The first time I made these Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream White Sauce, my kitchen transformed into my favorite cozy restaurant. The aroma of warming spices and melting cheese completely took over, and I knew I was in for something special. I’d been craving that perfect blend of creamy and tangy, something more comforting than a standard red sauce enchilada. When I pulled the golden, bubbling dish from the oven, the sauce was perfectly creamy and the edges of the tortillas were just beginning to crisp. That first forkful—tender chicken, velvety sauce, and the gentle kick of green chiles—was a genuine “wow” moment. It instantly became my celebratory weeknight dinner, the one I make when I need a hug on a plate.
Ingredients
- 8-10 small flour tortillas (soft taco size)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (I use a rotisserie chicken for ease!)
- 3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, divided (about 2 cups for filling, 1 cup for topping)
- 1 (4 oz) can of diced green chiles, mild
- 1/2 cup finely diced white onion
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish
Let’s talk ingredients for a second because a few choices here make all the difference. First, do not use low-fat sour cream. The full-fat version is essential for creating a stable, rich sauce that won’t separate or become grainy in the oven—I learned this the hard way with a sadly curdled batch. For the chicken, a plain rotisserie chicken is my ultimate shortcut; it’s flavorful and saves so much time. And while you can use pre-shredded cheese, I strongly recommend buying a block of Monterey Jack and grating it yourself. The pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that can make the sauce a little grainy and it doesn’t melt nearly as smoothly. Trust me, the extra two minutes of grating is worth it.(See the next page below to continue…)