These healthy chicken enchiladas are the BEST. They're easy, chicken-cheesy, and incredibly tasty!
Green chili chicken enchiladas
When I think of enchiladas, I think of green chiles, crispy tortillas, and a creamy sauce on top. That is exactly what you're doing to get with this healthy chicken enchiladas recipe!
While typical enchiladas can have either a red or green sauce, my vote is always the one with green chiles. Green enchilada sauce is typically made with ingredients like green chiles, tomatillos, or jalapenos which can add a little extra heat.
Don't worry, these healthy chicken enchiladas are mild, but you can easily add heat by using a medium or hot enchilada sauce or green chiles. If you make the recipe as-is, the enchiladas will be pretty tame.
Healthy chicken enchiladas
These healthy chicken enchiladas are the BEST. The inspiration for these healthy chicken enchiladas came from the fact that while there are a few healthy enchilada recipes out there, almost all of them had red sauce and beans.
First, I wanted something quick and easy to make. Then I wanted something with no beans, no corn, and starring some tasty green enchilada sauce. Since I couldn't find anything that made the cut, this recipe was born.
While these are healthier than most enchilada recipes, they are just as delicious!
What ingredients do I need?
This recipe requires 10 ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- low-carb tortillas - You can use a pack of your favorite brand of regular-size tortillas. Mission Carb Balanced Tortillas is the brand my local grocery store carries.
- chicken - I use shredded chicken breast I make in a slow cooker. You can use rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or whatever you prefer.
- green chiles - A small can of green chiles will add a little extra heat to the dish!
- green enchilada sauce - Green enchilada sauce tends to have a larger heat range than red enchilada sauce, which bring some awesome green chiles and tomatillos flavors to this dish. I use a can to keep things easy.
- salt and pepper - You can add both of these to taste.
- mexican cheese - I like two mix two kinds of shredded cheeses in this recipe -- mexican and pepper jack. Mexican cheese provides the classic enchilada cheese flavor.
- pepper jack cheese - I use shredded pepper jack cheese for a little extra kick in this recipe!
- plain greek yogurt - Using plain greek yogurt will provide a creamy sauce, along with nutrition benefits!
- lime - Using a the juice of ½ of a lime will add some fun flavor to the cilantro lime sauce.
- cilantro - A little cilantro will put the final delicious touches on the cilantro lime sauce.
- Additional toppings like cilantro, limes, avocado, and plain greek yogurt
Can I make substitutions to this recipe?
- low-carb tortillas - You can use any kind of tortilla, low carb of regular flour tortillas. Flour seems to roll better than corn tortillas.
- chicken - Homemade chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken will all work great.
- green chiles - You can use mild, medium, or whatever heat of green chiles you prefer. If you don't want the extra heat from milk chiles, you can also leave them out.
- green enchilada sauce - I prefer green enchilada sauce and haven't experimented with red, but bet it could be made the same way.
- cheese - I use a blend of mexican and pepper jack cheese to keep things interesting. You can use a mix or one kind of cheese that is your favorite!
- plain greek yogurt - I haven't tried any of the variations, but I bet sour cream, a dairy-free yogurt or even cottage cheese could work in a similar way to make the sauce thick and creamy.
- lime juice - Juice from a fresh lime or from a jar will both work great.
- Additional toppings like cilantro, limes, avocado, and plain greek yogurt can all be added based to your liking!
How long does it take to make this recipe?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and get into the oven. It'll be about 20 minutes of cook time to get warm & crispy. So in less than 45 minutes you can have an incredibly delicious meal on the table.
How is the process too make this recipe?
- Gather all ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine the shredded chicken, green chilis, ¼ can of green enchilada sauce, and ½ cup of each kind of cheese. Add salt & pepper, to taste. Mix well.
- Lay out all tortillas and scoop mixture evenly among all tortillas.
- Roll each tortilla and place inside a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
- In a blender, add remaining enchilada sauce, greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro. Blend to make a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce evenly over the top of all enchiladas.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of all enchiladas.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Top with cilantro, lime, and avocado if you wish!
What do you serve with chicken enchiladas?
Some classic ideas for sides for enchiladas are rice, beans, chips, and salsa.
Are enchiladas healthy or unhealthy?
Enchiladas are healthy based on the ingredients you use, along with YOUR definition of healthy. These chicken enchiladas are healthy to me because of the balance of macronutrients. There are healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats coming from a wide range of whole foods.
One serving has 19 grams of protein, but you can easily double it and get 38 grams! The best part about these healthy chicken enchiladas is that they taste SO GOOD.
Are you supposed to cover chicken enchiladas?
I asked myself the same question! You can make the enchiladas however you want, but traditional enchiladas are usually covered in sauce and cheese. I went with the traditional style and covered these healthy chicken enchiladas with sauce and cheese as well!
Looking for more easy dinner recipes?
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Can I have the recipe?
If you try this recipe and love it, please rate it and me know your thoughts! I hope you enjoy these healthy chicken enchiladas!
Healthy Chicken Enchiladas
Equipment
- 9 x 13 casserole dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Blender
Ingredients
Enchilada Filling
- 8 low-carb tortillas
- 1 lb chicken shredded
- 4 oz can green chiles
- 10-12 oz can green enchilada sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup mexican cheese shredded
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ lime juiced
- ⅛ cup cilantro
Extra Toppings
- Additional toppings for after like cilantro, limes, avocado, plain greek yogurt
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine the shredded chicken, green chilis, ¼ can of green enchilada sauce, and ½ cup of each kind of cheese. Add salt & pepper, to taste. Mix well.
- Lay out all tortillas and scoop mixture evenly among all tortillas.
- Roll each tortilla and place inside a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
- In a blender, add remaining enchilada sauce, greek yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro. Blend to make a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce evenly over the top of all enchiladas.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of all enchiladas.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy. Let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Top with cilantro, lime, and avocado if you wish!
Jamee Brick says
So good tonight. I added a can of corn to stretch the filling. I didn’t have Greek yogurt so I used sour cream. Thanks for another great recipe!!
Jordan Smith says
I love the idea of adding corn! Thanks for sharing your substitution idea too. So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Brenna says
Hi Jordan! If I am prepping this as a freezer postpartum meal, would you recommend just prepping everything and baking when we want to eat it? Or go ahead and bake and just heat up later? Thanks!
Jordan Smith says
Hi Brenna! I would recommend just preparing everything and skipping the final step of actually baking until it's the day you're going to enjoy. I do this same thing with all of the casseroles on my website when freezing! As long as the meat is fully cooked, I usually do this. Let me know if you have more questions!
Zach says
Can I substitute beef for chicken? Does it change anything if I do?
Jordan Smith says
You can totally use beef instead of chicken! You won't need to change any steps, just make sure the beef is fully cooked before adding it to the enchilada mixture.
Olivia says
Can you put the measurements for enchilada sauce in cups? For adding to both the chicken mixture and the sauce? In the oven now and cannot wait to try - so easy!
Jordan Smith says
The enchilada sauce can is 10 oz and according to the back of the can it's about 1.25 cups of sauce for 10 oz.