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Easy Freezer-Friendly Chicken Enchilada Filling Recipe for Quick Delicious Meals

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A quick and easy chicken enchilada filling that is freezer-friendly, packed with bold Mexican flavors, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion finely, mince the garlic, and roughly chop the cilantro. Pat chicken dry and cut into 1-inch cubes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until translucent and starting to caramelize.
  3. Add minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add cubed chicken to the pan, stirring to coat with spices and onion. Cook for 7-10 minutes until chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
  5. Pour in fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Let the filling cool completely. Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, label, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge or warm gently before use.

Notes

Do not overcook chicken during sauté; it will finish cooking during simmering. Adjust chipotle peppers to control spice level. For smoother texture, pulse filling in a food processor but leaving it chunky is preferred. When freezing, flatten bags to remove air for faster thawing. Add broth or water if sauce thickens too much during simmering.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken enchilada filling, freezer-friendly, quick dinner, Mexican recipe, meal prep, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/easy-freezer-friendly-chicken-enchilada-filling-recipe-for-quick-delicious-meals/