Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

My husband and I have both endured a few minor “heart hiccups” lately. Thankfully, neither of us were diagnosed with anything serious and my husband’s “hiccup” was actually corrected. Other than the fact that we both need to drop some weight, our hearts are pretty healthy for now. We want to keep it that way so this week, I decided to try out a few heart-healthy recipes. Last night, we enjoyed Kid-Friendly Chicken Enchiladas with Black Beans and Corn. The original recipe is approved by the American Heart Association. I made a few changes due to availability of some of the ingredients, but for the most part, this recipe for chicken enchiladas is the same.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (formerly Mom Is Forever)

Chicken Enchiladas

You will need:
1 lb. chicken breasts, sauteed and cooled
15.5 oz canned, low sodium black beans
10 oz package frozen whole kernel corn
15 1/4 oz canned, no salt added OR low sodium corn
3 tsp salt-free mild chili powder
12 taco sized whole wheat or corn tortillas
12 toothpicks
14.5 oz canned, no salt added OR low sodium tomato paste
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

Here is how I made our dinner:

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. The original recipe calls for sautéed chicken.  I boiled our chicken instead and then shredded it.

Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

 3. To the shredded chicken, add black beans.

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients

4.  Then, add corn.

Tip:  I drained our corn, but after completing the meal, I wish I hadn’t.  The chicken was good but I would have liked the filling a little more moist.  The next time I make this, I’m not going to drain the corn.  I think this will leave the filling less dry.

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients

5.  Add one teaspoon of chili powder.

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients

6.  Mix it all together.  This makes the enchilada filling.

Chicken Enchiladas Ingredients

7.  Spray a baking dish with Pam.  I used a clear, glass dish.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

 8.  Spoon out a desired amount of filling onto a soft tortilla.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

9.  Roll up the tortilla.  Hold it in place with a toothpick.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

10.  Place the desired amount of tortillas into the baking dish.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

11.  Spoon out any left over filling onto the tops of the tortillas.

After I did this, I removed the toothpicks.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

12.  In a separate bowl, pour in 2 teaspoons of chili powder.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

13.  Add tomato paste.

I opted for diced tomatoes instead.  After completing the meal, I realized that a can or two of Rotel would have been a good choice as well.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

14.  Add sour cream.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

 15.  Mix it all up.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

16.  Pour the mixture over the tortillas.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

17.  Bake at 400 degrees until warm.  I baked our enchiladas for 20 minutes.

Chicken Enchiladas Instructions

With the exception of one daughter who hates anything with corn in it, this was a success.  We will definitely have it again.  My husband carried some to work the next day for lunch.  He said it was good reheated too.

Tonight, we enjoyed homemade beef stew which will hopefully be the subject of my next recipe post.  Come back soon for that one!

Need a desert idea? Try this chocolate cobbler. It won't disappoint! 

Chocolate Cobbler Recipe