Here’s a delicious, cheesy, comforting recipe for Chile Relleno Enchiladas — all the flavor of classic chile rellenos without the frying!
🌶️ Chile Relleno Enchiladas
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the Enchiladas
- 8–10 corn tortillas (or flour if you prefer)
- 1 can (7–8 oz) whole green chiles or 4–5 roasted poblano peppers, seeded and sliced
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack (or a mix of Jack + cheddar)
- 1 cup crumbled queso fresco (optional but traditional)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup salsa verde (or mild green enchilada sauce)
- 1 small can (4 oz) diced green chiles
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
For Topping
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Extra cheese
🧀 Instructions
1. Make the Green Chile Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and whisk 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
- Add:
- salsa verde
- diced green chiles
- cumin
- salt & pepper
- garlic powder
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Prepare the Filling
- Mix together:
- shredded Monterey Jack
- queso fresco (if using)
- onions
- garlic
- Slice whole green chiles or roasted poblanos into strips.
3. Soften the Tortillas
You can:
- Warm them in a skillet,
- Steam them, or
- Microwave with a damp towel for 30 seconds.
This keeps them from cracking when you roll them.
4. Assemble
- Spread a thin layer of the green sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Take each tortilla and fill with:
- chile strips
- cheese mixture
- Roll and place seam-side down in the dish.
5. Pour & Bake
- Pour the remaining green sauce over the enchiladas.
- Top with extra cheese.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve
Top with:
- sour cream
- cilantro
- chopped onions
- more queso fresco
- avocado slices (optional)
✨ Variations
- Add chicken: mix in shredded chicken with the cheese.
- Spicy version: use Hatch green chiles or add jalapeños.
- Creamier version: replace ½ cup milk with Mexican crema.
- Vegetarian boost: add sautéed zucchini or corn.
If you want, I can also give you a Tex-Mex style, low-carb, or authentic roasted poblano version!
