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Home » Recipes » Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Queso Chicken Enchiladas

Published: Feb 20, 2025 by Debra Clark · 26 Comments

Jump to Recipe

The first time I made these Queso Chicken Enchiladas, I was in full-on "what’s-for-dinner" panic mode. You can relate, right? You're staring into the fridge, hoping a meal magically appears.

Then I spotted some leftover queso from taco night, a rotisserie chicken, and a jar of enchilada sauce. A few tortillas later, I had a bubbling, cheesy dish that tasted like I planned it all along. Now, this recipe is on repeat in our kitchen!

Chicken Queso Enchiladas in casserole dish.
These easy Chicken Enchiladas are a real crowd pleaser!
Jump to:
  • Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas 
  • Ingredients
  • How to make queso chicken enchiladas
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Top Tip
  • Optional add-ins and toppings
  • How do I store and reheat leftovers
  • More enchilada inspired recipes
  • What to serve with enchiladas
  • Queso Chicken Enchiladas

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas 

If you're looking for a quick, foolproof dinner, this is it. With just four simple ingredients, these enchiladas are creamy, cheesy, and downright irresistible.

Whether you're using homemade queso or store-bought, this recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights. Plus, let’s be real—who can say no to warm, melty cheese wrapped in a tortilla?

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Ingredient to make enchiladas, with print overlay.
Ingredients for the enchiladas de queso.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • Enchilada sauce – Red, green chile, or salsa verde all work.
  • Queso cheese – Use homemade queso, or pick up a jar from the store. Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack make great additions!
  • Rotisserie chicken – Shredded or diced. You can also use cooked chicken breasts or thighs.
  • Corn tortillas – Prefer flour tortillas? Go for it!

Minced white or yellow onions adds great flavor to this dish.

How to make queso chicken enchiladas

This is a photo overview of the instructions. For the complete written instructions just scroll down to the bottom! It's in the recipe card.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix shredded chicken with queso.
  3. Fill & roll tortillas with the chicken mixture, placing them seam-side down in a greased 9x13 dish.
  4. Top with enchilada sauce and extra queso.
  5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 

  • 9x13 casserole dish

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

FAQ's

What is the best melting cheese for enchiladas?

My top choices are Colby Jack cheese or Monterey Jack. That being said, any melting cheese will work just fine!

What white cheese is good for enchiladas?

White American Cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese are both great choices.

Enchiladas in casserole dish and two dished up onto plate.
You'll love these cheesy chicken enchiladas!

Top Tip

Making ahead? Assemble the enchiladas but hold off on baking. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.

  • If you don't have rotisserie chicken, you can use poached chicken. Shred or dice it.
  • Oh and if you have some opened queso in the fridge, learn how long queso lasts in the fridge here!

Optional add-ins and toppings

For extra flavor, mix in minced onions, green chiles or a pinch of taco seasoning. Great garnishes include sliced olives, queso fresco, and sliced green onions.

For a vegetarian twist, substitute black beans and sauteed vegetables for the chicken!

How do I store and reheat leftovers

Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Freezer - This casserole dish freezes great, wrap in aluminum foil and freeze up to three months.

Reheat - Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees.

More enchilada inspired recipes

  • If you love this recipe, next time try Layered Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole is the one to try next! It's filled with great flavor and loads of green chili flavor!
  • Save time in the kitchen by making this hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup or the Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole - YUM!.
  • If you are looking for a healthy and flavor-packed meal, this Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Casserole is just what you need.

What to serve with enchiladas

Nothing goes better with enchiladas than tortilla chips, cheese dip, and salsa just like your favorite Mexican restaurant! Here are a few more suggestions to make the perfect meal!

  • White rice in bowl topped with cilantro.
    Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
  • Beans in bowl topped with cheese, cilantro and sliced red jalapeños
    Copycat Chipotle Black Beans Recipe
  • Mexican corn casserole recipe in baking dish with chips.
    Mexican Street Corn Casserole
  • Mexican Fruit Salad topped with Tajin in pink bowl.
    Mexican Fruit Salad Recipe

If you're looking for more great Mexican recipes, check out all of the Cinco de Mayo Party Food here.

If you love easy, cheesy, family-friendly meals, this recipe is for you. Let me know how it turned out by leaving a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review below!

Enchiladas in casserole dish.
5 from 8 votes

Queso Chicken Enchiladas

Easy to make TexMex Enchiladas! Customizable with your favorite fillings and toppings. It's always a crowd pleaser, perfect for meal prep and freezing too!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 8 enchiladas
Calories: 461kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces enchilada sauce
  • 3 cups queso cheese
  • 1 rotisserie chicken
  • 8 corn tortilla shells
  • chopped olives optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
  • Start by deboning the chicken. Remove the skin and pick all of the meat off the bones. Shred the chicken well. (If desired, save the chicken bones by wrapping tightly and freezing for chicken stock)
  • Use a deep dish, oven proof pan and pour about a ¾ cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of dish, covering the bottom completely.
  • Then assemble the enchiladas with a tortilla, about ¼ cup shredded chicken, a couple good heaping spoonfuls of queso dip and enchilada sauce. Roll up the enchiladas and place them seam side down in the pan.
  • Top with the remaining enchilada sauce and place a spoonful of queso down the middle of the dish.
  • Garnish with chopped black olives
  • Cover tightly with tinfoil and place in a preheated oven until hot and bubbly - about 30 minutes.

Notes

This is a great make-ahead meal - assemble in the morning and when you get home from work, remove the casserole from the refrigerator - preheat the oven and you'll have dinner on the table in a snap!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 443mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    Chicken Enchiladas
    Chicken Enchiladas

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Roxanne Lopez says

      January 27, 2024 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      Can't wit to try all of your casseroles recipes.

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 28, 2024 at 9:27 am

        Fantastic, there will always be new casserole each week as well. I hope you find some great new meals for your family!!!

        Reply
    2. Healing Tomato says

      October 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      Haha! Waist not waste! That is now my new motto. I like the recipe and it is a great way to use left over queso soup.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 19, 2015 at 6:06 pm

        haha, it's a favorite motto! Thank you!!

        Reply
    3. Joy @ Joy Love Food says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      Oh how I love queso dip, great idea to use it to make enchiladas, these look fantastic!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 19, 2015 at 6:07 pm

        Thanks so much Joy!

        Reply
    4. Sandra says

      October 14, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      Tasty way to use up your leftovers! These enchiladas look delicious!

      Reply
    5. The Food Hunter says

      October 14, 2015 at 8:14 am

      Such an easy to make recipe

      Reply
    6. linda spiker says

      October 13, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Mexican food! A staple here in SoCal and these look amazing!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 14, 2015 at 1:14 pm

        A staple here in Fresno too - love Mexican food! 😀

        Reply
    7. April J Harris says

      September 29, 2015 at 6:18 am

      5 stars
      Your Queso Chicken Enchiladas look so tempting, Deb! They look like real comfort food. Thank you for sharing them with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 01, 2015 at 10:39 am

        You bet April - comfort all rolled up, that's for sure! Have a great day!!!

        Reply
    8. swathi says

      September 28, 2015 at 11:38 am

      That is delicious chicken enchiladas love to have for my dinner,thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 28, 2015 at 1:30 pm

        You bet! You have such a fun party!!

        Reply
    9. Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says

      September 25, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      My husband loves enchiladas! He would be so excited if I made these for him!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 26, 2015 at 4:30 pm

        You should make them, so easy & soooo good!

        Reply
    10. Florian @ContentednessCooking says

      September 25, 2015 at 8:37 am

      This is mexican food at its best and so comforting!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 26, 2015 at 4:32 pm

        Not much better than a great enchilada!

        Reply
    11. Manila Spoon says

      September 25, 2015 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      Now this enchiladas look seriously delicious! The perfect comfort food for the cooler weather - love it!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 26, 2015 at 4:31 pm

        Awesome, I hope you give them a try!

        Reply
    12. Marye says

      September 25, 2015 at 4:51 am

      Oh yummy! These enchiladas look so good that I can almost smell them!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 25, 2015 at 7:42 am

        Yum, yum, yum Mayre! 😀

        Reply
    13. Mirlandra @ Mirlandra's Kitchen says

      September 25, 2015 at 3:58 am

      You had me at queso! I love how simple this is. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 25, 2015 at 7:42 am

        Awesome Miriandra - I hope you give them a try!

        Reply
        • Roxanne Lopez says

          January 27, 2024 at 8:56 pm

          Hi hello, the chicken enchiladas look so good. I've got all the ingredients and I'm making them for Sunday Brunch which is tomorrow Jan 28, 2024

          Reply
          • Debra Clark says

            January 28, 2024 at 9:26 am

            Oh yum, what a fun dish for your brunch, enjoy Roxanne!! I hope your brunch is a real hit with all of your yummy food!

            Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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