Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

These Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe are made with corn tortillas, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing and mozzarella cheese.

This is a very non-traditional Mexican dish with an American twist. You can either buy store-bought buffalo sauce or make your own. Making your own buffalo sauce is simple: you just need to melt a stick of butter and hot sauce, like Frank’s, on a skillet until it melts. For best taste make your own, although buying a good quality buffalo sauce at the store can be just as good.

If you love this recipe feel free to try my Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks or my Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Jump to:

• What are Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas?
• Why are Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas so great?
• Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Ingredients
• How to make Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
• What to serve with Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
• Substitutions
• Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How to store Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
• Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Top tips
• Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
• Food safety

What are Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas?

Buffalo chicken enchiladas are a spicy and savory dish made by combining shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch, which is then wrapped in tortillas, topped with more buffalo sauce and cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden brown. The dish typically includes other ingredients such as onions, garlic, and sometimes ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. The result is a flavorful and satisfying meal that combines the classic flavors of buffalo chicken with the comfort and heartiness of enchiladas. It is a popular dish in many parts of the United States, particularly in the Southwestern region.

Why are Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas so great?

• They're flavorful: The combination of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy cheese sauce creates a bold and delicious flavor that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
• They're easy to make: Buffalo chicken enchiladas are relatively easy to make, with simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques. They're a great option for a quick weeknight meal or a casual dinner party.
• They're versatile: You can easily customize buffalo chicken enchiladas to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. For example, you can use different types of tortillas, add more or less spice, or substitute the chicken with a vegetarian option.
• They're a crowd-pleaser: Buffalo chicken enchiladas are a popular dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. They're great for potlucks, parties, or any occasion where you want to serve a delicious and satisfying dish.
• They're comfort food: There's something about the combination of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy cheese sauce that just screams comfort food. Buffalo chicken enchiladas are a great dish to enjoy on a cold day or when you're craving something warm and comforting.

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Shredded Chicken
• Corn tortilla
• Buffalo sauce
• Ranch
• Mozzarella cheese

See recipe card for Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas with Ranch quantities.

How to make Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Hint: To make your own buffalo sauce: In a large saucepan on medium low heat, add a whole stick of butter and a cup of hot sauce (like Frank’s) for 10 minutes, and keep stirring until the butter slowly melts. If the butter has completely melted, keep stirring.

What to serve with Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

• Rice: A simple side of steamed rice can be a great complement to the spicy flavors of the enchiladas.
• Salad: A side salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette can help balance out the richness of the enchiladas.
• Guacamole and chips: The creamy and cooling qualities of guacamole can help balance out the spiciness of the enchiladas. Serve it alongside some tortilla chips for a crunchy and satisfying side.
• Grilled vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions can add a nice smoky flavor to the meal while also providing some extra nutrition.
• Black beans: A side of black beans can be a great source of protein and fiber, and the mild flavor can help balance out the heat of the enchiladas.

Substitutions

Buffalo sauce: Buy homemade buffalo sauce or make your own by melting butter and mixing in hot sauce.

Tortilla: You can use corn or flour tortilla. They sell hybrid corn and flour tortillas which are super delicious and great for this recipe too. If you want this to be keto, use low carb tortillas.

Ranch: I used Hidden Valley ranch for this, but you can use any brand you want.

Chicken: You can choose to cook the chicken and shred it yourself, or do what I did: Go to your local supermarket and buy a whole rotisserie chicken. Peel off the chicken from the bones and use the meat for this recipe. Psst: You can use the bones to make a delicious bone broth!

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian: Use a meat substitute such as tofu or tempeh instead of chicken, and add extra veggies such as bell peppers or mushrooms to the filling.
• Sweet Potato: Roast diced sweet potatoes and add them to the filling along with the chicken and buffalo sauce. The sweetness of the potatoes can help balance out the spiciness of the sauce.
• Cream Cheese-free: For a lighter version, omit the cream cheese and use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
• Keto-friendly: Use low-carb tortillas and a sugar-free buffalo sauce to make the dish more suitable for a ketogenic diet.
• Mexican-style: Add some traditional Mexican ingredients to the filling such as black beans, corn, and cilantro, and top with a spicy salsa.
• Blue Cheese: If you're a fan of blue cheese, add some crumbles to the filling or sprinkle on top before baking.

Equipment

• Baking dish: You'll need a baking dish, such as a 9x13 inch pan, to assemble and bake the enchiladas.
• Mixing bowls: You'll need at least two mixing bowls: one for the chicken filling and one for the sauce.
• Utensils: You'll need a few utensils for preparing the dish, including a spoon or spatula for mixing the filling and sauce, tongs for handling the tortillas, and a knife for slicing the chicken.
• Measuring cups and spoons: You'll need measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients for the filling and sauce.
• Oven: You'll need an oven to bake the enchiladas.
• Aluminum foil: You may want to cover the baking dish with aluminum foil while baking to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
• Optional: A blender or food processor to puree the sauce ingredients, if desired.

How to store Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

If you have leftover buffalo chicken enchiladas, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To store them properly, follow these steps:

1. Allow the enchiladas to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the dish soggy.
2. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
3. Place the dish in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days.

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Top tips

• Shred the chicken: Shred the chicken using two forks or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. This will make it easier to mix with the other ingredients and will give the enchiladas a better texture.
• Use corn tortillas: Corn tortillas are more traditional for enchiladas and hold up better to the sauce and filling than flour tortillas. If you do use flour tortillas, warm them up slightly before assembling the enchiladas to make them more pliable.
• Pre-cook the tortillas: Dip the tortillas in hot oil for a few seconds to soften them and make them easier to roll. Or, you can heat them in the microwave for a few seconds covered with a damp paper towel.
• Reserve some sauce: Reserve some of the buffalo sauce to pour over the enchiladas after they're baked. This will give them extra flavor and moisture.
• Customize the spice level: Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your liking to make the enchiladas more or less spicy. You can also add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the filling if you like extra heat.
• Add toppings: Before serving, top the enchiladas with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, sliced jalapenos, or diced tomatoes.
• Make it ahead: You can assemble the enchiladas up to one day ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. This makes for an easy and quick meal when you're short on time.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.