Friday, September 3, 2010

Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce


One of my favorite meals is always the one that follows a roast chicken. Many times I crave a dish, such as this, that includes shredded chicken but honestly I don't have the time or the inclination to roast a chicken in advance of preparing a meal. However, the convenience of having cooked chicken handy right in the refrigerator is indeed invaluable.  It is so versatile that it lends itself to a multitude of cuisines from Indian to Italian to Thai to Mexican and countless others as well.  Don't worry though, if you have a hankering for these easy chicken enchiladas and you did not have a roast chicken last night, this is a perfect time to take some help from the store in the form of a rotisserie chicken.  Just bring it home, let it cool just until is it easily handled and shred.  Save the leftovers (if there is any) for lunch time chicken sandwiches. 

Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce
1 cup shredded chicken
3/4 cup favorite jarred Salsa Verde
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
corn tortillas
queso fresco, crumbled (Mexican crumbling cheese)
lettuce, shredded
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
tomato, diced
red onion, diced
black olives, sliced
pickled jalapeno slices
fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Lightly brush each side of corn tortillas with canola oil and stack them on the the parment lined baking sheet.  Warm in the oven for about 5 minutes or until pliable.  Meanwhile combine shredded chicken, 1/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and 1/4 cup salsa verde in a mixing bowl.  Fill each warmed tortilla with 1/3 of chicken mixture, roll tightly and place in a small casserole dish, seam side down. Cover with remaining salsa verde and Monterey Jack cheese.  Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.  Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.  Serve over shredded lettuce dressed with hint of vinegar and seasoned with salt.  Top with queso fresco, tomato, onion, olives, jalapeno and fresh cilantro.   

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