Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde


When I go to a Mexican restaurant, I always seem to order chicken enchiladas with green sauce.  They are my favorite.  I usually make them after the holidays to use up leftover turkey.  It has become a traditional meal around here.

I saw a recipe the other day for enchiladas with green sauce but using hamburger just didn't sound as good to me.  So, I decided to switch out the hamburger for chicken..what appealed to me in the original recipe were the roasted tomatillos and jalapenos that were in the sauce....of course, there has to be a bit of a Rick Bayless influence...he is the best!

Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde
adapted from Fine Cooking and Rick Bayless

1 lb tomatillos (about 12 medium), husked and rinsed
3 jalapenos, stemmed and halved lengthwise (seeded, if you like)
1 medium white onion, cut into large chunks
3 garlic cloves
2/3 cup chopped cilantro, divided
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 Mexican creme, creme fraiche or heavy whipping cream
About 2 cups of coarsely shredded cooked chicken, grilled, roasted, or rotisserie
2/3 cup shredded Mexican melting cheese (quesadilla, asadero, or any similar), Monterey Jack, or mild cheddar
12 corn tortillas

Make the sauce
Roast the tomatillos, sliced onion, peeled garlic and chiles on a rimmed baking sheet 4 inches below a hot broiler until the tomatillos are soft and blotchy black on one side, 4-5 minutes.  Turn everything over and roast the other side.  Remove and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Scrape the tomatillo mixture into a blender, along with 1/2 cup cilantro.  Process to a smooth puree.  Heat 1 1/2 Tbsp oil in a medium-large pot over medium high heat. When the oil is hot enough to make a drop of the puree sizzle, add the puree all at once.  Stir constantly for several minutes until darker and thicker.  Add the broth and the crema, reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.  (You want a soupy consistency.)  Taste and season with salt.

Put the chicken in a bowl and stir in 1/2-3/4 cup of the sauce mixture into it.

Finishing the enchiladas
Smear about 1 cup sauce over the bottom of the large casserole dish.  Lay the tortillas on a baking sheet (or 2) and lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil  Bake just to warm them through and soften, about 3 minutes.  Stack the tortillas and cover with a towel to keep warm.

Working quickly so the tortillas remain warm and pliable, roll a portion of the chicken and a bit of shredded cheese up in each tortilla, then line them up in the baking dish.  Pour the remaining sauce, evenly, over the enchiladas and sprinkle with shredded cheese.  Bake until the enchiladas are heated through, about 15 minutes.  Garnish with onion rings and remaining cilantro.

PRINTABLE RECIPE


Mmmm...good!!

I am participating in Foodie Friday hosted by Michael at Rattlebridge Farm.




Comments

  1. Sure sounds good! I love the idea of turkey enchiladas too:@)

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  2. I have yet to eat in a Mexican resto! Must rectify..love the sound..

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  3. I need to make this now! It looks totally delicious!

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  4. wow....this looks so good. I need some good spicy food in my life right about now......
    shug

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  5. The chicken enchiladas with green sauce look delightful! Very fresh approach. A little Rick Bayless influence and it cannot go wrong.

    Cheers.

    Velva

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  6. Rick Bayless is the master of Mexican cooking so this has to be great. Love your pictures too. Beautiful.

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  7. Now I'm hungry. The sauce sounds just right and your presentation looks delicious.

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