**An Introduction to Enchiladas**
Enchiladas are a beloved Mexican dish that typically consists of a tortilla filled with various delicious ingredients and topped with a flavorful sauce. They can come in many forms, with options like chicken enchiladas being especially popular. In this article, we’ll explore what enchiladas are, their nutrition facts, learn how to make chicken enchiladas, discover other healthy Mexican dishes, and get a mouthwatering chicken enchilada recipe.
**What Is an Enchilada?**
An enchilada is a tortilla that has been rolled around a filling and either fried or baked. The tortilla can be made from either a corn or flour base. The fillings often include meat such as chicken, along with beans, cheese, and vegetables. The topping can vary from a tomato and chili-based sauce to additional ingredients like fresh cilantro, sour cream, lettuce, and chopped onions. Enchiladas have a rich history, with their origin tracing back to Mayan times. Nowadays, there are countless variations in fillings and sauces to suit every taste.
**Nutrition Facts**
When following this easy chicken enchilada recipe, you can enjoy a dish that is not only delicious but also packed with nutrition. For example, a serving of two enchiladas provides 43 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbohydrates, and 21 grams of fat, making it a satisfying and well-balanced meal. It also offers a good amount of vitamins and minerals, including 20.5 mg of vitamin C, 145 µg of folate DFE (36% of the daily value), and 1.88 mg of vitamin B5 (38% of the daily value).
**How to Make Chicken Enchiladas**
Making chicken enchiladas at home is easier than you might think. First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, chop the chicken tenders and red onion. In a large frying pan greased with avocado oil, sauté the chicken and onion, adding a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and sea salt for some flavor. Next, set out a tortilla and fill it with the cooked chicken, onion, diced yellow squash, and goat cheese. Roll it up and place it in a baking dish. Continue this process until the dish is filled. Top the enchiladas with salsa verde and sprinkle with shredded hard goat cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown. Serve with fresh cilantro and green onions for a delicious and healthy meal.
**Other Healthy Mexican Dishes**
In addition to chicken enchiladas, there are many other great Mexican dishes to explore. Some options include huevos rancheros (eggs on a tortilla), Mexican chicken pozole verde (green chicken soup), calabacitas (zucchini dishes), carne asada tacos (grilled steak tacos), pico de gallo or salsa fresca (fresh salsa), chicken fajitas, and steak fajitas. These dishes offer a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy your taste buds.
**Chicken Enchilada Recipe**
Here is the detailed chicken enchilada recipe:
**Ingredients**:
– 1 pound chicken tenders, cooked and chopped
– 1 red onion, chopped
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
– ½ teaspoon sea salt
– 2 teaspoons avocado oil
– 8 Paleo coconut wraps OR grain-free tortillas
– 2 yellow squash, chopped
– one 4-ounce package of soft goat cheese
– 1½ cups salsa verde
– ½ cup shredded hard goat or sheep cheese
– ½ cup chopped cilantro
– ½ cup chopped green onions
**Instructions**:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Chop the chicken tenders and red onion.
3. In a large frying pan, grease with avocado oil and then sauté the chicken tenders and red onion until mostly cooked.
4. Dice the yellow squash.
5. On each tortilla, add chicken and onion and goat cheese and roll into an enchilada.
6. Add each roll to a 8 x 10 baking dish.
7. Once filled, top with salsa verde and cheese.
8. Bake for 20 minutes.
9. Serve topped with cilantro and green onions.
**Conclusion**: Enchiladas are a delicious and versatile Mexican dish that can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer chicken enchiladas or are looking to try other variations, making them at home allows you to control the ingredients and have a healthy and flavorful meal. So, gather your ingredients and get cooking to enjoy this wonderful Mexican treat.
