Green Jalapeno and Tomatillo Chicken Enchiladas

Chef Sarita in Austin Texas's Note:

This recipe has a couple of short cuts to make the prep time easier than the traditional green enchiladas but it does not sacrafice taste. I preffer to use the Crema salvadorena or Crema Hondurena as the cream that will top the enchiladas but these are not always available at your local supermarket as Crema Mexicana is. They are usually found in Mexican specialty supermarkets. The stove can be completly OMITTED in this recipe and you can use the microwave also.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 3

• 1 roasted store brought chicken (shredded)
• 28 ounces canned cooked tomatillos (preffer La Costena)
• 4 ounces canned chopped jalapenos
• 1 whole fresh jalapeno (cut in half and seeded)
• 10 tortillas
• 1/2 cup Mexican crema (or Crema salvadorena or hondurena)
• 1 cup crumbled queso fresco (mexican)
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• salt

Directions:

1. Heat the cooking oil in a small frying pan. Slide the torillas thru with a spatula (one by one) quickly for about 2-3 secs on each side. What you are trying to accomplish with this is for the tortillas to become soft and pliable. Be careful not to harden them by leaving them too long in the oil. Place on a paper towel to drain.
2. Open the can of tomatillos and drain. In a blender add the tomatillos and cleaned jalapeno. Blend for about 3 minute or until everything is thoroughly mixed. Preheat oven to 375°F.
3. In a medium pot, add the tomatillo mix and stir under medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add salt to taste. Turn stove off. Stir in ONLY 1/4 cup of the crema. Reserve 1/2 of this sauce and set aside.
4. Open and drain can of jalapenos and mix with the shredded chicken. At this point, add the reserved tomatillo mixture to chicken and combine by mixing together.
5. In a baking sheet, start making enchiladas by adding 2 table spoons of chicken mixture to middle of tortilla and roll. Do this with all the tortillas.Place all the enchiladas side by side in the baking pan.
6. Pour the remaining tomatillo mixture on top of the enchiladas. Place enchiladas in oven and heat thru for about 5-7 minute.
7. In a small ziploc bag, place the remaining CREMA. Make a medium-small opening at one corner, in order to squeeze cream thru corner.
8. Once enchiladas are heated thru, Drizzle crema on top of enchildas in wide and long zig zag motion. Add crumbled queso fresco on top of enchiladas and serve with rice and refried beans.

Reviews

[PleasantNancy]

Loved the enchiladas! They have a more authentic taste than other recipes I've tried. I used half flour and half white corn tortillas because the recipe did not specify....I liked the corn better. I am so happy that I found this recipe and will make again! Thanks for posting.

[PanNan]

We really enjoyed the flavor of these enchiladas. When blending the canned tomatillos and fresh jalapeno, I was so tempted to add some garlic, onion, and cilantro, but decided to stay true to the recipe. I did add a little cilantro as a garnish at the end, but it wasn't needed for flavor. I loved the shortcuts of using a cooked rotisserie chicken and the canned tomatillos instead of raw. My husband said he'd like to have these again, and that's quite a compliment. Made for PAC Fall 2009.