Homemade Enchiladas Verdes

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Last Updated on September 2, 2025 by Casia Valdés

Few dishes are as comforting and flavor-packed as a plate of Homemade Enchiladas Verdes. This recipe takes the traditional elements of enchiladas—warm corn tortillas, a savory filling, and rich sauce—and adds the unmistakable tang of salsa verde made from roasted tomatillos and creamy table cream. The result? A family favorite that feels just as at home on a weeknight dinner table as it does on a festive holiday spread.

Growing up, my grandmother would make enchiladas from scratch on Sundays. I remember the smells of roasted peppers, simmering sauces, and melted cheese wafting through the house. This enchiladas verdes recipe pays homage to those Sundays, with a creamy twist thanks to a touch of cream cheese in the filling and Mexican table cream in the sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Balanced tang and richness – tomatillo and table cream make for a perfect salsa verde

  • Perfectly spiced – cumin, paprika, and jalapeño bring subtle depth and gentle heat

  • Family-friendly – loved by kids and adults alike, with easy spice-level control

  • Great for leftovers – reheats beautifully and even freezes well

  • Homemade taste – every bite delivers authentic Mexican flavor made right in your kitchen

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the Chicken Filling

• 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• ¼ bar cream cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• ¼ cup chicken stock

For the Salsa Verde

• 8–10 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
• ¼ white onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 jalapeño (optional, for heat)
• ¼ bunch cilantro
• 1 can (7.6 oz) Mexican table cream (or substitute sour cream)
• ¼ cup chicken stock
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Enchiladas

• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Finely chopped white onion, for garnish

Instructions

Make the Chicken Filling

• In a skillet over medium heat, add the shredded cooked chicken.
• Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Stir to combine.
• Add cream cheese and stir until melted and well incorporated.
• Pour in ¼ cup chicken stock. Let cook for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Salsa Verde

• Boil tomatillos, garlic, onion, and jalapeño in a pot of water for 5–7 minutes or until softened.
• Transfer boiled ingredients to a blender. Add cilantro, table cream, and ¼ cup chicken stock. Blend until smooth.
• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Pour in the blended sauce and simmer for 3–5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Enchiladas

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Warm the tortillas in the microwave or a dry skillet until pliable.
• Lightly dip each tortilla into the warm salsa verde to coat.
• Fill with a few tablespoons of chicken filling, then roll tightly.
• Place seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Bake and Finish

• Pour the remaining salsa verde evenly over the rolled enchiladas.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 15–20 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
• Top with chopped onion and cilantro before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans
• Pair with a crisp green salad dressed in lime vinaigrette
• Garnish with avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream
• Add pickled red onions for extra brightness
• Enjoy with a chilled agua fresca or lime soda

Tips & Variations

  • Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut to a quick filling

  • Swap the cheese with Oaxaca or pepper jack for a different flavor

  • Make it vegetarian by substituting chicken with sautéed mushrooms or beans

  • Freeze ahead – Assemble enchiladas, wrap, and freeze before baking

  • Add toppings like sliced radishes, crema, or diced tomatoes for texture

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them up to a day ahead. Just cover and refrigerate before baking.

Can I freeze enchiladas verdes?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen with an extra 10–15 minutes.

What can I substitute for table cream?
Sour cream or Mexican crema are great alternatives.

Do I have to roast the tomatillos?
Boiling is fine for this version, but roasting adds an extra smoky depth if you prefer.

Can I use flour tortillas instead?
You can, but corn tortillas offer a more authentic texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like Homemade Enchiladas Verdes—tender corn tortillas soaked in a tangy green sauce, filled with creamy chicken, and topped with bubbly cheese. This dish is a labor of love but is surprisingly easy to make. Once you try this version with cream cheese in the filling and table cream in the salsa, you’ll understand why it’s a repeat-worthy dinner in any season.

Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or simply craving authentic comfort food, these enchiladas bring everything to the table: flavor, texture, and tradition. Customize the spice, try new fillings, or double the batch for a freezer-friendly meal. No matter how you enjoy them, they’re sure to become a favorite in your kitchen too.

Homemade Enchiladas Verdes

Try these cheesy and creamy enchiladas verdes with shredded chicken and tangy tomatillo salsa verde. An easy Mexican dinner the whole family will love!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Filling
  • 1 chicken breast cooked and shredded
  • ¼ bar cream cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
For the Salsa Verde
  • 8 –10 tomatillos husked and rinsed
  • ¼ white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 jalapeño optional, for heat
  • ¼ bunch cilantro
  • 1 can 7.6 oz Mexican table cream (or substitute sour cream)
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Enchiladas
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese or Mexican cheese blend
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Finely chopped white onion for garnish

Method
 

Make the Chicken Filling
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add the shredded cooked chicken.
  2. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Stir to combine.
  3. Add cream cheese and stir until melted and well incorporated.
  4. Pour in ¼ cup chicken stock. Let cook for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Salsa Verde
  1. Boil tomatillos, garlic, onion, and jalapeño in a pot of water for 5–7 minutes or until softened.
  2. Transfer boiled ingredients to a blender. Add cilantro, table cream, and ¼ cup chicken stock. Blend until smooth.
  3. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Pour in the blended sauce and simmer for 3–5 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Enchiladas
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Warm the tortillas in the microwave or a dry skillet until pliable.
  3. Lightly dip each tortilla into the warm salsa verde to coat.
  4. Fill with a few tablespoons of chicken filling, then roll tightly.
  5. Place seam-side down in a greased baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Bake and Finish
  1. Pour the remaining salsa verde evenly over the rolled enchiladas.
  2. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  3. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
  4. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
  5. Top with chopped onion and cilantro before serving.