Chicken Skillet Enchiladas (2024)

You will need a pan with a 12 inch diameter, with a tight-fitting lid. Also make sure the pan isn't too shallow, to ensure there is enough room to contain the enchilada sauce. A pan depth of 2 ½ - 3 inches should work fine.

Here I used my favorite Lodge 3.6 Quart Cast Iron Casserole Pan (affiliate link). I absolutely love this pan and have also used it for this Maple Butter Glazed Squash and Apples recipe.

Yes, you can easily substitute boneless skinless chicken breast for the chicken tenders.

If you want to substitute chicken breasts, I would cut each breast in half horizontally (aka butterfly the chicken), to create two thinner pieces. Then I would cut each piece in half again from top to bottom lengthwise, to create 4 strips. Then continue on with the recipe as directed.

Also please keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cook time up or down depending on the size of your chicken pieces.

Yes you can, and this would be a great way to cut down on the prep time even further! Just shred or chop the pre-cooked chicken, then heat it up in the pan in the same way as directed in the recipe, except you will just sprinkle the spices overtop and stir the chicken to mix it in as it cooks. And, you don't need to cook it for nearly as long, just a minute or two to heat up the chicken and warm the spices.

One caveat - if the leftover chicken you are using is already well-seasoned (like store-bought rotisserie chicken tends to be, for example), hold off on adding in the salt called for in the recipe. You can taste the chicken afterwards and sprinkle some more on if you think it needs it.

Scale

• 1 pound (454 g) chicken tenders (see note 1)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (see note 3)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 15 corn tortillas (5 ½ inch diameter)
• 8 ounces (227 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
• one 15.5 ounce (439 g) can black beans
• one 28 ounce can enchilada sauce (red or green)
• optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, sliced jalapenos

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1. Heat the oil in a 12 inch deep skillet (that has a tight-fitting lid) on medium high heat.
2. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, kosher salt and pepper on the chicken and use your fingers to massage it into the chicken so the tenders are evenly coated in the seasoning.
3. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 3 minutes. While the chicken is cooking on the first side, prep your beans: open the can, drain and rinse them. Shake off most of the moisture and add them to a medium bowl.
4. Flip the chicken and continue cooking on the second side for an additional 3 - 4 minutes, or until cooked through. If the spices are starting to get too dark while cooking, turn the heat down.
5. While the chicken is cooking on the second side, prep your tortillas: take 8 tortillas, wrap them in a very damp paper or kitchen towel, and place on a plate. Set aside. Open the can of enchilada sauce and set it aside. Add most of the cheese to the bowl with the beans, reserving about 1 ½ cup of cheese for later.
6. When the chicken is done cooking, remove the pieces from the pan onto a cutting board. Turn the heat off the stove and remove the skillet from the hot burner.
7. Put the plate of wrapped tortillas in the microwave, and heat on high for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, use tongs to hold the hot chicken and cut into small pieces. Add chicken pieces to the bowl of cheese and beans, stir to combine.
8. Pour about 1 ½ cups of enchilada sauce into the same skillet used for the chicken. The bottom should be completely covered in sauce.
9. Remove tortillas from the microwave. Add about ½ cup of filling to the middle of one tortilla, roll it up and place it seam side down in the pan. (And be careful when placing in the pan, the pan/enchilada sauce may be hot!)
10. Continue rolling the enchiladas and placing them in the pan, making a wreath shape. Keep the tortillas wrapped in the damp towel while you are working. You will need to gently "smoosh" the tortillas already in the pan to make them fit snugly.
11. When you run out of your first batch of warm tortillas, microwave the second batch in the same manner and keep rolling and adding enchiladas to the pan.
12. When all of the enchiladas are in the pan, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Spoon the enchilada sauce over any dry spots. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
13. Put the lid on the pan and heat over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 9 - 10 minutes.
14. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings (optional).

1. To substitute chicken breast:

If you don't have chicken tenders, you can substitute chicken breasts. To substitute chicken breast, butterfly the chicken breasts to create two thinner pieces, and then cut each thinner piece in half again, to create 4 smaller pieces. If you are using chicken breasts instead of tenders, the cooking time may be slightly longer depending on the size of your chicken pieces.

2. To substitute leftover or rotisserie chicken:

You can also substitute leftover or rotisserie chicken. Shred or chop the pre-cooked chicken, then add it to the hot oiled pan as directed in the recipe. But, rather than coating the chicken pieces in the seasoning first, just sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken in the pan and stir to combine.

Heat the chicken for only 1 - 2 minutes, just to warm it up and develop the spices.

If the leftover chicken you are using is already well-seasoned, don't add the salt as called for in the recipe, but taste the chicken after it's been heated up and add more only if needed.

3. Other tips:

Kosher salt is coarse grained; if you want to substitute fine grain salt, reduce the amount from 1 teaspoon to ¾ teaspoon (or, add salt to taste).

While heating the enchiladas up and waiting for the cheese to melt, resist the urge to keep opening the lid! This will let the steam escape and it will take longer for the cheese to melt.

The nutrition information below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator, and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our fullnutrition disclosure policy.