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Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Enchiladas, oven-baked to golden brown, topped with fresh green onions and a dollop of creamy jalapeño sauce, displayed close-up to show melted cheese, chicken filling, and rich, bubbly sauce.

Jalapeño Popper Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas


  • Author: Emma Hart
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 7 enchiladas 1x

Description

Creamy, spicy jalapeño poppers combined with classic enchiladas shredded chicken folded with cream cheese, onions, and jalapeños, baked under green sauce and Monterey Jack cheese.


Ingredients

Scale

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
3½ tsp garlic powder, divided
1½ tsp cayenne pepper, divided
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 large onion, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cubed
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
1 (28 oz) can green enchilada sauce
7 flour tortillas
8 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided


Instructions

  1. Cook chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Season chicken with ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bake 30–35 minutes until cooked through. Cool slightly, then shred.

  2. Sauté vegetables: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and jalapeños; cook about 5 minutes until softened. Add cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.

  3. Season filling: Stir in remaining garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Add shredded chicken and mix well to coat evenly. Remove from heat.

  4. Assemble enchiladas: Spread half the enchilada sauce in a greased 9×13‑inch baking dish. Lay out tortillas, add chicken mixture down the center of each, and sprinkle 1 tbsp of cheese in each. Roll tightly and place seam side down in dish.

  5. Bake: Pour remaining enchilada sauce over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Cover loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes, removing foil for the last 10 minutes to brown.

  6. Serve: Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime if desired.

Notes

Seed jalapeños to reduce heat or keep seeds for more spice. Warm tortillas before filling. Use fresh cream cheese for smooth richness. Cook chicken ahead for faster prep. Store leftovers refrigerated or freeze before baking.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/7 recipe
  • Calories: 465
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 740 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 31 g
  • Cholesterol: 135 mg

Keywords: jalapeño popper enchiladas, cheesy chicken enchiladas, creamy jalapeño chicken bake, spicy enchiladas, green sauce enchiladas