Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Ina Garten’s Foolproof Chicken Enchiladas Recipe For Dinner

Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas represent a delightful culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Southern comfort meets Mexican-inspired flavors in this crowd-pleasing dish that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Creamy, zesty, and packed with robust ingredients, these enchiladas showcase how simple components can create something truly spectacular.

Comfort food enthusiasts will adore the harmonious blend of tender proteins, melted cheese, and rich sauce.

Perfectly balanced spices dance across each bite, telling a story of culinary creativity and homestyle cooking.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges traditional techniques with modern kitchen convenience.

Families and friends gather around the table, eager to savor these mouthwatering enchiladas:

Why You’ll Love Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas

Why You'll Love Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas
  • Savor Cheesy Comfort: Dive into a mouthwatering dish that combines tender shredded chicken, melted cheese, and rich enchilada sauce, creating a comforting meal that hugs your taste buds with every bite.
  • Effortless Weeknight Triumph: Whip up these enchiladas in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy families craving a delicious Mexican-inspired dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Personalize your enchiladas with a variety of toppings like fresh cilantro, tangy sour cream, or crisp lettuce, transforming a simple recipe into a personalized flavor explosion that keeps everyone excited about dinner.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience with this simple baked dish that comes together in a single baking pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor, so you can spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.

Ingredient List for Chicken Enchiladas by Ina

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: Shredded and seasoned protein base that forms the core of the enchiladas, preferably tender and moist chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.
Tortilla and Cheese:
  • Flour Tortillas, Shredded Cheese: Soft tortillas provide the wrap, while cheese adds richness and creates a melty golden topping, choose medium-sized tortillas and a good melting cheese like Monterey Jack or cheddar.
Sauce and Seasonings:
  • Enchilada Sauce: Flavorful red sauce that adds moisture and traditional Mexican taste, store-bought or homemade sauce works well.
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the chicken's flavor, adjust according to personal preference.
  • Optional Garnishes: Diced Onions, Chopped Cilantro, Sour Cream, Shredded Lettuce, Cotija Cheese: Fresh toppings that add texture, brightness, and additional layers of flavor to the finished dish.

How to Roll and Bake Ina’s Chicken Enchiladas

How to Roll and Bake Ina’s Chicken Enchiladas

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350ºF (175ºC) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Shredded chicken
  • Enchilada sauce
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Toss everything together until the chicken is perfectly coated with zesty flavors.

Step 3: Warm the Tortillas

Soften your tortillas in the microwave for about 1 minute. Flip them halfway to ensure they’re evenly heated and ready for rolling.

Step 4: Assemble the Enchiladas

Lay out your warm tortillas and fill each with:
  • Seasoned chicken mixture
  • Shredded cheese

Roll each tortilla tightly and place them seam-side down in a large baking dish.

Step 5: Add the Sauce and Cheese

Generously pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas. Sprinkle a generous layer of additional shredded cheese on top.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Watch for the cheese to become melted and gloriously bubbly.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Pull out your masterpiece and dress it up with optional toppings:
  • Diced onions
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Cotija cheese

Enjoy your homemade chicken enchiladas that are sure to impress!

Great Tips for Gooey Enchiladas

Great Tips for Gooey Enchiladas
  • Soften Tortillas Gently: Wrap corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds to prevent cracking and make them more pliable.
  • Select Robust Enchilada Sauce: Choose a high-quality red or green sauce that complements the chicken's flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
  • Customize Toppings Creatively: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, diced green onions, crumbled queso fresco, or a dollop of tangy Mexican crema for added texture and zest.
  • Boost Chicken's Flavor: Mix shredded chicken with diced green chilies, ground cumin, or chopped jalapeños to create a more complex and spicy filling.
  • Make Ahead and Freeze: Prepare enchiladas in advance, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Best Storage Advice for Chicken Enchiladas

  • Seal Tightly: Transfer enchiladas to an airtight glass container with a secure lid, preventing moisture and odors from seeping in. Glass containers maintain food quality better than plastic and keep flavors intact.
  • Flash Freeze First: Before long-term storage, place enchiladas on a baking sheet uncovered in the freezer for 1-2 hours. This technique prevents soggy edges and helps individual portions separate easily when you're ready to reheat.
  • Label Strategically: Mark your storage container with the date and contents using waterproof marker. Tracking helps you monitor freshness and prevents mystery meals from lingering in your freezer, ensuring you consume enchiladas within their optimal quality window.

New Takes on Ina Garten Chicken Enchiladas

  • Spicy Tex-Mex Adventure: Replace half the chicken with ground beef and add diced jalapeños for a fiery kick. Mix in some chili powder and cumin to intensify the flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Green Chile Option: Swap chicken with roasted poblano peppers, black beans, and corn. Use green enchilada sauce instead of red for a different color and taste sensation.
  • Seafood Coastal Remix: Substitute shredded chicken with tender sautéed shrimp or white fish. Incorporate lime zest and add a splash of tequila to the sauce for a bright, coastal-inspired version of the classic recipe.
  • Breakfast Enchilada Fusion: Transform the recipe by adding scrambled eggs and crispy bacon bits to the chicken filling. Top with a light drizzle of salsa verde and serve with a side of Mexican-style potatoes for a morning meal that packs a punch.

Wrapping Up the Enchilada Tray

Ina Garten’s chicken enchiladas offer culinary magic that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary comfort.

Rich layers of spiced chicken, melted cheese, and zesty sauce create an irresistible Mexican-inspired masterpiece.

Homemade enchiladas showcase authentic flavors that dance across palates with remarkable complexity.

Delightful aromas will fill kitchen spaces, promising a memorable dining experience for family and friends.

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Low Carb Keto Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe

Low Carb Keto Cauliflower Cheese Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy Low Carb Keto Cauliflower Cheese Soup delivers comforting richness without heavy carbohydrates. Cheesy goodness meets nutritious cauliflower in this satisfying winter recipe, promising warmth and flavor that fills you with hearty satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 4 cups / 480g cauliflower (cut into florets)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)

Liquid Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups / 840ml chicken broth
  • 1 cup / 240ml heavy cream (double cream)

Cheese:

  • 3 cups / 340g cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

  1. Warm a Dutch oven over medium heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds, stirring gently to prevent burning.
  2. Cascade chicken broth and heavy cream into the pot, then carefully introduce cauliflower florets. Elevate the temperature to trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the vegetables to tenderize for 10-20 minutes until they yield effortlessly when pierced with a fork.
  3. Strategically extract roughly one-third of the cooked cauliflower using a slotted spoon, setting these florets aside for later incorporation.
  4. Transform the remaining soup into a silky landscape using an immersion blender, creating a uniformly smooth consistency that glides across the palate.
  5. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and methodically incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, adding increments while continuously stirring. Ensure each cheese addition melts completely before introducing the next, ultimately blending once more to achieve an exceptionally creamy texture.
  6. Remove the pot from heat and gently fold in the previously reserved cauliflower florets, allowing them to be enveloped by the luxurious, cheese-infused base.

Notes

  • Choose crisp, vibrant cauliflower heads with tight, unblemished florets for maximum flavor and creamy texture.
  • Hand-grate cheese directly from a fresh block to ensure smooth melting and richer taste without unwanted coating agents.
  • Divide blending process into smaller portions to prevent kitchen splatter and maintain consistent soup consistency.
  • Monitor soup’s liquid level during cooking, adding broth gradually to achieve desired thickness and preventing over-reduction.
  • Sample soup’s seasoning after cheese incorporation, allowing natural saltiness to guide final salt and spice adjustments.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 312 kcal
  • Sugar: 2.5g
  • Sodium: 600mg (from chicken broth and cheese)
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g (from heavy cream and cheddar cheese)
  • Carbohydrates: 7.2g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 14.2g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg (from dairy ingredients)
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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