Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

When you’re looking for a cozy dinner with a big flavor impact, Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas are going to hit all the marks. Loaded with tender shredded salsa verde chicken (see my make ahead recipe below) and topped with a melty layer of cheese with even more bold salsa verde on top, I’m going to surprise you with how easy and inexpensive this restaurant-style meal is to make at home. 

What’s So Great About these Salsa Verde Enchiladas?

Want to know why these are THE BEST salsa verde chicken enchiladas out there? Here are just a few of the reasons we love them so much:

• Classic Mexican restaurant style enchiladas that mimic your favorite dish at a fraction of the cost. Six homemade servings will cost around $15 to make!
• Easy crock pot recipe to set and forget so the chicken cooks juicy and tender.
• Use corn tortillas or flour tortillas – it’s your choice so make them your way!!
• Feed a crowd with this recipe or just a couple people and make use of the leftovers for another quick meal.
• Load them with toppings like diced avocado, sliced jalapeño peppers, cilantro, scallions, sour cream, and plenty of fresh lime juice.

If you’re looking to spice up your dinner routine with something fresh, zesty, and full of flavor, my salsa verde enchiladas recipe might just be your new go-to. 

Packed with bright tomatillo salsa, the juiciest shredded chicken – it’s SO tender from a slow cook in the crock pot! – black beans, and smothered in melty cheese, these enchiladas are the perfect balance between comfort food and vibrant Mexican restaurant-style food at home. 

The recipe makes a big tray of chicken enchiladas so whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want to treat yourself to a cozy, flavor-packed meal with lots of leftovers, this dish brings bold taste with minimal effort. 

You can cook the chicken in the crock pot days before you need it for these enchiladas and then just pull it out on a busy night, stuff your tortillas, and bake them off. What a simple dinner, right?

Now, let’s dive into how to make the salsa verde enchiladas that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Salsa Verde vs Green Enchilada Sauce

The difference between salsa verde vs green enchilada sauce is subtle but it is worth explaining. 

They are both made with tomatillos – sometimes roasted tomatillos! – chiles, and cilantro.

The main differences between salsa verde and green enchilada sauce are that the sauce has additional ingredients like ground cumin and broth, and that the sauce is puréed into a smooth sauce.

Ingredients for Salsa Verde Enchiladas 

Here’s the basic shopping list for this enchilada recipe. 

Be sure to keep scrolling down to the recipe card below for the full printable Ingredients list for this great recipe!

• Salsa verde chicken – I used my crock pot salsa verde chicken recipe to make these enchiladas
• Flour tortillas
• Salsa verde – You can make your own salsa verde or simply buy a jar.
• White cheddar cheese – Grab a block and shred it yourself! It melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
• Fresh cilantro
• Scallion or green onion
• Lime

How to Make this Salsa Verde Enchilada Recipe

Here are the easy instructions for how to make these pancakes without buttermilk! Be sure to keep scrolling down to the recipe card below for the full set of Instructions! 

Make note! You’ll need to make the salsa verde chicken before starting this recipe. I use my crock pot salsa verde chicken recipe for these enchiladas but feel free to use your own if you have a favorite recipe.

STEP 1: Preheat the oven and ready a large casserole dish.

STEP 2: Warm the tortillas in the microwave or oven. 

STEP 3: Divide the filling between the tortillas and roll tightly. Place the rolled tortillas side-by-side in the casserole dish. Cover tightly with foil.

STEP 4: Bake and then remove the foil and cover the enchiladas with the salsa verde. Continue baking uncovered for a few more minutes. Sprinkle the cheese over the enchiladas and continue baking until the cheese is hot, melted, and starting to brown in places. 

STEP 5: Allow the enchiladas to cool for a few minutes so the filling sets before sprinkling the tops with chopped cilantro and sliced scallions. Serve with sour cream on the side.

How to Store Enchiladas

To store leftover enchiladas, pop them into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To freeze enchiladas, the process is similar to refrigerating. Simply store them in an airtight container and before covering the container, lay a piece of plastic wrap over the enchiladas. 

The plastic wrap will help to prevent ice from forming on top of the enchiladas.

How to Reheat Enchiladas

To reheat enchiladas from the fridge, here’s what you’ll do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. If you stored the enchiladas in an oven safe dish, transfer the dish to the oven. Keep it loosely covered with foil.
3. Heat the enchiladas for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the centers are warmed through.

If you previously froze the enchiladas, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then proceed with the steps above.

What to Serve with Enchiladas

In my opinion, rice and beans are the ultimate enchilada side dishes. I love traditional Mexican rice but my cilantro lime rice is also a great alternative. 

For beans, I can go two ways. My classic refried beans recipe is typically my go-to beans recipe. If you love black beans, I really love these refried black beans too!

FAQs for Salsa Verde Enchiladas

1. Can I substitute salsa verde for green enchilada sauce? In a pinch, you can but keep in mind there are some differences in flavor and texture between the two sauces. Refer to the section above in this post where I discuss the differences.
2. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas? Of course! Be sure to keep the corn tortillas warm before you fill and roll them. They have a tendency to easily tear and warming them first will help prevent this.
3. Are these green enchiladas spicy? You can make these enchiladas as spicy as you would like them to be. Spiciness level will depend on how spicy your salsa verde is.
4. How do these enchiladas freeze? Wrapped tightly in an airtight container, these salsa verde enchiladas will freeze great.