There’s really nothing better than an enchilada bake on any night of the week - and this Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake is exactly what I'm talking about!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
When you layer together shredded enchilada chicken with ALL THE CHEESE, tortillas, black beans and corn it’s basically a recipe for success. This recipe for Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake has been in our family for years and I’m excited to pass it on to you guys!
You can also use that shredded Verde stye chicken we talked about years ago and ground chicken works too! You can really customize it depending on what you prefer! Quick how-to video is here!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or thighs
- Enchilada Sauce
- Green Chiles
- Chipotles in adobo
- Monterey Jack Cheese shredded
- Corn Tortillas
- Black Beans
- Fresh Corn removed from the cob
- Scallions and Cilantro to garnish
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake
Step 1: Combine the chicken, enchilada sauce, green chiles and chipotle peppers in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat, stir everything to combine, and cook for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 2: Remove the chicken, and using 2 forks, shred the chicken. Reserve all of the sauce.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium sized skillet, layer the ingredients, starting with a layer of sauce followed by 3 tortillas, ½ of the chicken, ½ of the black beans, ½ of the corn, ½ of the cheese.
Step 4: Repeat for the second layer with the remaining sauce, tortillas, chicken, black beans, corn and cheese. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes uncovered, until bubbly and cheese has melted and started to brown on top.
Step 5: Top with scallions and cilantro to serve. Cut into wedges as needed.
How to Store Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake
You can store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven till its bubbly and warmed through.
How to Freeze Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake
This can be a great meal frozen in a ready-to-bake assembly for 3 months. Follow the instructions in the recipe and once assembled, cool and freeze. Ensure tight wrapping to avoid freezer burn. To cook, you can bake in the oven in frozen state (add some extra bake time) or thaw in the fridge first.
Tips & Tricks
Keep in mind that chicken thighs will likely take a bit longer to cook, so use a thermometer to know when they are done cooking.
FAQs
Can I use a different sauce to change it up?
Certainly, one recommendation that would work great is the verde stye chicken we talked about years ago!
Can I use flour tortillas?
Yup, flour tortillas will also work well here.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
And if you want more enchilada style recipes:
- Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
- Enchilada Queso
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Poblano Skillet Enchiladas
- Chicken Enchiladas Verde
Skillet Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Bake
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 4-5 boneless skinless chicken thighs)
- 1 14-oz can of Enchilada Sauce
- 1 small jar green chiles
- 2 chipotles in adobo chopped
- 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 6 6-inch corn tortillas
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup fresh corn removed from the cob
- scallions and cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- Combine the chicken, enchilada sauce, green chiles and chipotle peppers in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat, stir everything to combine, and cook for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken, and using 2 forks, shred the chicken. Reserve all of the sauce.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a medium sized skillet, layer the ingredients, starting with a layer of sauce followed by 3 tortillas, ½ of the chicken, ½ of the black beans, ½ of the corn, ½ of the cheese. Repeat for the second layer with the remaining sauce, tortillas, chicken, black beans, corn and cheese. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes uncovered, until bubbly and cheese has melted and started to brown on top.
- Top with scallions and cilantro to serve. Cut into wedges as needed.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
Hi! This looks amazing! What enchilada sauce do you use???
I use lots of different brands! old el paso, the 365 brand from whole foods etc! whatever looks good
Trader Joe's red enchilada sauce is my FAVORITE. I ONLY use that brand, so I usually have 3-4 bottles of it on hand.
I love this recipe. We've made it several times. Is it possible to make ahead? If so, would you recommend assembling in the morning and then cooking at night or would you cook it ahead of time and then re-heat?
I would assemble ahead and then bake right before serving
Stupid question but do I use canned black beans or just regular uncooked black beans?
cooked!! canned! don't use raw beans
How many does this serve and what size cast iron skillet used? Can you use flour tortillas?
6 people and yes!
This recipe was easy to make and so delicious!! Thank you.
Love this recipe! Made it tonight and have never left a recipe review before, but it was just so good. We're adding it to our regular meal rotation.
Love this, but looking forward advice on a vegetarian substitute for chicken. My husband is vegetarian.. 🙁
I would do sauteed portobello mushrooms instead!
Add diced roasted sweet potato (mix olive oil, salt & chili powder to diced SP, then roast in 425° oven for 15 min). That, along with sautéed mushrooms, would be very good as a vegetarian option.
I gave made this many times and it’s freaking amazing
I've made this a few times. It's always a hit and I love how easy it is to put together. I always double the enchilada sauce and use a 28oz can. We like it extra saucy and the extra moisture is great for cooking at high elevation.
Can’t wait to try! If I’m using boneless skinless things, would I need to adjust anything?
might take a touch longer to cook - but otherwise go for it! I do it all the time
Thanks!! Trying tonight!!
Red enchilada sauce or green??
your choice!
Made this last night. Didn’t have enchilada sauce, so did chicken broth, cumin, and tomato paste as a substitute. Worked great!
Might try again as a veggie option. More beans/spinach, no chicken.
Made this for dinner last night, and it was a major hit! My 18 yr old stepdaughter is demanding I make it every week. Didn’t change any part of the recipe- just added jalapeños before baking for a little extra kick. Thanks for the recipe, Gaby!
My entire family raved about this skillet enchilada bake. The chicken was so tender and flavorful! The addition of fresh in-season corn and a big squeeze of lime took it over the top. The finished product looked gorgeous in our cast iron skillet.
This was SO delicious and had a kick of heat! I cooked the chicken in the Instant pot first, then shredded and added with the ingredients. Didn't find enchilada sauce at the store, so made my own. This recipe will definitely be added to the rotation!
This recipe wowed my family...it looked phenomenal and was equally tasty. AND it was easy!! Thank you!!
Delicious. My family definitely requested a make again. I think I would double the sauce next time since the tortillas and filling seemed to soak it up. I used leftover chicken fajita filling that I chopped up fine which made this a quick cook. Thanks for your delicious meals. They are always a winner!