Craving Mexican food but trying to stick to a keto or low-carb diet? Look no further than these creamy keto white chicken enchiladas! This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make, especially on busy weeknights. By utilizing a few shortcuts like pre-cooked chicken and store-bought low-carb tortillas, you can have a satisfying and flavorful meal on the table in no time.
Why You'll Love These Keto Enchiladas
These enchiladas are a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite Mexican flavors without the guilt. What makes them so great?
- Low Carb: Perfect for those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle.
- Easy to Make: Utilizing shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and pre-made tortillas simplifies the cooking process.
- Flavorful: The combination of tender chicken, tangy green chile salsa, and creamy white sauce creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to your preferences with different cheese, spice levels, and toppings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them in advance and bake when ready, or freeze for future enjoyment.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients for these keto white chicken enchiladas:
For the Chicken Filling:
- Cooked Chicken: 2 cups of shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is a great option). If using raw chicken, about 1 1/2 pounds cubed boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be cooked in a skillet with cooking oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, until no longer pink in the center.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a depth of flavor to the chicken filling.
- Lime Juice: Provides a tangy kick.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: For savory flavor.
- Salt & Cayenne Pepper: To taste.
- Shredded Cheese: 1 cup, such as pepper jack or Monterey Jack.
- Green Salsa: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. Verde salsa is recommended. You can substitute with a can of diced green chiles.
For the White Sauce:
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Arrowroot Powder: To thicken the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce.
- Yogurt: Creates a creamy texture and adds tanginess.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Enhances the savory flavor.
- Salt: To taste.
Other Essentials:
- Keto Tortillas: Choose your favorite brand of low-carb tortillas. Mr. Tortilla, La Tortilla Factory Low Carb Flour Tortillas, and Mission Carb Balance Tortillas are popular choices.
- Shredded Cheese: 1 cup, for topping (Fiesta blend is a good option).
- Jalapenos: Sliced, for topping (optional, for added spice).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own keto white chicken enchiladas:
1. Prepare the Chicken Filling:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, tomato paste, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add 1 cup of shredded cheese and green salsa to the chicken mixture. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
2. Assemble the Enchiladas:
- Scoop a portion of the chicken filling and place it in the center of a keto tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla and place it seam-down in a casserole dish.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them snugly in the dish.
3. Make the White Sauce:
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in arrowroot powder and cook until thickened.
- Slowly stir in chicken broth, continuing to heat until the mixture thickens.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir until the sauce is smooth.
- Remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Bake the Enchiladas:
- Pour the white sauce evenly over the assembled enchiladas.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese and scatter jalapenos (if using) over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
- Let the enchiladas cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, fresh cilantro, or green onions.
Tips and Variations
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken filling or white sauce for extra heat. Use hot green chiles or add sliced jalapenos instead of medium green chiles.
- Cheese variations: Experiment with different cheese blends, such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend.
- Vegetarian option: Substitute the chicken with cooked vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the enchiladas ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, freeze the assembled enchiladas for up to 3 months.
- Cooling the Sauce: For make-ahead preparation, let the sauce cool to room temperature before assembling the enchiladas. Once cooled, fill and roll the enchiladas, then cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.
- Freezing the Enchiladas: For freezing, cover the pan with a double layer of foil and place it in a large resealable freezer bag.
Serving Suggestions
These keto white chicken enchiladas are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of side dishes:
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- Low Carb tortilla chips with homemade restaurant-style salsa.
- Low Carb Queso.
- Homemade guacamole.
- Cauliflower rice.
- A fresh salad with a light vinaigrette.
- For a festive touch, try a white claw slushi, sugar-free slushie, or a low carb margarita.
Choosing Keto-Friendly Tortillas
Selecting the right tortillas is crucial for keeping this dish keto-friendly. Look for low-carb tortillas made with ingredients like oat fiber, wheat protein isolate, and modified food starch. Be sure to check the nutrition information and aim for tortillas with a low net carb count (around 3-5 grams per tortilla).
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerating: Allow leftover enchiladas to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze individual portions of enchiladas in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave. To prevent the enchiladas from becoming soggy, consider freezing the sauce separately from the rolled enchiladas.
Addressing Common Questions
- What can I use in place of verde enchilada sauce? You can substitute with a can of diced green chiles.
- What size of tortillas should I use? You can use any size of keto tortillas. If you are using small tortillas, you will need more of them.
- What can I use in place of tomato paste? If you don't have tomato paste, try using tomato sauce. Ketchup might make a suitable replacement as well.
- Are enchiladas keto? Generally speaking, enchiladas aren't really all that keto friendly. However, you can easily make keto-friendly enchiladas by using specialty low carb, high fiber tortillas.
- Are corn tortillas keto friendly? Unfortunately, no. A single corn tortilla has around 10 grams of carbs. Traditionally, enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, but if you're willing to use a low-carb, high fiber flour tortilla option you can make a very delicious, keto version of traditional enchiladas.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for these keto white chicken enchiladas will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. However, each enchilada contains approximately 10 net carbs, making them a great option for those following a ketogenic diet.
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