Cheese Chicken Enchiladas: Choosing The Perfect Cheese

Chicken enchiladas are a popular dish in Mexico and the US, especially in New Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. They are made by rolling a variety of fillings inside corn or flour tortillas and baking them. The fillings can include shredded chicken, beans, vegetables, and cheese. The choice of cheese is an important aspect of the dish, as it melts and binds the ingredients together. Popular cheeses used in chicken enchiladas include Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and Mexican-blend cheeses.

Monterey Jack cheese

When it comes to chicken enchiladas, Monterey Jack cheese is a fantastic option. Its mild, milky flavour and exceptional meltability make it an ideal choice for this dish. The cheese blends beautifully with other ingredients, creating a cohesive and tasty filling. To enhance the flavour and texture of your enchiladas, try mixing shredded Monterey Jack cheese with shredded chicken and other ingredients of your choice, such as green chiles or sour cream.

To prepare your enchiladas, start by warming your tortillas and dipping them in enchilada sauce. You can use either corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference. Corn tortillas are traditionally used in Mexican-style enchiladas, while flour tortillas are more common in Tex-Mex and American-style variations. Once your tortillas are ready, it's time to fill and roll them.

For the filling, combine shredded chicken with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and any additional ingredients you desire. Some popular choices include green chiles, onions, beans, and other types of shredded cheese such as mozzarella or cheddar. You can also add in some spices like garlic salt, cumin, or garlic powder to enhance the flavour. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste!

After filling and rolling your enchiladas, arrange them in a baking dish. Pour your chosen enchilada sauce over them, and top with a generous amount of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Bake your enchiladas until the cheese is melted and bubbly, which usually takes around 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 350°F.

If you want to elevate your enchiladas even further, consider serving them with sides and toppings that complement the flavours. Some options include guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, or Mexican rice. You can also try different variations of enchilada sauce, such as red or green enchilada sauce, to switch up the flavours.

Remember, the beauty of chicken enchiladas is that they are highly customisable, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and find the combination that suits your taste. Enjoy crafting your perfect Monterey Jack chicken enchiladas!

Cheddar cheese

When making chicken enchiladas with cheddar cheese, you can use either shredded or chopped cooked chicken. You will also need corn tortillas, and other ingredients like butter, chicken broth, garlic powder, and spices of your choice.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Cheese Mixture

Start by cooking the chicken with your favourite seasonings. You can use leftover chicken or cook it specifically for the enchiladas. Shred or chop the cooked chicken and mix it with shredded cheddar cheese. You can also add other ingredients to this mixture, such as chopped green chilies, to enhance the flavour.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet to make them pliable. This will make it easier to roll them later. You can also dip the tortillas in enchilada sauce to add extra flavour and moisture.

Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas

Place equal portions of the chicken and cheese mixture on each tortilla using a spoon. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam-side down in a baking dish. You can also fill the tortillas with the mixture and then roll them up.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and add flour, stirring until smooth. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Add spices such as cumin and garlic powder to taste. You can also add more green chilies to the sauce if desired.

Step 5: Bake the Enchiladas

Pour the sauce over the rolled-up tortillas in the baking dish. Top with more shredded cheddar cheese. Bake the enchiladas in the oven at 350°F for about 15-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the enchiladas from the oven and serve them with your favourite toppings and sides. Some popular toppings include sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced onions, avocado slices, and shredded lettuce. You can also serve them with Mexican rice, refried beans, or guacamole on the side.

Mozzarella cheese

First, you'll want to gather your ingredients. You'll need cooked, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, tortillas (corn or flour), and some additional seasonings and sauces. You can also add other ingredients like beans, vegetables, or different types of meat to customize your enchiladas.

Once you have your ingredients, you can start assembling the enchiladas. Mix the shredded chicken with some enchilada sauce and your desired seasonings. Warm the tortillas so they are pliable, and then fill each tortilla with the chicken mixture and a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them in a baking dish.

At this point, you can pour your desired enchilada sauce over the tortillas and top with more cheese. You can also add other toppings like sour cream, avocado slices, or diced onions.

Finally, bake your enchiladas in the oven at a temperature of around 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

With these steps, you can enjoy delicious, cheesy chicken enchiladas with the perfect amount of mozzarella!

Oaxaca cheese

When substituting Oaxaca cheese for other types of cheese in enchiladas, it is important to note that it has a higher moisture content. This means that it can make the dish slightly wetter. To compensate, you can add more of the filling ingredients or reduce the amount of cheese used.

For chicken enchiladas, Oaxaca cheese can be combined with other cheeses such as Chihuahua or Asadero for an authentic Mexican flavour. It can also be substituted with other melting cheeses such as queso quesadilla or cheddar.

Asadero cheese

When making chicken enchiladas with Asadero cheese, you can follow these simple steps:

Ingredients:

• Cooked shredded chicken
• Asadero cheese, shredded
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: diced onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, a small amount of enchilada sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• If using corn tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for about a minute, flipping halfway through, until they are warm and pliable. For flour tortillas, simply microwave them on a plate for a minute.
• Assemble the enchiladas by filling each tortilla with the shredded chicken mixture and a generous amount of shredded Asadero cheese. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam-side down in a large baking dish.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and top with any remaining cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Serve immediately with your desired toppings.

Feel free to customise your chicken enchiladas by adding beans, veggies, or different types of meat. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as green enchilada sauce or a cheesy white sauce.

Frequently asked questions