BEST CHICKEN ENCHILADAS EVER!

BEST CHICKEN ENCHILADAS EVER! image

Categories Chicken Bake Dinner Casserole/Gratin

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

SAUCE: 2 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
2 Tbsp. all-purpose or gluten-free flour
4 Tbsp. chili powder (Spice Islands!)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
ENCHILADAS:
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small white onion, peeled and diced
1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into small 1/2-inch pieces (*or see substitution using pre-cooked shredded chicken)
salt and pepper
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans or lentils, rinsed and drained
8-10 flour tortillas
3 cups Mexican-blend shredded cheese
1 batch red enchilada sauce, or 1 can store-bought enchilada sauce

Steps:

SAUCE: Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir together over the heat for one minute. Stir in the remaining seasonings (chili powder through oregano). Then gradually add in the stock, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick. Use immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to two weeks. (*I consider this sauce pretty mild. But if you are wary about heat/spice in your sauce, I would begin with 2 tablespoons chili powder and add more from there once the sauce has reached a simmer if you'd like.) ENCHILADAS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your enchilada sauce, if making homemade. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add diced chicken and green chiles, and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside. To assemble the enchiladas, set up an assembly line including: tortillas, enchilada sauce, beans, chicken mixture, and cheese. Lay out a tortilla, and spread two tablespoons of sauce over the surface of the tortilla. Add beans in a line down the middle of the tortilla, then add in a spoonful of the chicken mixture, then sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheese. Roll up tortilla and place in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Then spread the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas, and sprinkle on the remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately.