Quick Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe for Dinner

Comfort meets convenience in this zesty salsa verde chicken enchilada skillet that promises a flavor explosion in every bite.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this one-pan wonder.

Packed with tender chicken, melted cheese, and a vibrant salsa verde sauce, the dish brings Mexican-inspired excitement to your table.

You’ll love how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing an ounce of taste.

The blend of spices and fresh ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of rich, tangy, and savory notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this easy, crowd-pleasing skillet that transforms dinner into a fiesta.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients For Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Onion: Adds sweet, sharp foundation and depth to the dish's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent undertone that enhances overall savory taste.

• Shredded Chicken: Lean protein that creates hearty texture and absorbs surrounding spices.

• Cumin: Earthy, warm spice that adds authentic Mexican-inspired complexity.
• Chili Powder: Delivers gentle heat and rich, smoky undertone to the skillet.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle, warming kick and aromatic depth.

• Salsa Verde: Tangy, bright green sauce made from tomatillos that brings zesty freshness.
• Sour Cream: Creamy element that softens heat and adds luxurious smoothness.

• Tortilla Strips: Traditional Mexican component that adds satisfying texture and absorbs sauce.

• Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild, melty cheese that provides creamy, soft coverage.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds rich, golden color and deeper flavor.

• Olive Oil: Healthy fat that helps sauté ingredients and prevent sticking.

Tools That Help For Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Large Oven-Safe Skillet: Your main cooking vessel, perfect for sautéing and baking the entire dish.
• Cutting Board: Essential for dicing onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise chopping of onions and garlic.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices like cumin and chili powder.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly in the skillet.
• Cheese Grater: Optional, if you're grating cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded.

Steps To Prepare Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet. Toss in diced onions and let them dance until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and let those aromatic gems sizzle for a quick minute.

• Build the Protein Layer

Introduce shredded chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle in a zesty blend of cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, allowing the spices to coat the chicken beautifully.

• Create a Creamy Sauce

Pour in salsa verde and sour cream. Swirl and mix until the sauce becomes a smooth, velvety blanket that hugs every ingredient in the skillet.

• Incorporate Tortilla Magic

Gently fold torn tortilla strips into the mixture, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated with the luscious sauce.

• Cheese and Bake to Perfection

Generously scatter Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses across the top. Slide the skillet into a preheated 375F (190C) oven. Bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece, about 10-15 minutes.

Tasty Ideas For Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Quick Meal Prep: Shred chicken ahead of time using rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken breasts to cut down on preparation time.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace tortilla strips with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly version of the dish.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa verde, allowing personalization for different taste preferences.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute sour cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese alternatives to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare the entire skillet, let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months, making it perfect for make-ahead meals.

Serving Suggestions For Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Comfort Meal Companion: Pair this skillet with fluffy Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice for a complete dinner that delivers extra flavor and texture.
• Fresh Topping Paradise: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, diced green onions, and a dollop of cool sour cream on top to add brightness and creamy contrast to the warm enchilada skillet.
• Quick Side Kick: Serve alongside crisp tortilla chips or a simple green salad with avocado slices to balance the rich, cheesy chicken enchilada mixture and add a refreshing element to the meal.
• Spice Level Boost: Add sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes for guests who love extra heat, allowing everyone to customize their plate according to their spice preference.

Store Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet Safely

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover enchilada skillet in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Technique: Carefully transfer cooled skillet contents to freezer-safe containers, maintaining quality for up to 2 months when sealed tightly with minimal air exposure.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave or oven, adding a splash of extra salsa verde to restore moisture and prevent dryness during reheating process.
• Batch Cooking Hack: Prepare double recipe quantities, separating portions into individual meal-sized containers for convenient grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners.

Hearty Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired salsa verde chicken enchilada skillet combines zesty flavors for a quick weeknight dinner. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a satisfying meal packed with authentic southwestern charm you can savor in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) cooked, shredded chicken (breasts or thighs)
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 small corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 cup salsa verde
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Diced avocado (optional)
• Jalapeno slices (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium flame with olive oil, gently sautéing onions until they become translucent and release their sweet fragrance, then introduce minced garlic and stir briefly to amplify the aromatic base.
2. Prepare Protein: Add shredded chicken to the skillet, seasoning generously with cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper, tossing to ensure even coating and thorough heating.
3. Create Sauce: Combine salsa verde and sour cream in the skillet, whisking until a smooth, vibrant sauce envelops the chicken and aromatics, creating a rich flavor profile.
4. Layer Tortillas: Tear corn tortillas into rustic strips and fold them into the saucy mixture, ensuring each piece is completely coated with the verdant sauce.
5. Cheese Topping: Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses across the surface, creating a luxurious, molten blanket that promises a golden, appetizing finish.
6. Bake and Serve: Transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F oven, allowing the cheese to melt and bubble until it forms a crisp, golden crust, signaling the dish is ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Optimize Oil Temperature: Select a cast-iron skillet and heat olive oil precisely to prevent burning while ensuring ingredients caramelize beautifully without sticking.
• Chicken Shredding Technique: Use fork or hand-pulled method for tender, texture-rich chicken pieces that absorb seasonings more effectively and create authentic, rustic presentation.
• Salsa Verde Selection: Choose authentic, high-quality salsa verde with balanced tomatillo tanginess to elevate overall flavor profile and provide authentic Mexican culinary complexity.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Allow cheese to reach room temperature before sprinkling, ensuring smooth, even melting and preventing uneven cheese distribution across the skillet’s surface.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 711 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 88 mg