Looking for a simple way to turn chicken into a flavorful weeknight dinner? This easy chicken with enchilada sauce recipe is perfect—juicy simmered chicken breasts cooked right in a rich, homemade-style sauce.
See a quick video on how to make this simmered chicken dish – it is one of my favorite recipes using enchilada sauce.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CHICKEN DISH
Start simple with enchilada sauce in a jar or can. Or try my homemade red enchilada sauce.
In just a few steps, you’ll have a comforting, saucy meal, full of protein from the chicken breast, that’s ready to serve with butter tortillas, rice, or your favorite sides.
See how to make the best chicken tacos.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tbsp cilantro fresh chopped for serving (optional)
See how to make buffalo chicken dip.
HOW TO MAKE THIS SIMMERED CHICKEN AND ENCHILADA SAUCE RECIPE
Here’s the step-by-step recipe…
Step 5 – Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro, or use the chicken to make tacos.
De-licious!
Next, try this grilled chicken and mango salad.
FAQs
If you’re using chicken tenderloins, which are smaller cuts of chicken breast meat, then you shouldn’t need to bake it after simmering. The reason is because the cuts of chicken are small, they cook quickly and evenly. If you’re modifying this recipe for larger pieces of boneless skinless chicken breast, then you will probably need to bake chicken in the oven (after simmering ~5-10 minutes) so it cooks throughout.
Use up any leftover refried beans, sour cream, black beans, spanish rice and plate it with this chicken in bowls. Or serve up diced chicken with corn tortillas for tacos.
Yes, this recipe works for both red enchilada sauce or green sauce.
More Homemade Sauces To Try
- Peppercorn steak sauce
- Crushed tomato pasta sauce
- Chicken with enchilada sauce
- Alfredo pizza sauce
- Bucatini sauce
- Italian pizza sauce
- Alfredo sauce from a jar
- Jalapeno ranch dressing
- Romesco sauce
See how to make smoked chicken breast.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I’d love to know how your version turned out! Drop a rating and leave a comment below to help the Sip Bite Go community. And if you snapped any photos, tag me on Instagram—I love sharing reader pics in my Stories!
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Easy Chicken with Enchilada Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tbsp cilantro fresh chopped for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, and once it’s hot and shimmering, add the seasoned chicken. Sear for 3 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and pour in the enchilada sauce and water. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan with a lid. Let the chicken simmer.
- Cook for 5–12 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. If the chicken isn’t done at 5 minutes, flip the tenderloins to help them cook evenly. The sauce should remain slightly liquidy—if it gets too thick, reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1–3 tablespoons of water to keep the chicken juicy.
- Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro, or use the chicken to make tacos.
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