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Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

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  • #21317

Discover the ease of making delicious chicken enchiladas in a crock pot. This dish combines shredded chicken, corn tortillas, and a flavorful sauce, topped with melted Cheddar cheese.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  2-5 hrs
Rating: 4/5

6 reviews

ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 can (15 ounce size) enchilada sauce (red or green)
2 cans (10.75 ounce size) cream of chicken soup
1 can (4 ounce size) sliced black olives or green chiles, optional
1 small onion, finely chopped
24 small corn tortillas
1 package (16 ounce size) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

directions

Cook the chicken as desired (grill, pan-fry, broil, etc). When the chicken is cooked, let it cool enough to handle, then shred the chicken and set aside.

Combine the enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, sliced olives or green chiles, and chopped onion in a bowl. Mix well.

Layer the ingredients in the crock pot in the following order: sauce mixture, tortillas, sauce mixture, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers ending with shredded cheese.

Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 2-4 hours or until heated through.

To serve, scoop the chicken enchiladas from the crock pot with a large spoon or spatula. Serve with a salad, refried beans, Spanish rice, or other desired side dishes.


crock pot notes

Crock pots/slow cookers all heat differently. There is no standard among manufacturers. Cooking times are suggested guidelines based on our testing. Please adjust cooking times and temps to work with your brand and model of slow cooker.

recipe tips


To save time, use a rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for the recipe.

Add some jalapenos or hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a spicy kick.

Try different types of cheese like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack.

Try adding some diced tomatoes or sauteed bell peppers to the sauce.

Sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving.

common recipe questions


What type of chicken should I use for the enchiladas?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well for this recipe but you can use dark meat (thighs) if you wish.

Can I use a different type of sauce for the enchiladas?

You can use either red or green enchilada sauce, or if you don't have enchilada sauce you can use taco sauce for a slightly different flavor (it is tomato-based whereas enchilada sauce is pepper-based).

Are the olives or green chiles necessary for the recipe?

They are optional, so you can omit them if you prefer.

Do I have to cook the chicken before putting it in the crock pot?

Yes, the chicken should be cooked before shredding and adding it to the crock pot.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

Corn tortillas are traditional for enchiladas, but you can use flour tortillas if you wish. They will have a different texture and flavor and may not hold up as well as corn tortillas.

How do I know when the enchiladas are ready in the crock pot?

The chicken is already cooked so the enchiladas are done when they are heated through and the cheese is melted.

Can I use a different soup than cream of chicken?

You can use another "cream of" soup such as cream of mushroom. The canned cream soup works well in the crock pot because it creates a creamy sauce without worry of it separating or curdling.

Can I add additional toppings or garnishes?

You can top the enchiladas with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or salsa as desired.

Can I prepare the enchiladas ahead of time?

You can assemble the enchiladas in the crock pot ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze any leftover enchiladas in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat in the microwave.

tools needed


Crock Pot: For cooking the enchiladas slowly.

Large Spoon or Spatula: For scooping the cooked enchiladas from the crock pot when serving.

Mixing Bowl: To combine the enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, black olives or green chiles, and chopped onion before layering.

Knife: For finely chopping the onion, and may also be used for shredding the cooked chicken if needed.

Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the onion and shredding the chicken.

Shredding Tool (Forks or Hand Mixer): Used for shredding the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.

what goes with it?


Refried Beans: Serve refried beans alongside the enchiladas for a classic combination.

Spanish Rice: Pairing spanish rice with the enchiladas adds a hearty component.

Guacamole: A fresh and chunky guacamole adds a cool contrast to the enchiladas' warm, spicy filling.

Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream can bring a tangy creaminess that pairs perfectly with the cheesy enchiladas.

Tortilla Chips: Serve crunchy tortilla chips on the side that can also double as a tool to scoop any filling or sauce.

Hot Sauce: For those who crave an extra kick, provide a selection of hot sauces to drizzle over the top of the enchiladas.


nutrition data

951 calories, 45 grams fat, 87 grams carbohydrates, 54 grams protein per serving.
Show full nutritional data (including Weight Watcher's Points ®, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, and diabetic exchanges)


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reviews & comments

  1. Susan REVIEW:

    Excellent for a pot luck or office luncheon. We have monthly luncheons at work and have a Mexican theme a couple times a year, it started out as just tacos but then we found this recipe and it was an office wide hit and the luncheon was expanded to include this and other things. We make it with canned chicken breast and add diced green chiles.

  2. Dani REVIEW:

    I made this for a cinco de Mayo party and it went over really well. It was fabulous. It had great taste, good spice and received great reviews from everyone.

  3. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    Great recipe...when I make enchiladas, I quickly put each tortilla in a hot skillet with a little melted butter. It softens them up and makes it easier to roll them!

  4. Meggers REVIEW:

    This recipe tastes amazing! I use green sauce and it usually comes out soup consistency, which I ended up liking and I call it Enchilada Soup!! =) I Highly recommend it!

  5. jlenkowec REVIEW:

    I enjoyed this recipe. It was very good. I added 1 sm can of diced green chilies for an added zing! Next time I might reduce the cream of chicken soup to 1 and a half cans

  6. Gatty68 REVIEW:

    Have not actually tried this recipe, but it sounds wonderful. Would like to know if the recipe requires green or red enchilada sauce. I would like to make it this weekend.

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