Zesty Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas Recipe for Family Dinners

Creamy poblano chicken enchiladas represent a culinary symphony of bold Mexican flavors and comforting textures that dance across your palate.

Vibrant green poblano peppers infuse this classic dish with a subtle, smoky warmth that reinvents ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Regional spices and traditional cooking techniques blend seamlessly to create a meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Tender chicken nestled within soft tortillas becomes a canvas for rich, velvety sauce that promises pure satisfaction.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of heritage and home-cooked passion, inviting you to experience a truly memorable dining moment.

The harmony of ingredients speaks to generations of careful recipe development and deep cultural pride.

Your dinner table will come alive with the irresistible aroma and stunning presentation of these soul-warming enchiladas.

Why Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas Rock

• Unlock Creamy Comfort: Dive into a world of velvety poblano sauce that wraps around tender chicken, creating a luxurious and satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Speed Meets Flavor: Leverage the convenience of rotisserie chicken and a quick homemade sauce to whip up restaurant-quality enchiladas in under 45 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• Pepper-Packed Excitement: Experience a delightful flavor explosion with poblano peppers that add a mild, smoky heat, complemented by zesty pepper jack cheese and bright cilantro, turning an ordinary dish into a flavor adventure.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings, making it a versatile dish that caters to different taste preferences and dietary needs.

What’s in Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas

Main Ingredients:

• Rotisserie Chicken: Tender, pre-cooked chicken that saves time and adds rich flavor to the enchiladas.
• Pepper Jack Cheese: Spicy cheese that melts beautifully and adds a creamy, zesty kick to the dish.

• Poblano Peppers: Mild, smoky peppers that form the base of the creamy sauce with a subtle heat.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and savory foundation for the sauce's liquid base.
• Whole Milk: Creates a rich, smooth texture for the poblano sauce.

• Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas that serve as the wrapper for the enchiladas.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, citrusy notes to the dish.
• Lime: Adds a fresh, tangy finish to brighten the flavors.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth roux for the sauce.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth consistency.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic base to the poblano sauce.

• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the dish.

Instructions to Bake These Enchiladas

Step 1: Craft the Flavorful Sauce

• Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat
• Add garlic and poblano peppers
• Cook until veggies soften and become fragrant
• Sprinkle flour over the mixture
• Stir and create a thick paste coating the vegetables
• Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring continuously
• Use an immersion blender to puree into a smooth consistency
• Simmer the sauce
• Add whole milk
• Stir frequently until sauce thickens
• Mix in chopped cilantro and salt
• Remove from heat

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

• Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C)

Step 3: Prepare the Enchilada Base

• Spread a light layer of poblano sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish
• Warm tortillas slightly

Step 4: Roll and Arrange

• Place shredded rotisserie chicken on each tortilla
• Roll tightly
• Position enchiladas seam-side down in the baking dish
• Pour remaining poblano sauce evenly over enchiladas

Step 5: Add Cheesy Goodness

• Sprinkle pepper jack cheese across the top

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

• Place in preheated oven
• Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes
• Watch for melted cheese and bubbling sauce

Step 7: Final Touches

• Squeeze fresh lime juice over enchiladas
• Garnish with extra cilantro
• Serve piping hot and enjoy the delicious meal

Tips for a Smooth Poblano Sauce

• Select Fresh Peppers: Choose bright green, firm poblano peppers without soft spots or blemishes for maximum flavor and texture.
• Roast Peppers Deeply: Char poblano peppers directly over an open flame or under the broiler to enhance their smoky, rich taste before chopping.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk continuously while adding chicken broth to prevent flour lumps and achieve a silky, smooth sauce.
• Layer Cheese Strategically: Use freshly shredded pepper jack cheese instead of pre-packaged for better melting and more vibrant flavor distribution.
• Warm Tortillas Carefully: Briefly heat tortillas in a skillet or microwave to prevent cracking when rolling enchiladas, ensuring a perfect, tight wrap.

Storing and Reheating Enchiladas

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover enchiladas to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place enchiladas in a baking dish, cover with foil to retain moisture, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Uncover for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place individual enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each interval to prevent overcooking. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain sauce consistency.

Side Ideas for Enchiladas

• Spice Up with Mexican Lager: Pair these creamy poblano chicken enchiladas with a crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Pacifico. The light, refreshing beer cuts through the richness of the dish while complementing its spicy undertones.
• Cool Down with Tangy Salsa Verde: Serve a zesty salsa verde on the side to add brightness and acidity. The fresh green sauce will balance the creamy poblano sauce and provide a delightful contrast in flavors.
• Freshen with Citrus Margarita: Mix a classic margarita using fresh lime juice to echo the lime garnish on the enchiladas. The tequila's warmth and citrus notes will enhance the poblano pepper's subtle heat and the dish's creamy texture.
• Create a Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a simple cabbage and radish slaw with a light cilantro-lime dressing. This crunchy, tangy side will cut through the richness of the enchiladas and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, cheesy dish.

Recipe Variations for Poblano Chicken

• Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas: Swap poblano peppers with roasted green chiles for a tangier, more intense southwestern flavor profile. The green chiles add a brighter, slightly spicier kick to the creamy sauce.
• Vegetarian Spinach Enchiladas: Replace chicken with sautéed spinach and black beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to maintain a rich, creamy texture while creating a plant-based version of the original recipe.
• Smoky Chipotle Enchiladas: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deep, smoky flavor. Blend one or two peppers into the sauce to create a more complex and slightly spicy enchilada experience that adds depth to the original recipe.
• Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas: Modify the poblano sauce by mixing in store-bought or homemade salsa verde. This variation introduces a zesty, tangy element that complements the creamy chicken filling and adds a bright, fresh taste to the dish.

Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory poblano chicken enchiladas bring Mexican comfort to dinner tables with silky sauce and melted cheese. Spicy peppers and tender chicken wrapped in tortillas create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 ounces (226 grams) shredded pepper jack cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 2 poblano peppers, seeds and stems removed, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, for garnish
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Juice of ½ lime

Liquids and Binding Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
• 1 ¼ cups whole milk
• 12 corn tortillas, warmed

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Instructions

1. Craft a velvety poblano sauce by gently melting butter in a spacious skillet over medium warmth, introducing smashed garlic and chopped poblano peppers to soften and release their aromatic essence.
2. Incorporate additional butter into the pan, then dust with flour, creating a luxurious roux that envelops the vegetables, stirring meticulously to prevent burning.
3. Gradually introduce chicken broth while whisking continuously, eliminating potential flour lumps and transforming the mixture into a silky foundation using an immersion blender.
4. Allow the sauce to gently simmer, integrating whole milk and stirring attentively until the consistency thickens and transforms into a creamy landscape, then fold in fresh cilantro and salt before removing from heat.
5. Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a delicate layer of poblano sauce to prevent sticking.
6. Tenderly nestle shredded rotisserie chicken within each tortilla, rolling them into tight cylindrical parcels and positioning them seam-side downward in the prepared dish.
7. Cascade the remaining poblano sauce generously over the enchiladas, ensuring complete coverage and flavor saturation.
8. Lavishly crown the dish with pepper jack cheese, creating a molten blanket of dairy decadence.
9. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the enchiladas to transform for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles enthusiastically.
10. Finish the dish with a vibrant squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of additional cilantro, creating a bright, herbaceous counterpoint to the rich, creamy enchiladas.

Notes

• Elevate your enchiladas by using freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and convenience.
• Blend the poblano sauce thoroughly to create a silky-smooth texture that coats every inch of the tortillas.
• Control sauce thickness by simmering and stirring frequently, ensuring a perfect creamy consistency.
• Warm tortillas before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier for a professional-looking dish.
• Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy kick and melts beautifully, creating a golden, bubbling top layer.
• Fresh lime juice and cilantro garnish brighten the rich, creamy enchiladas with a zesty, herbal finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg