Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix all enchilada seasoning spices together in a small bowl. Set aside — this same mix will season both the sauce and the chicken filling.
- Make the enchilada sauce: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir for 20 seconds to form a roux.
- Add 2 tbsp of the enchilada seasoning, the chicken broth, and the tomato passata to the roux. Whisk until smooth, then increase heat to medium-high.
- Cook the sauce for 4 minutes, whisking regularly, until it thickens to a syrup-like consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Coat the chicken in 1 tbsp olive oil and the remaining enchilada seasoning. Heat the second tbsp of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook chicken 2 minutes on the first side, 1.5 minutes on the second. Remove, rest 2 minutes, then chop.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add diced bell pepper and cook 2 more minutes until onion is translucent.
- Add refried beans, chopped chicken, drained corn, and water. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Filling should be thick and juicy — not watery.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Allow filling to cool slightly so it thickens and is easier to roll.
- Lay a tortilla flat. Spread about ⅔ cup of filling on the lower third, sprinkle with shredded cheese, then roll up seam-side down. Repeat for all 8 tortillas.
- Spread a scoop of enchilada sauce across the base of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Place rolled enchiladas in the pan, pour remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle generously with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Serve immediately sprinkled with fresh cilantro.
Notes
Tortillas: Warm corn or stiff flour tortillas 10 seconds in the microwave for easy rolling. Refried beans are the secret to a juicy, non-crumbly filling — don't skip them! Tomato passata is labeled tomato puree or tomato sauce in the US. Substitute: 4 tbsp tomato paste + 1 extra cup broth + 1 tsp sugar. Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freeze sauce separately for best results; bake enchiladas from frozen at 350°F covered 20 min then uncovered 20 min.
