups tomatillo sauce evenly over. Top with remaining tortillas, chicken strips, and mozzarella. Pour 1 1/2 cups tomatillo sauce over, then whipping cream. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until bubbling, about 25 minutes. Cool enchiladas 10 minutes. Serve with remaining tomatillo sauce.

CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLO AND CILANTRO SAUCE



Chicken with Tomatillo and Cilantro Sauce image

Provided by Peter Hoffman

Categories     Food Processor     Chicken     Broil     Hot Pepper     Healthy     Tomatillo     Cilantro     Seed     Self

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound tomatillos, husked
3 serrano chiles, stemmed
2 whole skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds), halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds, toasted 5 minutes in dry cast-iron pan over medium heat

Steps:

  • Move broiler rack into position closest to flame. Set broiler to medium. Place tomatillos and chiles on a rimmed baking sheet; broil until soft and blackened in spots, about 5 minutes. Turn; broil other side 5 minutes. Remove from broiler and transfer to a food processor; blend. Increase broiler heat to high. Place chicken on same baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Broil chicken until browned, about 9 minutes. Turn; broil other side 9 minutes. Heat oil in a large saucepan over low heat; cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add pureed tomatillos and chiles; simmer uncovered, 2 minutes. Add cilantro and 1 teaspoon salt. Gently place chicken in sauce. Simmer, covered, until meat is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and cilantro. Serve with Roasted Kabocha Squash With Cumin Salt .

TOMATILLO-CILANTRO SAUCE



Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce image

Make and share this Tomatillo-Cilantro Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Studentchef

Categories     Sauces

Time 25m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 lb tomatillo
1/2 small green pepper, deseeded, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, destemeed, and deseeded
1 scallion, chopped
4 slices white bread, crust removed, and torn into pieces
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat broiler.
  • Remove the stems and husks from the tomatillos and rinse them. Place the tomatilloson a broiler pan and broil until the skins blister, crack, and begin to blacken. Remove from the broiler and cut off any black spots.
  • Put all ingredients (including tomatillos) in a blender and blend until smooth. Just before serving, heat just the amount you'll be serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161.4, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 848, Carbohydrate 30.8, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 5.2, Protein 5

LAYERED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS



Layered Chicken Enchiladas image

Make and share this Layered Chicken Enchiladas recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Kim D.

Categories     Chicken

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup cooking oil
8 6-inch corn tortillas
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup cooked chicken, diced
1 (4 ounce) can of old el paso chopped green chilies
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 (10 ounce) can old el paso green enchilada sauce

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350F degrees.
  • Heat oil in a small skillet to 350F.
  • Softened each tortilla by dipping in hot oil for 2-3 seconds on each side; drain on paper towel.
  • Place one tortilla on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle with ¼ cup cheese, ¼ cup chicken, 1 tablespoon green chilies, 1 tablespoon chopped onions.
  • Top with another tortilla; pour 1/3 cup enchilada sauce over stack.
  • Sprinkle with ¼ cup cheese.
  • Repeat process with remaining tortillas to make 3 additional stacks.
  • Bake at 350F for about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 607.3, Fat 47.2, SaturatedFat 14.7, Cholesterol 50.3, Sodium 509.6, Carbohydrate 30.3, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 3, Protein 18.3

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE (ENCHILADAS VERDES)



Chicken Enchiladas With Tomatillo Sauce (Enchiladas Verdes) image

From Goya's "Taste of the Americas: Mexico" booklet, enchiladas (Mexico's comfort food) are made with an authentic green tomatillo sauce. Some changes were made for simplicity or variations.

Provided by ElleFirebrand

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
adobo seasoning, to taste
1/2 white onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup sour cream
3 serrano chilies
2 (26 ounce) cans whole tomatillos, drained
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
3 tablespoons cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
12 corn tortillas or 12 flour tortillas
1 cup sour cream
1/2 white onion, diced
1 cup queso fresco or 1 cup monterey jack cheese

Steps:

  • Season chicken with adobo. Place chicken, onion, garlic in saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and let chicken cook in broth. Shred chicken meat, approximately 4 cups. Mix with sour cream.
  • Put chilies in saucepan with enough water to cover, bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. In batches, puree chilies, tomatillos, garlic, onion and cilantro in blender until smooth.
  • In skillet on medium-high heat, heat oil until it starts to smoke. Add tomatillo sauce and cook, stirring constantly. When sauce begins to bubble, lower heat and cook for 5 minutes until noticeably darker and thicker. Season sauce with Adobo. There should be about 3 cups of sauce. If needed, stir in chicken broth.
  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Using your fingers, dip each tortilla briefly in sauce, covering both sides. Place on plate, spread on large spoonful of filling and roll up. Place seem side down in baking dish and repeat for each enchilada. Cover with remaining sauce, cover with foil and heat in oven for 10 minutes or until enchiladas are heated through. Top with sour cream, onions and cheese. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and save time.
  • Choose the Right Tomatillos: For the tomatillo-cilantro sauce, choose firm, green tomatillos. Avoid any that are soft or have brown spots.
  • Roast the Tomatillos: Roasting the tomatillos brings out their natural sweetness and flavor. You can roast them in the oven or on a grill.
  • Make the Sauce Ahead of Time: The tomatillo-cilantro sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it a great option for meal prepping.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro and oregano add a lot of flavor to the enchiladas. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use less since they are more concentrated.
  • Layer the Enchiladas Properly: When layering the enchiladas, start with a layer of sauce, then a layer of tortillas, then a layer of filling, and repeat. This will help keep the enchiladas from falling apart.
  • Bake the Enchiladas Until Golden Brown: Bake the enchiladas until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortillas are golden brown. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.

Conclusion:

These layered chicken enchiladas with tomatillo-cilantro sauce are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican dish. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The roasted tomatillo sauce is flavorful and tangy, and the combination of chicken, cheese, and tortillas is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a tasty and satisfying Mexican meal, give these enchiladas a try!

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