Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
Why this recipe works
- Buffalo-style punch: Hot sauce brings the sharp, tangy heat associated with buffalo chicken, while tomato passata rounds the topping into a spoonable bake sauce.
- Creamy filling: Sour cream coats the shredded chicken, keeping the filling moist and giving the heat a softer, more balanced finish.
- Easy to serve: Rolled tortillas bake together in one dish, making this a practical dinner for sharing straight from the oven.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For gentler heat: Reduce the hot sauce in the chicken filling and keep more of the tomato-based sauce on top, where it tastes less intense.
- For extra heat: Use a hotter buffalo-style sauce or add a little extra to the shredded chicken before rolling the tortillas.
- Keep it balanced: Taste the chicken filling before assembling; the sour cream should soften the heat without making the filling bland.
Texture tips
- Avoid soggy tortillas: Use only a thin layer of sauce on the base of the dish before adding the rolled tortillas.
- Keep the chicken juicy: Chicken thighs stay tender after baking and shredding, but chicken breast should be cooked only until just done.
- Let them rest: A short rest after baking helps the filling settle, so the enchiladas hold together better when served.
Ingredient notes
- Choose the hot sauce carefully: Buffalo-style hot sauce gives the most recognisable flavour, with a vinegar-forward tang and steady chilli heat.
- Sour cream adds richness: Fuller-fat sour cream gives a smoother filling and is less likely to taste sharp against the hot sauce.
- Cheese choice matters: Cheddar gives a stronger savoury finish, while Monterey Jack creates a milder, creamier melt.
Make-ahead tips
- Prepare the components ahead: The sauce and shredded chicken filling can be made in advance, then assembled shortly before baking.
- Freezer-friendly portions: Cool completely, wrap well and freeze portions for later meals.
- Reheat thoroughly: Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot throughout.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the ground onion, then pour in the tomato passata and 60 ml of the hot sauce. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened, then take off the heat.
- Meanwhile, put the chicken thighs in a baking dish and spoon over a few tablespoons of the sauce to lightly coat. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
- Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it with two forks. Stir in the sour cream and the remaining 60 ml hot sauce until evenly coated.
- Spread a thin layer of the tomato hot sauce over the base of the baking dish. Fill each flour tortilla with the buffalo chicken mixture, roll up, and arrange seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until bubbling and the cheese has melted.
- Slice the spring onion and scatter over the top. Rest for 5 minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Warm the flour tortillas briefly in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes before filling so they roll without cracking.
- For a milder heat, use less hot sauce in the chicken mixture and keep the full amount in the topping for a gentler, more balanced finish.
- If serving vulnerable groups, ensure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout before shredding and assembling.
Substitutions
- Replace Chicken thighs with Chicken breast for a leaner filling; reduce the initial bake time slightly and cook until just done so it stays juicy.
- Replace Cheddar cheese with Monterey jack cheese for a milder, creamier melt.
- Replace Sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter tang; stir it into the shredded chicken off the heat to prevent splitting.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze portions well wrapped for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot throughout.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 55min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
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