Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas are a fun twist on a traditional enchilada. The honey lime marinade gives the chicken a unique and delicious flavor.
Enchiladas are my favorite Mexican dish, I have loved them ever since I was a little girl. My mom use to make her red enchilada sauce from scratch and my favorite filling was cheese and black olives. I loved to find those black olives hiding in the middle of my enchilada. You can find my recipe for red sauce enchiladas here. Enchiladas are pure comfort food for me. Whenever we go out for Mexican food I always order the enchiladas.
Today’s recipe for Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas is a fun twist on that traditional enchilada made with red sauce. This recipe is a quick and easy dinner recipe and a great use for leftover shredded chicken. The sweetness of the honey balances out the tartness of the lime juice for a delicious combination. I love that this recipe doesn’t use any cream like many other recipes for honey lime chicken enchiladas as I am not a fan of cream sauces. I used a mild green enchilada sauce straight out of the can.
If you don’t have leftover shredded chicken in the fridge be sure and check out my posts on how to make it in the slow cooker, the Instant Pot, or in the microwave.
Honey Lime Chicken
The most important step to making the honey lime chicken enchiladas, is marinading the chicken. Mix honey, lime juice, chili powder and garlic powder together and add the shredded chicken. Cover the chicken and refrigerate. Allow the cooked chicken to sit in the honey lime marinade for at least 30 minutes, but if you can make it the night before and let is sit in the fridge overnight, the flavor will be that much better!
Can Enchiladas be Made with Corn or Flour Tortillas?
The answer is definitely both and it is mainly a matter of taste. I personally prefer a corn tortilla as I think they give the enchilada more flavor than a flour tortilla but both will work. I like to quick fry my corn tortillas in a little oil before assembling the enchiladas. This helps keep the tortilla from getting too soggy. No one likes a soggy enchilada and I think it also gives the enchilada more flavor. I quick fry the corn tortilla for about 10 seconds on both sides in a few tablespoons of hot oil and then blot the tortilla between a layer of paper towels. I don’t do this with flour tortillas as they tend to be more substantial and not fall apart or get soggy as easily.
How do I Make Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas?
- Pour your enchilada sauce into a pie plate or a shallow bowl.
- After quick frying the tortillas (see above) I dip both sides of the tortilla into the enchilada sauce and then place it into the baking dish. Place a generous spoonful of the honey lime chicken and some cheese into the center of the tortilla.
- Roll up the enchilada and repeat until your pan is full.
- Pour more enchilada sauce over the top of the rolled enchiladas before baking but not too much. You want them covered in sauce but not swimming in it. Too much sauce will make the enchiladas soggy. You can always add additional sauce after they bake, before serving, if you think they are a little dry.
- Sprinkle generously with more cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
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Honey Lime Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp honey
- 5 Tbsp fresh lime juice 1-2 limes
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 chicken breasts shredded
- 8-10 tortillas corn or flour
- 1 lb Mexican blend cheese monterey jack, colby, cheddar, shredded
- 20 oz green enchilada sauce
Instructions
- Mix the honey, lime juice, chili powder and garlic powder together with the shredded chicken. Allow it to sit for at least 1/2 hour or you could do it hours before and just cover and refrigerate
- If using corn tortillas, quick fry them in a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Fry on each side for about ten minutes just until the edges begin to brown. Blog between layers of paper towels.
- Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce into bottom of baking dish.
- Dip tortilla into enchilada sauce coating both sides and place flat into baking dish.
- Place a spoonful of chicken and cheese into middle of a tortilla and roll up. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat until pan is full.
- Pour enchilada sauce over the top of rolled enchiladas, just enough to coat the enchiladas. You don't want them swimming in sauce. (reserve a little bit to add after they are baked)
- Reserve about 1-2 cups of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20- 25 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly and heated through.
Nutrition
Originally posted Oct. 16, 2009
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Deena Boos
October 16, 2009 at 5:32 amThis sounds fabulous! My husband can’t have dairy. Do you think this recipe would taste good without the cheese? I have not found a cheese substitute I like yet. Although this is my first time commenting, I have been enjoying your blog for a couple months now! Thanks!
Leigh Anne
October 16, 2009 at 6:17 amDeena,
The meat is very flavorful so I think you could do it without cheese, just add some extra sauce so they aren’t too dry.
Amber Wadsworth
October 16, 2009 at 8:10 amFor anyone that is hesitant to try a new “twist” on enchiladas you must not pass this one by. I have made it several times for my family and it is DELISH. The meat has the perfect combination of pure yumminess. Give it a try. It will not disappoint ;o)
Kim Tomkinson
October 16, 2009 at 8:27 amYay! Thanks for a non-sour cream version of enchiladas. I really don’t like sour cream although my family does and so I usually make them that way. These will be on the menu soon just because I know I’ll like them.
Courtney
October 16, 2009 at 3:04 pmThis looks fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing. I have enjoyed reading your blog and have been inspired by many of your ideas. Keep ’em coming!
Cara
October 16, 2009 at 7:57 pmI’ve had these enchiladas before too. They are really yummy, and a nice change from the traditional chicken or cheese enchiladas.
Taylor
October 17, 2009 at 1:00 pmLooks yummy! I will try it, thanks!
Diana @ The Girl Creative
October 18, 2009 at 6:02 pmI just found your site and immediately added it to my blogroll. I can’t wait to try your Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica recipe. Looks delicious!
Erin
October 18, 2009 at 7:34 pmYUM! I am trying to put together my menu for the week and I am definetely putting these on there!!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
October 19, 2009 at 6:48 amI guess I’m the only one in the blogosphere who hasn’t made these (or even seen them yet!) Will definitely bookmark them. You did a great job of getting a nice photo of tough-to-photograph enchiladas 🙂
Taryn
October 19, 2009 at 1:25 pmI haven’t heard of these either- but yum!
Zupan's Markets
October 19, 2009 at 4:14 pmLoving the sweet and savory flavor combination and the fresh hint of lime! These enchiladas would be a fantastic quick meal to satisfy an on-the-go family with a delicious and healthful dinner!
lorene h
October 20, 2009 at 6:56 amLOVE this recipe!!!! we tried it last night. will absolutely make it again.
thanks for sharing…
Lorene
Nancy
October 25, 2009 at 4:19 pmMade them for dinner tonight. Only change was instead of Enchilada sauce “didn’t see it at the store” we substituted salsa!
DELICIOUS!!!!! Leftovers tomorrow night!!!
Christy
January 4, 2010 at 4:48 pmI made this recipe & the flavor was wonderful! But, the bottom of each enchilada was “gummy”. Did this happen to you? Any ideas on how to make them less gummy. Maybe omit the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish?
jenny
January 18, 2010 at 9:18 amI made these last night and LOVED them! Followed the recipe exactly on one pan and the second pan I did vegetarian by substituting drained canned pinto beans for the chicken. (I am the vegetarian) Only problem was that my husband said the tortilla was a bit soggy/doughy, next time I will use a slotted spoon when removing the chicken from the marinade mixture, or more chicken so that there is a lot less marinade juice left. THANK YOU Leigh Ann!! I can’t wait to have the leftovers for lunch! These will be on our dinner rotation!
Shanna
April 29, 2010 at 6:25 amDo you think these will freeze well? I love this recipe and my mother is coming to watch the kids and i am trying to freeze some meals for her to make it easier. 🙂
Leigh Anne
April 29, 2010 at 6:31 amShanna,
I have frozen it before and it works fine! The tortillas fall apart a little bit but still tastes great
judy lyon
April 29, 2010 at 1:43 pmWell, I’m “Mom” who gave the recipe to your friend. I too happen to be allergic to milk. Although I cheat all the time, particularly when it comes to cheese, I have found a good substitute for that mellow salty flavor in mexican recipes. It’s black olives. I hope you like them because I believe they will add the flavor you’ll be missing without cheese. In fact, next time I make this recipe, I’m going to skip the cheese like a good girl and use olives.
By the way, I got this great recipe from my neice! Her daughter can’t have milk either and she has the enchiladas without it.
Well, Hope this helps!
judy lyon
April 29, 2010 at 1:46 pmOops, more. My other daughter makes these up, bakes them, and freezes them in portions to take to work. I’d rather make up a bunch of the chicken and freeze it. Then I roll the enchiladas easily when time to eat. The meat is also good for stuffed enchilada burritos.