Enchiladas Suizas
If you’re craving a show-stopping dinner that’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, you can’t go wrong with Enchiladas Suizas. This Mexican classic features tender tortillas filled with savory chicken, all wrapped in a luscious creamy sauce topped with melted cheese. Learn how to make delicious Enchiladas Suizas with creamy sauce and melted cheese—easy, authentic, and perfect for dinner tonight!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Comfort Food: Enchiladas Suizas combine creamy, cheesy, and savory elements for a dish that feels like a warm hug.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find ingredients to make this dish taste incredible.
- Versatile and Adaptable: This recipe can be tailored to your preferences whether you want it spicy, mild, or vegetarian.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family dinner or a special gathering, these enchiladas impress every time.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare them in advance, making weeknights less stressful without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
While the ingredients look simple, each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors that make Enchiladas Suizas so irresistible. Using fresh dairy, vibrant green sauces, and tender chicken brings authenticity right to your table.
- Chicken breast or thighs: Use cooked, shredded chicken for a juicy and tender filling.
- Corn tortillas: Soft and slightly toasted to prevent sogginess and add a subtle corn flavor.
- Tomatillos: The base for the creamy green sauce, adding a tangy freshness.
- Jalapeños or serrano peppers: Provides a gentle kick and authentic heat.
- Heavy cream or Mexican crema: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
- Mexican cheese blend or mozzarella: Melts beautifully for that golden, gooey topping.
- Onion and garlic: Build layers of flavor in the sauce and filling.
- Cilantro: Offers a fresh herbal note to brighten every bite.
- Chicken broth: Helps blend the sauce and enhances depth without overpowering.
Variations for Enchiladas Suizas
One of the best things about Enchiladas Suizas is how easy it is to customize them. Whether you want to adjust for dietary needs or simply add a new flavor twist, here are some tasty ways to make this beloved dish your own.
- Vegetarian version: Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or black beans for a meatless delight.
- Spicy upgrade: Add chipotle peppers or extra jalapeños to the sauce for a smoky heat boost.
- Dairy-free alternative: Use coconut cream and vegan cheese to keep the creaminess without dairy.
- Extra cheesy: Mix in queso fresco with shredded cheese for a tangy, crumbly texture on top.
- Green chile variation: Incorporate roasted poblano peppers into the sauce for a smoky twist.
How to Make Enchiladas Suizas
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling
Start by cooking and shredding your chicken. Poach chicken breasts or thighs in seasoned water until tender, then shred finely. You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience, but homemade always tastes best. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Green Sauce
Boil tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic until soft. Blend these with cilantro, chicken broth, and cream until smooth and velvety. The sauce should be creamy with a slight tang and a hint of spice. Taste and adjust salt and heat as needed.
Step 3: Soften and Toast Tortillas
Lightly warm corn tortillas on a hot skillet until pliable but not crispy—this prevents cracking when rolled. Some prefer to briefly dip them in the sauce before filling to infuse extra flavor and keep them moist.
Step 4: Assemble the Enchiladas
Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken, roll it up tightly, and place seam-side down. Pour the remaining creamy green sauce evenly over the top, then generously sprinkle with cheese.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbling and Golden
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots. Let sit a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
Pro Tips for Making Enchiladas Suizas
- Use fresh tomatillos: They create the signature tartness that defines the sauce.
- Don’t overfill tortillas: A moderate amount of filling keeps them neat and easy to roll.
- Warm tortillas before assembling: Makes rolling easier and prevents cracking.
- Double the sauce: Ensures every bite is drenched in creamy goodness.
- Let it rest: Allow the baked enchiladas to cool for 5 minutes before serving for perfect texture.
How to Serve Enchiladas Suizas
Garnishes
Brighten your plate with fresh cilantro leaves, thin slices of radish, or a dollop of sour cream to complement the rich sauce. Some people enjoy a squeeze of lime juice on top for a fresh, tangy finish that balances the creaminess.
Side Dishes
Serve with simple sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp green salad with avocado and lime vinaigrette for a well-rounded Mexican feast. Chips with salsa or guacamole are also crowd-pleasers alongside these enchiladas.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual enchiladas on a skillet for a rustic look or stack them in a casserole dish for a family-style presentation. A sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds adds a delightful crunch as a finishing touch and a pop of color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled enchiladas in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and they reheated taste just as delicious as fresh.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the assembled but unbaked enchiladas in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted again. Avoid microwaving to keep the sauce creamy and tortillas from getting rubbery.
FAQs
What makes Enchiladas Suizas different from regular enchiladas?
Enchiladas Suizas feature a creamy tomatillo-based sauce with melted cheese on top, giving them a rich and tangy flavor that sets them apart from traditional red or green enchiladas.
Can I use store-bought green salsa instead of making the sauce from scratch?
Yes, store-bought salsa verde works in a pinch, but making your own sauce with fresh tomatillos and cream greatly enhances the dish’s flavor and authenticity.
What cheese is best for Enchiladas Suizas?
A Mexican cheese blend with cheeses like queso Oaxaca or mozzarella works best due to their excellent melting qualities and mild flavors that complement the sauce.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Replace chicken with beans or vegetables, use coconut or cashew cream instead of dairy, and vegan cheese alternatives for a delicious vegan Enchiladas Suizas.
How spicy are Enchiladas Suizas traditionally?
They tend to be mild to medium spicy due to the creamy sauce balancing out the heat of jalapeños or serranos, but you can adjust spices to suit your taste.
Final Thoughts
Enchiladas Suizas are a shining example of how simple ingredients and a little love can create something truly special. Once you master this recipe, you’ll have a go-to comfort meal that’s bursting with flavor and perfect to enjoy any day of the week. So roll up your sleeves, dive into the creamy, cheesy goodness, and savor every bite of these irresistible Mexican enchiladas!
Related Posts
PrintEnchiladas Suizas
Enchiladas Suizas are a rich and comforting Mexican classic featuring tender corn tortillas filled with savory shredded chicken, wrapped in a luscious creamy tomatillo sauce, and topped with melted cheese. This easy and authentic recipe is perfect for a flavorful dinner and can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast or thighs
For the Creamy Green Sauce
- 1 lb fresh tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 2 jalapeños or serrano peppers, stemmed
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or Mexican crema
- Salt, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 10–12 soft corn tortillas
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend or shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cooking oil or spray, for toasting tortillas
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Filling: Poach chicken breasts or thighs in seasoned water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Shred the chicken finely using two forks or your hands. You can also use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Creamy Green Sauce: Boil the tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, and garlic in water until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender. Add fresh cilantro, chicken broth, and heavy cream or Mexican crema. Blend until smooth and velvety. Taste and adjust salt or add extra peppers for desired spice level.
- Soften and Toast Tortillas: Warm corn tortillas on a hot skillet for about 20-30 seconds on each side until pliable but not crispy to prevent cracking. Optionally, briefly dip tortillas into the creamy green sauce to infuse flavor and keep them moist.
- Assemble the Enchiladas: Spread a layer of the creamy green sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place shredded chicken evenly inside each tortilla, roll tightly, and arrange seam-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolled tortillas, ensuring they are well covered, then generously sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake Until Bubbling and Golden: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the enchiladas for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatillos for the signature tangy flavor in the sauce.
- Don’t overfill tortillas to keep them neat and easier to roll.
- Warm tortillas before assembling to prevent cracking.
- Double the sauce if you want a creamier dish drenched in sauce.
- Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes after baking for perfect texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 2 enchiladas)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: enchiladas suizas, Mexican enchiladas, creamy chicken enchiladas, tomatillo sauce, baked enchiladas
