Tortilla Chip Enchiladas Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick and easy take on classic enchiladas, Tortilla Chip Enchiladas are the perfect solution! This recipe transforms your favorite nacho chips into a cheesy, savory enchilada dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. It’s like a layered enchilada casserole, but with a crunchy twist.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Enchilada Sauce

1. Mix the Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and broth.
2. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld together. Set aside once done.

Step 2: Assemble the Enchiladas

1. Layer the Tortilla Chips: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of tortilla chips on the bottom. Make sure to cover the entire base but leave some chips for additional layers.
2. Add the Filling: Spread shredded chicken, black beans, green chiles, onions, and optional bell peppers or corn evenly over the chips.
3. Pour the Sauce: Drizzle a generous amount of the prepared enchilada sauce over the top.
4. Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the layers.
5. Repeat Layers: Add another layer of tortilla chips, followed by more chicken, veggies, sauce, and cheese.

Step 3: Bake the Enchiladas

1. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
2. Melt the Cheese: After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

1. Top with Extras: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly. Top with sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro, diced tomatoes, and jalapeños if desired.
2. Serve: Serve hot and enjoy your easy, cheesy Tortilla Chip Enchiladas with extra salsa or hot sauce on the side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: No need to roll tortillas—just layer chips and ingredients for a fuss-free meal.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This dish is great for using up leftover chicken or beans.
• Cheesy and Crunchy: With melted cheese and crunchy chips, it’s the perfect texture combination.
• Customizable: Easily switch up the fillings with beef, beans, or even ground turkey for a different twist.

Tips and Variations

1. Use Rotisserie Chicken:

• For convenience, you can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.

2. Vegetarian Option:

• To make it vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and add more beans, corn, or even sautéed vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.

3. Make it Spicy:

• If you love heat, add a few splashes of hot sauce to the enchilada sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper in the chicken mixture.

4. Extra Creamy:

• Stir in a little sour cream or cream cheese into the enchilada sauce for an extra creamy, rich flavor.

5. Add More Veggies:

• You can toss in more veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or even zucchini to boost the nutrition.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating:

• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or in the microwave until heated through.

FAQs

1. Can I use homemade tortilla chips?

• Yes, homemade tortilla chips work great and add even more flavor to the dish.

2. Can I use different types of cheese?

• Absolutely! Feel free to swap the cheddar and Monterey Jack for other melty cheeses like pepper jack, colby, or queso blanco.

3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

• Yes, you can assemble the layers ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to bake. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if chilled.

4. What can I serve with this dish?

• This dish pairs perfectly with Mexican rice, guacamole, or a simple green salad for a full meal.

5. Can I freeze this recipe?

• While it’s best served fresh, you can freeze it. Just cover tightly and freeze before baking. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Conclusion

Tortilla Chip Enchiladas are a delicious, easy twist on a classic favorite. With layers of crunchy tortilla chips, seasoned meat, beans, and gooey cheese, this dish brings together all the best parts of enchiladas with a new and exciting texture. Whether you’re serving this to family on a busy weeknight or bringing it to a potluck, it’s sure to be a hit!

Yield: 6

Tortilla Chip Enchiladas Recipe

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If you're looking for a quick and easy take on classic enchiladas, Tortilla Chip Enchiladas are the perfect solution! This recipe transforms your favorite nacho chips into a cheesy, savory enchilada dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners. It's like a layered enchilada casserole, but with a crunchy twist.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups tortilla chips, slightly crushed
• 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
• 2 cups shredded lettuce (for garnish)
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Meat:
   In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or turkey) until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning and water, stirring well. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Layer the Ingredients:
   In the prepared baking dish, spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips across the bottom. Add the cooked taco meat in an even layer over the chips. Next, spread the black beans and corn over the meat.
4. Add the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, mix together the enchilada sauce and salsa. Pour this sauce evenly over the top of the dish.
5. Top with Cheese:
   Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire dish. If you like onions, add diced onions on top of the cheese.
6. Bake:
   Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Add Crunchy Toppings:
   Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Before serving, top with fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and chopped cilantro for a fresh, crunchy finish.

Notes

Meat Variations: You can use shredded rotisserie chicken or ground turkey as a substitute for ground beef.

Add Heat: For extra spice, add sliced jalapeños or use spicy salsa.

Make it Vegetarian: Omit the meat and add more beans, corn, and veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.

Tortilla Chips: Use your favorite brand of tortilla chips or make your own by lightly frying corn tortillas.