Tangy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Recipe for Busy Nights

Tender chicken and melted cheese dance together in these mouthwatering slow cooker chicken enchiladas that promise a delightful dinner experience.

The easy-to-prepare meal blends authentic Mexican flavors with simple cooking techniques.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more exciting with this hassle-free recipe.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of spicy and savory notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Busy home cooks can rejoice in this hands-off approach to creating a comforting meal.

The slow cooker works its magic, infusing every ingredient with rich, deep flavors that transport you straight to a cozy Mexican kitchen.

Prepare to savor a dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dining table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4-8 hours

Total Time: About 5 hours

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the heart of the enchiladas, choose boneless skinless breasts or thighs for tender, easily shredded meat.

• Onions, Garlic: Create a robust flavor foundation, select fresh onions with firm texture and garlic without green sprouts for maximum taste.
• Cumin, Chili Powder: Authentic Mexican spices that deliver warm, earthy undertones, opt for fresh ground spices for most vibrant flavor profile.

• Enchilada Sauce: Provides rich, tangy base that keeps chicken moist, choose red sauce for deeper flavor or green for lighter notes.
• Green Chiles: Adds subtle heat and complexity, select canned fire-roasted varieties for enhanced smoky dimensions.

• Tortillas: Traditional corn or flour base that holds enchiladas together, warm slightly before layering to prevent cracking.
• Cheese: Creamy element that melts beautifully, select sharp cheddar or monterey jack for best melting characteristics.

• Salt: Enhances overall dish flavor, use kosher or sea salt for more balanced seasoning.

Gear To Use For Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the chicken and creating the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Skillet: Perfect for sautéing onions and spices to build depth of flavor.
• Two Forks: Ideal for easily shredding the tender cooked chicken.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Helps with precise ingredient preparation.
• Cheese Grater (optional): Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing in the slow cooker.

Making Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas At Home

• Kickstart The Flavor

Heat oil in a skillet and awaken the onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder until they dance with fragrance for 3-4 minutes.

• Slow Magic

Drop chicken into the slow cooker with enchilada sauce, green chiles, the sauteed onion mixture, and salt. Let it simmer on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until chicken becomes tender and falls apart.

• Transform The Chicken

Pull chicken out, shred it with two forks, and return it back into the sauce, mixing everything together beautifully.

• Create Layers Of Deliciousness

Spread tortilla strips across the chicken mixture, generously tucking cheese between layers. Drench with remaining enchilada sauce and crown with a final cheese blanket.

• Final Sizzle

Cook on high for 20-30 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.

• Serve With Joy

Add your favorite toppings and dive into this mouthwatering feast straight from the slow cooker.

Tips To Tweak Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

• Chicken Enchilada Mastery: Insider Secrets and Twists
• Slow Cooker Magic: For maximum flavor, let chicken marinate in the enchilada sauce and spices overnight before slow cooking to deepen the taste profile.
• Texture Perfection: Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a more authentic, crispy texture that holds up better in the slow cooker method.
• Protein Power Swap: Easily replace chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or plant-based alternatives like jackfruit for diverse meal options.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Skip tortillas and layer ingredients in a casserole dish, or use lettuce wraps for a keto-friendly version that's packed with flavor.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by selecting mild, medium, or hot enchilada sauce, and add fresh jalapeños or green chiles to increase or decrease spiciness according to preference.

Serving Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Made Easy

• Flavor Fiesta Plating: Create a vibrant Mexican-inspired plate with colorful garnishes like fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and a zesty lime wedge to brighten the enchiladas.
• Cool and Creamy Companions: Add a dollop of sour cream or smooth guacamole on the side to balance the spicy, rich flavors and provide a cooling contrast to the warm enchiladas.
• Sidekick Sensations: Pair with Mexican-style rice, black beans, or a crisp side salad to round out the meal and add extra texture and nutritional balance to your plate.
• Drink Pairing Magic: Complement the dish with a cold Mexican beer, refreshing margarita, or tangy sangria to enhance the overall dining experience and bring out the enchiladas' bold flavors.

How To Keep Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Fresh

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up a double batch of these enchiladas and freeze individual portions for quick weeknight meals that save time and satisfy hungry families.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover enchiladas in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keeping them fresh and delicious for easy reheating in the microwave or oven.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Wrap enchiladas tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for a convenient make-ahead meal.
• Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop extra onions and garlic during initial cooking, storing them in sealed containers to streamline future recipe preparation and reduce kitchen prep time.

Effortless Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: About 5 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired slow cooker chicken enchiladas blend tender shredded chicken with zesty spices and melted cheese. Homemade comfort delivers authentic flavors that satisfy hunger and warm hearts with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) chicken breast or thighs, boneless, skinless
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheese, Mexican blend or cheddar
• 2 cups (473 ml) enchilada sauce, red or green
• 8–10 small corn tortillas, cut into strips or lightly fried
• 4 oz (113 grams) diced green chiles, canned
• ½ cup (75 grams) onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp olive oil or avocado oil
• sliced avocado (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
• chopped cilantro (optional)
• sliced jalapenos (optional)
• black olives (optional)

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Instructions

1. Spice Infusion: Awaken a skillet over medium heat, sautéing onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder until their aromatic essence permeates the air, roughly 3-4 minutes.
2. Slow Cooker Assembly: Nestle chicken into the slow cooker, drenching it with enchilada sauce, green chiles, and the fragrant onion mixture. Season with salt to elevate the flavor profile.
3. Tenderizing Process: Seal the slow cooker and allow chicken to cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until the meat becomes effortlessly shreddable.
4. Layering and Cheese Integration: Shred the chicken using two forks, reuniting it with the sauce. Artfully arrange tortilla strips throughout the mixture, interlacing generous cheese layers to create a molten landscape of texture.
5. Final Transformation: Cascade remaining enchilada sauce over the layers, crowning the dish with a final cheese blanket. Activate the slow cooker on high for 20-30 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
6. Serving Presentation: Adorn with optional garnishes and serve the enchiladas steaming hot, ready to tantalize discerning palates.

Notes

• Manage Moisture Carefully: Control liquid content to prevent soggy tortillas by draining excess sauce or using thick enchilada sauce.
• Choose Right Tortillas: Select corn tortillas for authentic flavor and better structural integrity; avoid thin flour tortillas that might disintegrate during slow cooking.
• Optimize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and cumin quantities based on personal heat preference; start with less and gradually increase for balanced flavor profile.
• Enhance Protein Texture: Ensure chicken is not overcooked by monitoring cooking time precisely; shred meat immediately after cooking to maintain tender, juicy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg