Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe: Spicy Comfort Food

Buffalo chicken enchiladas represent a mouthwatering fusion of Mexican and American culinary traditions.

Southwestern comfort food gets an electrifying makeover with this fiery recipe that sparks immediate cravings.

Tangy buffalo sauce revolutionizes ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal bursting with robust flavors.

Creamy cheese and tender meat combine in a harmonious blend that promises pure satisfaction.

Unexpected spice levels elevate this dish from routine to remarkable, challenging traditional enchilada expectations.

Crisp tortillas cradle a succulent filling that dances between zingy and rich, creating a sensory experience.

Dinner becomes an adventure with these boldly seasoned enchiladas waiting to ignite your taste buds.

Why Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Bring the Heat

• Craft Spicy Comfort: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of buffalo chicken's fiery kick and enchiladas' comforting warmth, creating a perfect fusion that satisfies both heat lovers and comfort food enthusiasts.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Effortlessly transform chicken into tender, flavor-packed goodness using a slow cooker method that guarantees juicy, well-seasoned meat without constant monitoring or complex cooking techniques.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt this recipe with personal favorite toppings like blue cheese, sour cream, or green onions, making it an ideal dish for gatherings, game nights, or casual family dinners that caters to different taste preferences.
• Quick and Impressive: Whip up a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour, with simple steps that transform basic ingredients into a stunning, cheesy, saucy enchilada experience that looks and tastes far more complicated than it actually is.

What’s Inside These Spicy, Creamy Enchiladas

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main flavor and substance of the enchiladas, best when fresh and boneless.

• Hot Sauce, Butter: Create the signature buffalo chicken flavor and add richness to the dish.
• Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: Essential spices that enhance the overall seasoning and depth of flavor.

• Cornstarch, Half & Half: Help create a smooth, creamy sauce that binds the filling together.
• Broth: Adds moisture and additional flavor to the sauce.

• Corn: Adds sweetness and texture to the chicken filling.
• Cheese: Provides creamy melting quality and additional flavor to the enchiladas.
• Tortillas: Soft, flexible wraps that hold the filling and create the classic enchilada structure.

• Lettuce: Fresh base for serving that adds crunch and freshness.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles, Sour Cream, Green Onions: Optional toppings that enhance flavor and presentation.

• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall taste of the dish.

How to Roll and Bake Enchiladas with Bold Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Chicken in Slow Cooker

Mix hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and black pepper in a slow cooker. Season chicken with salt and place in the pot. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Step 2: Create Sauce Base

Remove chicken and transfer to a cutting board. Pour cooking liquid into a medium saucepan. Add broth and heat until gently simmering for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with half & half until smooth. Gradually whisk this mixture into the simmering sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Prepare Chicken Filling

• Corn
• Cheese
• Prepared sauce

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Step 6: Assemble Enchiladas

Warm tortillas on medium-high heat until flexible. Fill each tortilla with about of chicken mixture. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared dish.

Step 7: Final Baking

Pour remaining sauce over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

• Blue cheese crumbles
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions
• Optional additional toppings of your choice

Enjoy your delicious Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas!

Tips for Spicier, Cheesier Buffalo Chicken Bakes

• Shred Chicken Like a Pro: Pull the cooked chicken apart using two forks for the most tender, stringy texture that absorbs sauce perfectly.
• Warm Tortillas Wisely: Quickly heat tortillas on a skillet to prevent cracking and make them more pliable for easy rolling.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust hot sauce quantity to match your heat tolerance, allowing everyone to enjoy the buffalo chicken flavor.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Let cheese sit at room temperature before sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting across the enchiladas.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat chicken mixture dry before filling tortillas to avoid excess liquid making your enchiladas wet and mushy.

Reheating Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Like a Pro

• Refrigerate enchiladas in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keep them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and avoid absorbing other food odors.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Alternatively, warm enchiladas in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle extra cheese on top before reheating to restore that delicious melted texture.
• Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months by placing enchiladas in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve their original flavor and texture.

Perfect Sides and Drinks for This Zesty Dish

• Enhance Buffalo Heat with Cool Blue Cheese: Pair the spicy enchiladas with creamy blue cheese dressing to balance the intense buffalo chicken flavor, creating a refreshing contrast that cools down the palate.
• Crisp Beer Companion: Select a light, hoppy beer like pale ale or wheat beer to complement the tangy buffalo sauce and cut through the richness of cheese and chicken, providing a refreshing counterpoint.
• Zesty Citrus Margarita Match: Mix a classic lime margarita to add bright, citrusy notes that will help cleanse the spicy palate and enhance the overall flavor profile of the enchiladas.
• Cooling Cucumber Salad Side: Prepare a simple cucumber salad with fresh herbs and light vinaigrette to provide a crisp, clean accompaniment that refreshes the taste buds between bites of the rich, spicy enchiladas.

Buffalo-Inspired Variations That Turn Heads

• Spicy Ranch Remix: Replace hot sauce with ranch dressing and add jalapeños for extra heat. Mix in diced bell peppers to boost veggie content and create a zestier flavor profile.
• Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas: Swap standard sauce with green chile enchilada sauce. Incorporate roasted green chiles and pepper jack cheese for a southwestern-inspired variation that packs serious flavor.
• Mediterranean Fusion Enchiladas: Transform the recipe by using feta cheese, adding kalamata olives, and incorporating oregano and garlic. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce instead of traditional toppings for a unique cross-cultural experience.
• Vegetarian Buffalo Jackfruit Version: Replace chicken with shredded jackfruit seasoned similarly. Use plant-based cheese and add black beans for protein. Maintain the signature buffalo sauce for authentic taste while creating a meat-free alternative.

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Zesty Buffalo chicken enchiladas blend Mexican and American flavors with spicy, creamy goodness. Hearty tortillas stuffed with tangy chicken and drizzled with blue cheese promise a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup hot sauce (like Cholula)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt

Sauce and Base Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 414 milliliters) chicken broth
• 0.5 cup half & half
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 14 corn tortillas (6-inch)
• 1 cup corn
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (divided)

Garnish and Serving Options:

• Shredded/chopped lettuce
• Crumbled blue cheese (optional)
• Sour cream
• Snipped green onions

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Instructions

1. Combine hot sauce, butter, garlic powder, and black pepper in a slow cooker. Season chicken with salt and place in the cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
2. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board. Pour cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and add chicken broth. Simmer the mixture for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Whisk cornstarch with half & half (or 120 milliliters/4 fluid ounces) until completely smooth. Gradually incorporate this mixture into the simmering sauce, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, corn, of cheese, and about of prepared sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Generously grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) casserole dish with butter. Spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom of the dish.
6. Warm tortillas on a medium-high heat skillet for a few seconds on each side to make them pliable. Fill each tortilla with approximately of the chicken mixture, then roll tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
7. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolled enchiladas, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly across the top of the enchiladas.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown and bubbly.
9. Serve hot, garnished with crisp lettuce leaves, blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, chopped green onions, and additional toppings as desired.

Notes

• Check chicken tenderness by easily pulling apart with two forks, ensuring it’s perfectly cooked and ready for shredding.
• Warm tortillas just before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling smoother and more manageable.
• Double-check sauce consistency by stirring – it should coat the back of a spoon without being too thick or runny.
• Keep extra hot sauce nearby for those who love an extra kick of spicy flavor in their enchiladas.
• Consider preparing chicken filling a day ahead to save time and enhance flavor development.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 474 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 1032mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 97mg