Healthy Enchilada Chicken Bake Recipe (2024)

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Kimber|

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All of the delicious flavor of chicken enchiladas is wrapped up into this healthier version of the classic dish. With only 5 ingredients and a few minutes this delicious easy dinner can be in the oven and to the table making a perfect weeknight meal!

You all probably know by now that easy chicken bakes are my go to for weeknight dinners and feeding a crowd. They are quick, easy, healthy and really, really delicious! After coming up with two of my favorites, the Fajita Chicken bake and the Italian Chicken Bake, I didn’t know if any other dinner could be quite as good. But move over, because there is a new favorite in town.

There could be nothing but absolute deliciousness when you mix all of the best flavors from enchiladas and put it on top of chicken to bake into a little piece of heaven. So simple. I can’t believe it took me this long to try it!

Well, take my word for it and just put this on your list to make this week. Everyone will love it! All you need are 5 basic ingredients- chicken, corn, black beans, enchilada sauce, and cheese. You can go light on the cheese to make it healthier, or even omit it if you want to modify the recipe for a non dairy diet like paleo.

For this recipe you will want to start with a baking dish a bit larger than your chicken because there are lots of toppings. I used a 9×13 glass pyrex dish. Trim the chicken breasts and lay then flat in the dish. Spread the black beans and corn over the chicken and then pour the enchilada sauce over everything. Top with cheese and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Because there is a lot of stuff on the chicken it takes a bit longer in the oven, but the prep time is so little you make up for it!

It really is hard to believe something this easy can be so delicious, but give it a try and I am sure you will love it too! I like to serve it up over a big bed of spanish rice or a few corn tortillas. I also like to add some chopped cilantro and a nice big dollop of sour cream on top. If you are sticking to healthy you can leave the sour cream off or go light. My family eats about 1/2 chicken breast each so this makes 6-8 servings for us- which is great becauseI love to use the leftovers to make other meals in just minutes throughout the week!

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Healthy Enchilada Chicken Bake Recipe (5)

Healthy Enchilada Chicken Bake Recipe

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Author:Kimber

Print Review Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Chicken Breasts trimmed
  • 1 Can Corn drained
  • 1 Can Black Beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 Can Red Enchilada Sauce
  • 1 Cup Mexican Blend Cheese shredded {more or less to taste}

Garnish:

  • Chopped Cilantro
  • Sour Cream

Instructions

  • Lay the chicken breasts flat in a pyrex dish.

  • Spread the corn and black beans evenly over the chicken.

  • Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of everything.

  • Spread the cheese over the top.

  • Bake uncovered on the middle rack at 350?F for 40-50 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

  • When the dish is done serve hot over tortillas or a bed of rice.

  • Garnish with sour cream and chopped cilantro.

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

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Healthy Enchilada Chicken Bake Recipe (11)

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12 Comments

  1. Kristin says

    YUM! So good. I made this last night. The only thing I changed up was I added a can of diced tomatoes and a can of mild ro-tel for a tiny bit of spice and to make the dish more saucy. Perfection!! Thank you 🙂

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      That is a great idea! This is one of my all time favorite dinners. I am so glad you loved it too.

      Reply

  2. MSJ says

    (i’m definitely making this tonight… it sounds amazing!
    silly question- what size can of enchilada sauce do you use? i can only find 2 sizes at my store- 10oz and 20 oz.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      I just used a regular 10 oz can. Hope that helps!

      Reply

      • MSJ says

        thanks!

        Reply

  3. Faye Crowell says

    I was wondering if you think that this could be prepped ahead of time and then put in the oven to bake when ready?

    Reply

  4. Valerie says

    I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love that you used chicken! I might add a few vegetables to the mix.

    Thanks for sharing a great recipe.

    Reply

  5. Adrienne says

    What brand of enchilada sauce do you use

    Reply

  6. Sherri says

    How many calories per serving?

    Reply

  7. Nikki says

    I used chicken thighs & fire roasted corn plus green chilis & a few chipotle peppers. A dash of cumin, chili powder & cayenne pepper helped to make this a keeper!

    Reply

  8. Grama says

    This is so incredibly easy and yummy! Don’t let the black beans scare you, it’s very mild! I prefer green enchilada sauce which worked perfectly. Served with Mexican rice.

    Reply

Healthy Enchilada Chicken Bake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

How healthy is enchiladas? ›

Although there is some contention, some due to the cheese and meats in enchiladas, they are high in saturated fats. Nutrition experts like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, still recommend keeping your saturated fat intake to a minimum for optimal health.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

Try Val Vita, a is popular tomato sauce in North West Mexico, from there you can ad more spice and condiments, mixed with Pato Sauce can also make the trick for a quick sauce for enchiladas. Another one would be fry some chile ancho, pasilla, guajillo, or prefered one, some onion, garlic and mix it with the Val Vita.

Are chicken enchiladas unhealthy? ›

Typically, enchiladas are not what one considers “healthy.” They're loaded with a lot of heavy, saturated fat and refined carbs that make them something you don't want to eat on THE REG.

What is the healthiest Mexican food? ›

In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos.

How many calories are in 2 homemade chicken enchiladas? ›

There are 469 calories in 2 Enchilada with Chicken and Cheese in Tomato- Based Sauce. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

Does Chicken enchilada have carbs? ›

Chicken enchiladas, with cheese (1 each - 6" long, 6" diameter tortilla rolled) contains 15.4g total carbs, 13.5g net carbs, 8.3g fat, 15.2g protein, and 197 calories.

What cheese is best for enchiladas? ›

For restaurant-style cheese enchiladas, look for a Mexican-style shredded cheese blend at the grocery store. These contain the perfect mix of cheeses that both stretch and melt when hot. Here are two blends to look out for (though there are lots more!): Monterey Jack cheese, Asadero, Queso Quesadilla.

Do Mexicans prefer flour or corn? ›

Corn tortillas are seen as more authentic to Mexican dishes, corn has been a staple ingredient in Mexican cooking for thousands of years.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

What cheese melts the best for enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

How do you keep flour tortillas from getting soggy in enchiladas? ›

Usually when I've made them I just put sauce on top, not on the bottom, and just down the middle so the edges are exposed. And I make the sauce on the thick side so it is not too watery. I bake them in the oven too, and they are never too soggy, but you could just grill to minimise the sauce absorption.

How do you Dr up enchilada sauce? ›

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

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