Air-Fried Chicken Enchiladas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken enchiladas are a delicious Mexican dish that can be cooked in an air fryer. The recipe involves making a filling of shredded chicken, refried beans, cheese, enchilada sauce, and seasoning. This is then rolled up in tortillas and cooked in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. The dish can be served with toppings such as sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.

How to cook chicken enchiladas in an air fryer

Making the filling

To make the filling for chicken enchiladas in an air fryer, start by placing a skillet over medium heat and adding olive oil. Heat the oil until it's hot, then add onions and bell pepper, sauteing until soft and translucent. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Next, stir in shredded chicken, cumin, and chilli powder. Cook for about 1 minute, then add refried beans and enchilada sauce, stirring to combine. You can also add cheese to the filling, but you can save some to sprinkle on top of the enchiladas before air frying.

Assembling the enchiladas

To assemble the enchiladas, start by spreading a thin layer of enchilada sauce on a baking sheet that fits your air fryer basket. Next, distribute the chicken-bean mixture evenly among the tortillas, adding shredded cheese to each. Fold in the sides of the tortillas and roll them up tightly. Place the rolled-up tortillas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet until you have used up all the filling. Once the pan is full, pour the remaining sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. You can also add sliced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, or cilantro as optional toppings.

For the filling, heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers, sauteing until soft and translucent. Then, add garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Stir in shredded chicken, cumin, and chili powder, and cook for about 1 minute. Finally, add refried beans and enchilada sauce, stirring to combine.

If you are using chicken breasts, it is recommended to slice each breast horizontally to make 4 thinner pieces. This will help them cook more evenly. Place one hand on top of the chicken to hold it in place, and carefully slice through with a knife.

Once your enchiladas are assembled, carefully place the baking sheet in the air fryer basket and air fry uncovered for 10-15 minutes at 360°F/180°C, or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla edges are crispy. You can also cook them at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes for a crispier result.

Air frying

To make chicken enchiladas in an air fryer, you'll first need to make the filling. Place a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, and heat until hot. Add onions and bell pepper, sauteing until soft and translucent. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Next, stir in shredded chicken, cumin, and chilli powder. Cook for about 1 minute, then add refried beans and enchilada sauce, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes until well combined and warmed through.

Next, assemble the enchiladas. Spread about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce on a baking sheet (that will fit the air fryer basket). Distribute the chicken-bean mixture evenly among the tortillas, add shredded cheese, then fold in the sides and roll them up tightly. Place the rolled-up tortillas in the prepared baking pan in a single layer. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Finally, air fry the enchiladas. Carefully place the baking sheet in the air fryer basket and air fry uncovered for 10-15 minutes at 360F/180C or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy at the edges. You can also cook at 400F for 6-8 minutes.

You can make the enchiladas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When serving, top with cilantro, green onions, sour cream, and/or your favourite Mexican toppings.

Toppings

Once your chicken enchiladas are cooked, it's time to add the toppings. You can use the remaining cheese from the filling to sprinkle on top of the enchiladas. You can also add sliced tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, cilantro, green onions, or your favourite Mexican toppings.

Storing

To store your chicken enchiladas, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, place the enchiladas in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

If you have leftover enchilada filling, you can store that separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

For the best results, it is recommended to store the enchiladas and filling separately. That way, you can reheat the filling and assemble fresh enchiladas when you're ready to eat them. This will help keep the tortillas crispy and prevent them from getting soggy.

If you want to freeze your enchiladas, it's best to do so before cooking them. Assemble the enchiladas and place them in a freezer-safe container, separating each layer with parchment paper. To cook, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place the frozen enchiladas in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Frequently asked questions