Name: Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas Recipe - Advanced
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Cooking oil; 1 medium Onion (sliced); 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 Clove Garlic (crushed); 1 teaspoon Black pepper (optional); 1 lb Chicken meat; ¼ cup Water; ¼ cup Sour cream; 8 pieces Tortilla (Flour or corn); ¾ cup Sour cream; 2 cups Grated cheese of choice (Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella...)

Looking for a gourmet twist on classic enchiladas? Discover how to make sour cream chicken enchiladas from scratch now!

What is an Enchilada?

An enchilada is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of corn tortillas filled with savory ingredients, then drenched in a flavorful sauce. While the dish’s roots lie in simple preparations—where tortillas were dipped in chili sauce—modern versions have evolved into more intricate and varied creations. Enchiladas today can be filled with everything from meats and beans to vegetables, topped with sauces that range from mild to fiery.

While the traditional recipe is based on corn tortillas, which provide an earthy base, the filling and sauce are what truly define the dish. Each enchilada can reflect the diversity of regional Mexican cuisine, offering endless opportunities for innovation and customization.

The Art of Making Sour Cream Chicken From Scratch

The heart of this dish is the sour cream chicken filling, which adds depth and richness that pre-made fillings simply cannot match. Preparing the chicken from scratch—seasoned, seared, and combined with a medley of carefully chosen spices and sour cream—gives these enchiladas an incredibly smooth texture and complexity of flavor. This step is not just about cooking the chicken, but about crafting a filling that brings together smoky, savory, and creamy elements in perfect balance.

Unlike quick, store-bought options, making the sour cream chicken from scratch gives us complete control over the seasoning and texture. The key is to create a well-seasoned base that will infuse every bite of the enchilada with flavor, without overpowering the dish.

Crafting the Perfect Enchilada

Assembling these enchiladas requires more than just rolling up tortillas. To truly elevate the dish, attention must be paid to every component. The tortillas must be lightly toasted to ensure they maintain their structure when smothered in sauce, yet remain soft and pliable. The sauce—whether homemade or carefully chosen from a high-quality store-bought option—must complement the sour cream chicken without overshadowing its delicate flavors.

What truly makes these enchiladas special, however, is the care taken in layering the ingredients. A well-balanced filling, the right amount of cheese, and a just-enough coating of sauce come together for a harmonious dish. Whether we bake them until golden brown or serve them fresh out of the oven, the result is a dish that is both comforting and sophisticated.

Why Go From Scratch?

While it’s tempting to take shortcuts with pre-made fillings or store-bought tortillas, the effort involved in making sour cream chicken from scratch pays off in both flavor and satisfaction. The depth of flavor and texture we achieve by using fresh, homemade ingredients will transform an ordinary weeknight meal into a gourmet experience. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about creating a dish from scratch—whether we’re perfecting the chicken filling or crafting our own enchilada sauce, every step in the process adds to the final masterpiece.

A Dish for Every Occasion

Making these gourmet sour cream chicken enchiladas is a rewarding endeavor, offering both a challenge for those looking to refine their culinary skills and a delicious reward at the end. Whether we’re hosting a dinner party or treating ourselves to a special meal, this dish promises a memorable experience, with complex flavors that are sure to impress.

Ingredients

Sour cream chicken

(Check out how to make Sour Cream Chicken Recipe)

2 tablespoons / 30g Cooking oil
1 medium / 100g Onion (sliced)
1 teaspoon / 5g Salt
1 clove / 3g Garlic (crushed)
1 teaspoon / 1g Black pepper (optional)
1lb / 500g Chicken meat
¼ cup / 60g Water
¼ cup / 60g Sour cream

Enchilada

8 pieces / 400g Tortilla (Flour or corn)
¾ cup / 175g Sour cream
2 cups / 225g Grated cheese of choice (Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella…)

How to make Sour cream enchiladas

Sour cream chicken

(Check out how to make Sour cream chicken)

Sauté the onions until a glassy / translucent look for about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and optional black pepper and saute until the garlic gets fragrant.
Mix in the meat and sauté until at least one side of the meat gets some golden brown color.
Add water, bring it to boil then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Mix in the sour cream. Take the lid off then increase the heat to medium and cook away about half of the added water to get a somewhat thick onion enriched sauce.
Fill some chicken onto the tortilla wrap. We can use both, flour and corn tortillas.
Roll it up.
Place them into an oven proof dish.
Spread sour cream on top. then add cheese of choice. Heat everything together.
Put them onto the middle rack of the oven and broil it at max temperature until golden brown spots start to appear on the cheese, 15 – 25 min.