Quick One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe

Sour cream chicken enchilada skillets enhance ordinary weeknight meals into vibrant culinary adventures.

Home cooks appreciate these one-pan wonders that simplify dinner preparation while delivering maximum flavor.

Mexican-inspired cuisine brings warmth and excitement to family tables with minimal cleanup required.

Creamy, tangy ingredients blend seamlessly to create a comforting dish that satisfies deep hunger.

Robust spices dance through tender chicken and soft tortilla pieces, creating a harmonious meal experience.

Balanced textures and rich flavors make this skillet recipe a crowd-pleasing solution for busy households.

You’ll find this method both convenient and delectable, promising a delightful dining experience.

One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet That’s Comfort in a Dish

• Effortless One-Pan Magic: Transform a complex enchilada recipe into a simple, streamlined skillet meal that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor with minimal kitchen equipment.
• Creamy Flavor Explosion: Experience a rich, tangy sauce that combines the smoky heat of chipotle chili powder with smooth sour cream, creating a deeply satisfying and complex taste profile that elevates traditional chicken enchiladas.
• Quick Weeknight Comfort: Prepare a restaurant-quality Mexican-inspired dish in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious, hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Pantry Items to Make a Creamy Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and flavorful when cooked in the skillet sauce.

• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base and depth of flavor for the enchilada skillet.
• Sour Cream: Adds rich, tangy creaminess to the sauce and helps bind ingredients.
• Butter: Creates a smooth roux and adds richness to the sauce base.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth texture.

• Chipotle Chili Powder: Brings smoky heat and authentic Mexican flavor to the dish.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances other flavors.
• Oregano: Classic herb that adds herbal depth to the sauce.
• Green Chiles: Provides mild heat and fresh pepper flavor.
• Black Olives: Adds salty, briny contrast to the creamy sauce.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional base that absorbs sauce and adds authentic texture.
• Grated Cheese: Melts on top for a golden, bubbling finish and extra richness.

How to Sauté and Simmer This One-Pan Enchilada Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Base

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and thickens (2-3 minutes).

Step 2: Build Flavor Profile

• Chipotle chili powder
• Salt
• Oregano
• Green chiles
• Black olives

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Place chicken breasts into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. Lower heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through.

Step 4: Shred and Enhance

Remove chicken from skillet and shred into bite-sized pieces. Keep skillet on low heat. Stir sour cream into the sauce, then return shredded chicken to the pan.

Step 5: Add Tortilla Texture

Tear corn tortillas into the skillet and gently mix with the chicken and sauce.

Step 6: Melt and Finish

Sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Cover the skillet and cook for 5-8 minutes until the cheese melts and the dish becomes bubbly.

Serving Suggestion: Serve hot directly from the skillet with optional garnishes like chopped cilantro or sliced green onions.

Tips for Creamy Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Master Sauce Texture: Whisk flour and broth slowly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, smooth consistency.
• Chicken Perfection: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe, juicy results without overcooking.
• Flavor Boost: Customize heat levels by adjusting chipotle chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for extra kick.
• Tortilla Technique: Tear corn tortillas into smaller pieces to help them absorb sauce and distribute evenly throughout the skillet.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Choose a blend of Mexican cheeses like Monterey Jack and cheddar for richer, more complex melting characteristics.

Storage Tips to Keep Your Enchilada Skillet Fresh

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Skillet: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Microwave Option: Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Complement This Skillet with These Easy Sides

• Spice Up Your Beverage Companion: Pair this zesty enchilada skillet with a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which cuts through the rich, creamy sauce and complements the chipotle's smoky heat.
• Cool Down the Flavor Intensity: A refreshing strawberry margarita balances the dish's spiciness, with its sweet-tart profile providing a delightful contrast to the savory chicken and cheese.
• Elevate Your Dining Experience: Serve alongside a bright, citrusy salsa verde and fresh cilantro-lime rice to enhance the enchilada skillet's complex flavor profile and add texture to the meal.
• Complete the Culinary Journey: Top with fresh sliced avocado and a dollop of extra sour cream to add creaminess and cool down the chipotle's warmth, creating a perfectly balanced one-pan dinner.

Add-Ons to Customize Your Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• Spicy Tex-Mex Fusion: Replace chipotle chili powder with jalapeños and add diced bell peppers for extra heat and color.
• Creamy Green Enchilada Skillet: Swap green chiles for tomatillo sauce and increase the amount of sour cream for a tangy, rich flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with black beans or tofu, maintaining the same cooking technique and spice blend for a plant-based alternative.
• Seafood Coastal Edition: Use shredded white fish or shrimp instead of chicken, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking the delicate protein.

One Pan Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sour cream chicken enchilada skillet delivers Mexican comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal cleanup. Creamy, cheesy goodness combines tender chicken and zesty spices for a quick meal that satisfies hunger and delights senses.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 3 whole boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 ounces (113 grams) chopped green chiles
• 12 corn tortillas, cut into bite-sized pieces

Cheese and Dairy:

• 2 cups (226 grams) colby-jack cheese, grated
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (24 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) chopped black olives

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, creating a golden, fragrant base for the enchilada preparation.
2. Incorporate flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth, light roux that will thicken the sauce.
3. Gradually pour in chicken broth, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a velvety, uniform sauce with a rich consistency.
4. Enliven the sauce with chipotle chili powder, aromatic oregano, zesty green chiles, briny black olives, and a touch of salt to build complex flavor layers.
5. Gently nestle chicken breasts into the simmering sauce, reducing heat to low and covering the skillet to ensure tender, perfectly cooked meat.
6. After approximately 15 minutes, verify chicken is thoroughly cooked, then carefully extract from the sauce and shred into delectable bite-sized pieces.
7. Swirl sour cream into the warm sauce, creating a luxurious, creamy texture that will bind the dish together.
8. Return shredded chicken to the skillet, folding in torn corn tortillas to absorb the luscious sauce and add rustic texture.
9. Generously sprinkle grated cheese across the surface, covering the skillet to allow the cheese to melt and create a golden, bubbling top.
10. Cook for an additional 5-8 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, irresistible blanket and the entire dish is heated through.

Notes

• Quick and easy one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup required.
• Creamy, spicy sauce infused with chipotle chili powder and green chiles creates bold, authentic Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Shredded chicken absorbs the rich, tangy sauce, making each bite exceptionally tender and delicious.
• Corn tortillas add traditional texture and help thicken the skillet’s sauce while providing a classic enchilada experience.
• Melted cheese creates a luxurious topping that binds all ingredients together, adding extra comfort and richness.
• Low-heat cooking method ensures chicken remains juicy and sauce develops deep, complex flavors without burning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 885 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 107 mg