Enchilada Skillet Recipe With Chicken

This enchilada skillet recipe with chicken is sure to become a family favorite recipe. This dish is flavorful, and easy to make when adding pre-cooked chicken!

In addition, you can choose to use a homemade or canned enchilada sauce for a quick and easy meal.

Enchiladas made in a skillet topped with cheese.

Skillet Enchilada With Pre-Cooked Chicken

Are you a Costco Warehouse member? We’ve been customers for several years, and although we don’t really use our membership for its intention; buying in bulk for a big family or business, we do get some really cool things every so often.

Recently, I bought a running jacket with all those snazzy zippers placed in all the right places. I love it!

And booze – we definitely have bought the super-sized bottle of Bombay Gin, which has lasted over a year.

The 1.5 liter of Tequila, on the other hand, has a healthy dent in it from the batches of margaritas we went through (and shared!).

A light blue skillet with enchiladas topped with olives.

Oh, and I can’t forget the chips! We picked up a 5 lb bag of tortilla chips. Apparently, we were hungry while shopping and thought we would eat nachos forevver!

While loading that two foot bag into our basket we were commenting, “Man, that is a heck of a lot of chips for the two of us. We don’t need that much!”

If this is you too, then I highly recommend whipping up some fresh pico de gallo, avocado dip, or for a sweet profile try this mango pico de gallo to enjoy with your tortilla chips.

A black bowl filled with enchilada skillet meal.

Costco rotisserie chicken

We may have or may not have done without the chips. However, what you shouldn’t leave Costco without is a $5 pre-cooked roasted chicken.

Now that is a deal and time saver that I can get on board with. With a little help, I will have this Mexican enchilada skillet dish on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Although, my mom is more of a gourmet cook, she did have some family favorite easy recipes like this chicken enchilada dish. I have memorized this recipe from from watching her make it a bazillion times. Happy tummies!

She would make this meal way before the availability and convenience of pre-cooked chicken! However, she did use the canned ready made enchilada sauce. I do too 85% of the time I make this. Other times I change the recipe using a homemade red enchilada sauce.

Ingredients for enchilada casserole dish.

How to make enchilada skillet dish

The convenience of this recipe is the ability to make and sever in the same skillet. I break out my 10-inch skillet for this recipe.

First, prepare all the ingredients by shredding the chicken (you’ll use about half of the bird), 3 cups of chicken, and cut the corn tortillas into triangle shapes.

Another preparation I always do is to shake the enchilada sauce (if using prepared) to mix up any spices that have settled to the bottom of the can.

Roasted chicken on a cutting board.
Photo credit: Tofan Teodor

Preparing the tortillas

Once you have the chicken shredded, you will cut the corn tortillas into triangles. After cutting the tortillas you have two options going forward.

You can pan fry them for a heartier texture. Not quite crunchy like taco shells, but sturdy so when you pick up a fried triangle it holds its shape and doesn’t flop over.

Alternatively, avoid using oil and cook the tortillas as they are into the sauce with the chicken.

Pan Fry Method

To pan fry, which is our favorite method, add oil of your preference to the skillet and heat over medium high. In batches fry the tortillas. You’ll fry one side for about 30 seconds then flip them on the other side for an additional 30 seconds. Then set aside on paper towels to drain off extra oil.

No Fry Sauce Only Method

Alternatively, you will add the cut tortillas into the skillet with the sauce and chicken. The heat and moisture from the enchilada sauce will soften the tortillas. Keep a close watch so that the tortillas don’t get too soft, which will turn mushy.

After preparing the tortillas, add the chicken and tortillas to the skillet. Slowly add the enchilada sauce to coat the ingredients to your liking. Top with cheese and cover until cheese melts. If the tortillas are too soft, then melt the cheese by placing under a broiler for minute or two.

Serve up with your favorite toppings like avocado cream sauce, sour cream, or pico de gallo salsa.

A blue skillet with a cooked enchilada dish.

Delicious Enchilada Skillet Variations

As mentioned, a pre-cooked chicken if the quickest way to make this dish. If you want another quick fresh option, then try this air fryer chicken recipe. You can simple add salt and pepper to the chicken before cooking.

Also, cooked ground beef or turkey can be substituted for the shredded chicken. Personally, I like the red sauce with beef and green with chicken.

If you have just a few minutes more, I highly recommend that you make your own green enchilada sauce because it tastes so much better, but you already know that 🙂

Low Carb Options

Another variation is to use low carb tortillas or a flour based tortilla. Note that the thickness of tortillas vary. For this recipe, I find that the thicker tortillas hold the enchilada sauce best.

Mix it up and tell me which version you like best – low carb tortillas or traditional!

More Mexican Recipes To Try

Looking for some more Latin recipes to add to your menu? Give these a try:

A black bowl filled with enchilada casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make enchiladas without frying the tortillas?

Yes! If you want to skip frying the tortillas, then you can place the tortillas directly in the pan with the enchilada sauce and cook until the tortillas soften. Watch carefully so they don’t get mushy. Alternatively, the tortillas can be baked in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Why do you fry the tortillas in the first place?

Frying the tortillas forms a crust, which keeps the enchilada sauce from saturating the tortilla. We want the sauce to lay on the tortilla pieces instead or penetrating through.

Can enchiladas be frozen?

Yes! To freeze, place in a freezable container with an airtight lid. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. You can freeze leftovers or freeze just assembled enchiladas before cooking.

How do you reheat frozen enchiladas?

To reheat, defrost the enchiladas in the refrigerator overnight. Then place in a baking dish and cover with foil and cook in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Can you freeze enchilada sauce?

Yes, if you don’t use all the enchilada sauce, then place the leftovers in a freezable container or freezer bag. Sauce will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

A blue skillet with a cooked enchilada dish.

Skillet Enchiladas With Pre-Cooked Chicken

30 minute skillet enchiladas with pre-cooked chicken topped with cheese and a flavorful homemade sauce or canned. Easy meal with lots of flavor. Top with your favorite Mexican condiments.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken enchiladas, enchiladas, skillet enchiladas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 183kcal
Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Shred chicken and set aside.
  • Cut tortillas into triangles.
  • Add oil to skillet and pan fry tortilla triangles on medium-high to slightly crisp the the corn tortillas. Cook in single layer batches. Drain on paper towels.
  • Carefully discard leftover oil from frying the tortillas.
  • Add enchilada (start with 1 cup) sauce and chicken to heat. Add tortillas and fold in ingredients.
  • Top with cheese and cover until cheese melts. Once melted, add any condiments you would like; olives, green onions.
  • Garnish with any additional condiment; avocado, sour cream, salsa, diced tomatoes once plated.

Notes

You may not need all 28 ounces of the enchilada sauce. I’ve noticed it depends on the thickness of tortillas used. The super soft and thin brands will not require as much sauce and will get mushy if too much sauce is added. Add one cup first, then half cup to the desired consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 979mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

This enchilada skillet recipe was first shared March 2013. This post has been updated with new photos and additional information.

Black skillet with enchiladas topped with olives.
Photo taken 2013

I love to add avocado and Alan loads up on the olives! What do you like to add to Mexican dishes?

Looking for another Latin inspired recipe? Give this gorgeous Shrimp Ceviche with Mango, Pineapple & Avocado from The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch a try!

Easy chicken enchiladas made in a skillet topped with cheese. #enchilada #EasyRecipe #Mexican #30MinuteMeal
Hugs Sandra Signature

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12 Comments

  1. I thought for sure that this recipe would include part of that 5 lb bag of tortilla chips or that you were going to tell us that started your own Mexican restaurant. 😊 Grew up in Texas and love enchiladas. This has the flavors but done quickly.

  2. I am preparing your recipe for tonight’s dinner.. Changing it up to roast beef instead of roasted chicke this time.. Looking forward to more of your appetizing recipes..

  3. Wow… that looks really interesting. I have had burritos and something that was called ‘enchilada’ but was a bit like a burrito covered with sauce and cheese but I haven’t come across a presentation like this. Looks like a great dish to experiment with 🙂

    1. The burrito you described with sauce is often referred to a wet burrito. Definitely need a fork and knife for that! If you try the skillet enchilada, let me know how you like it 🙂

  4. Sandra.
    Do you even know how much I love Mexican food? Geeez. I love this. Yay for your mom!!! No olives for me (but my kids will eat ALL of them) but I will put avocado on most anything. And cheese. Lots of cheese!