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Make tonight’s meal delicious with this easy Chicken Enchilada Skillet made in one pan and topped with 2 heaping cups of cheese.
A delicious and easy chicken enchilada skillet recipe
If there’s one dish that’s always a crowd winner no matter how it’s made, it’s a plate of enchiladas. And when that dish can be made in one pan and includes every ingredient that makes enchiladas great (cheese, enchilada sauce, chiles…) well, then there are some serious bonus points to be awarded.
This easy chicken enchilada skillet is just that. It’s all made within a single pan and begins on the stovetop before being transferred to the oven to achieve a level of perfection that only something with perfectly melted cheese can reach.
Ingredients in these skillet enchiladas
This recipe utilizes classic enchilada ingredients such as onion, black beans, enchilada sauce, and salsa. We’re adding chicken for extra protein and achieving a top-notch flavor with the use of various spices.
- Avocado oil: First up, you will need 2 tbsp of avocado oil.
- Yellow onion: 1/2 of a yellow onion will be sautรฉed in the avocado oil. It will need to be diced prior to being added to the pan.
- Chicken: For the chicken, use 4 cups, cooked and shredded.
- Black beans: Throw in 1 14oz can of drained and rinsed black beans for extra flavor and protein.
- Enchilada sauce: 1 10oz can of enchilada sauce is the perfect amount for this recipe.
- Diced green chiles: You can’t have enchiladas without green chiles! Use 1 4oz can.
- Salsa: Add some more flavor with 1 cup of mild salsa.
- Water: You will need about 1/3 cup of water to help combine all of the ingredients.
- Spices: When it comes to seasonings, use 1/2 tsp each of salt, oregano, cumin, and onion powder.
- Tortillas: Next, you will need 6 6-inch corn tortillas, cut intro strips.
- Cheese: Finish off the recipe with 2 cups of either Mexican or cheddar shredded cheese.
- Toppings: Optional toppings include sour cream, Greek yogurt, hot sauce, and/or cilantro.
Kitchen tools needed for this recipe
This recipe keeps things very simple with the kitchen tools! You will need a cutting board, chopping knife, oven-safe sautรฉ pan, and spatula. For measuring ingredients you will need 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, and 1 cup sized cups.
When it comes to the oven-safe sautรฉ pan, a cast iron skillet is going to be great. I recommend using one of those if possible!
How to make this chicken enchilada skillet
This recipe is surprisingly easy. You’ll only need around 30 minutes for prep and baking.
First, preheat the oven to 350ยบF.
Heat a large oven-safe sautรฉ pan over medium-high heat and add oil.
Once hot, add the onions and sautรฉ for 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken, beans, enchilada sauce, chiles, salsa, and water.
Next, stir in all of the spices and add the tortilla strips. Mix well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes over a medium simmer.
Remove from the heat and add the cheese to the top. Then, transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes. Top with preferred toppings such as sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, and hot sauce. Enjoy!
Additional ingredient options
Wondering how you can add even more flavors to your recipe? Many different ingredients can be mixed in or used as toppings. If interested, try some of these!
- Red onion: If you want a more potent flavor, you can use red onion in your enchiladas! Add in place or in addition to the yellow onion.
- Rice: Rice will bulk up your enchiladas a bit.
- Avocado: Diced avocado makes a great topping.
- Green onion: The same goes for green onions!
- Black olives: Black olives are โ you guessed it โ another great topping.
Storing leftovers
Wind up with leftover enchiladas? You can store this recipe for two days when you refrigerate it in an airtight container. If you want to keep the enchiladas for down the road, transfer them to a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, place in the freezer, and enjoy within 2 months.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
In the mood for some more Mexican meals? Here are some delicious options including quinoa salad, casserole, and dip recipes!
- Hot Taco Dip Recipe
- Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Healthy Turkey Enchiladas
- Mexican Quinoa Casserole
Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Make tonight’s meal delicious with this easy Chicken Enchilada Skillet made in one pan and topped with 2 heaping cups of cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 14oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 10oz can enchilada sauce
- 1 4oz can diced green chiles
- 1 cup mild salsa
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 6 6inch corn tortillas cut into strips
- 2 cups shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: sour cream, hot sauce, cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Heat a large oven safe saute pan over medium-high heat. Add oil.
- Once hot, add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, beans, enchilada sauce, chiles, salsa, and water.
- Stir in all spices, then add in tortilla strips. Mix well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes over a medium simmer.
- Turn off heat and add cheddar cheese to top. Transfer to oven and bake or 15 minutes.
- Let cool ten minutes before serving. Top with sour cream, greek yogurt, cilantro, and hot sauce.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Courtney says
It was delicious and filling!! We had plenty of leftovers. I was hesitant about the tortilla strips at first but they were a great addition. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Courtney, so glad you loved it!! ๐
Katie B says
Excellent! Doubled the recipe in a huge iron skillet and my family ate the leftovers all werk. Added jalapeรฑo and corn, definitely will be making this again.
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy it was such a hit! ๐
Danielle says
This is our new favorite ELW recipe! So, so good!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Danielle, so glad you loved it! ๐
Alexa says
Was so yummy & my husband and me both went for seconds! Perfect for taco Tuesday
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alexa, so happy you both loved it!! ๐
Cheryl says
So delicious! Definitely don’t skip the tortillas! This is a fun midweek meal that comes together really easily and with minimal dishes!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Cheryl, so glad you loved it! ๐
Nicole says
10/10 for flavor and for being SO easy to make. Don’t skip out on the tortillas!! I only had flour tortillas on hand and it still turned out amazing. New favorite!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so glad you loved it and made it your own!
Hayley says
So delicious! New fav ELW recipe!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hayley, so happy you loved it!!
sydney wallace says
made this for the first time tonight, it was super easy and so flavorful!! very delicious. will definitely add this to my usuals!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney, so happy you loved it!!
Hannah says
I made this for dinner the other night, it was so easy and tasty! My husband and I loved it!
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you both enjoyed it!
Madison says
So good and super easy! A new weeknight staple for us that works great for leftovers.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Madison, so happy you loved it! ๐
Avery says
This recipe is so good! Itโs packed with flavor and is great for leftovers!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Avery, so happy you loved it! ๐
Sophie says
I can’t say enough good things about this recipe!! After making it for dinner last night, I immediately sent it a few of my friends to try, that’s how much we loved it!
It was unreal — so easy to put together and yet so so delicious. It was a HUGE hit in my house. This will definitely become a monthly staple in my house for dinner – along with other ELW Recipes!
Another comment below suggested adding Jalapenos which I’ll be doing next time!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sophie, so happy you loved it so much and thanks for sharing! ๐
Kayla says
Super easy to make and great flavors, will definitely be putting this into our rotation!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kayla, so happy you loved it! ๐
Nora says
Delicious and easy recipe! Will be making often!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nora, so glad you loved it! ๐
Megan says
So easy and yummy!!! Love everything that Erin creates. I saw this on insta and knew I had to make this weekend.
I used Trader Joeโs enchilada sauce and I feel like it gave it a great kick.
Little sour cream on top and itโs perfect!
Meal prep is set for the week; Thank you Erin!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Lauren Odquist says
This dish will absolutely be a new staple in our house. Simple ingredients, one pan, quick prep, quick cooking time!
If I had to make any changes to it, it would only be to add jalapeรฑos.
Another ELW hit for this household!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy it was a hit! ๐
Erin says
So simple and good! I added corn too!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so glad you loved it and made it your own! Great addition!!
Katelynn says
Our girl Erin honestly never failsโฆso tasty and so easy to make!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katelynn, so happy you loved it!! ๐
Chelsea says
Yes maโm. Just go ahead and make this and then take the leftovers for lunch and make your coworkers jealous. I made without the green chiles because i didnโt have any- still delish!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chelsea, so happy you loved it and made it your own! ๐
Maggie says
Love this! Really delicious, super easy to make AND easy clean up. I have two young kids, and one of them refuses most new foods. Itโs hard to find things everyone will eatโฆ but even he liked it! Definitely adding this to the rotation.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maggie, so happy you all enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!!