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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses across the surface, creating a luxurious, molten blanket that promises a golden, appetizing finish.
- 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