Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas are a quick and easy way to make a family (or crowd!) favorite! You can literally ‘set it and forget it!’.
Juicy shredded chicken & black beans are tossed with classic enchilada ingredients and layered or wrapped in corn tortillas. Everything is topped with cheese and homemade enchilada sauce and cooks in the slow cooker so dinner is ready when you are!
Serve these easy enchiladas with cilantro tomato rice or cilantro lime rice and your favorite taco inspired toppings!
Crock Pot Enchiladas take the usual enchiladas to a whole new level of convenience! Making enchiladas in a crock pot is as easy as any kind of enchiladas could be and serves up like your favorite enchilada casserole recipe!
How to Make Crock Pot Enchiladas
Prepping this recipe is super simple, especially when using leftover grilled chicken breast or a rotisserie chicken. Depending on the size of your crock pot you may need more or less layers, I use a 6-quart slow cooker and was able to fit 2 yummy layers in mine!
- Prep: Mix all the ingredients with just enough enchilada sauce to combine everything together.
- Roll: Scoop a bit of the chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla and roll. Place seam side down in the slow cooker (or crock pot).
- Layer: Layer the enchiladas with about a quarter of a cup of enchilada sauce and cheese then repeat!
Serve Casserole Style: These enchiladas may look like the regular, rolled chicken enchiladas, but this cut- and-scoop style is a casserole style enchilada for the ease of preparation and service. You can even skip the step of rolling the tortillas and layer your enchilada ingredients in the slow cooker similar to this beef casserole enchilada. The reason I roll them is because, believe it or not, the edges still get a little crisp on them!
Tips for Crock Pot Enchiladas
To Keep Corn Tortillas From Cracking they must be heated first. You can heat them wrapped in plastic wrap but I always heat them either on the grill or directly on my gas stove for a few seconds. If you don’t heat the corn tortillas they will crack as you roll them. You can use flour tortillas in this recipe. Keep in mind they do get soft.
To Save Time when making these, start with cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover baked chicken breasts. Instead of rolling, create lasagna style layers.
To Prevent Soggy Enchiladas: Once the enchiladas are rolled and placed in the slow cooker/crock pot, rest 2 layers of paper towels over the top before placing the lid on. The paper towels shouldn’t touch the enchiladas but will absorb a lot of moisture. This will help your crock pot chicken enchiladas from getting soggy!
Serve Like a Casserole
While this slow cooker recipe looks like typical rolled enchiladas, it can’t be served the same way and we serve it as a casserole using a large spoon. Simply scoop onto a plate and serve with your favorite toppings!
Enchilada Toppings: When ready to serve, we love topping our enchiladas with some fresh ingredients! You can top with any of your favorites, some we love are:
- Veggies: olives, sliced jalapeños, diced bell peppers, tomatoes, avocados or cilantro.
- Sauces: sour cream, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or salsa!
Set all these toppings in bowls on the table and create an enchilada station when serving a crowd or even just a fun family meal! Muy Bueno!
More Mexican Inspired Favorites
- Ground Beef Tacos – 30 minute meal!
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas – My personal favorite!!
- Easy Taco Salad – Weeknight go to, great to make ahead for lunches.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup – About 10 minute of prep.
- Shrimp Tacos – Stove top or grill.
- Chicken Tortilla Soup – No need to precook chicken, so easy.
Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup salsa
- 12 small flour tortillas 6-inch
- 4 ounces canned mild green chiles 1 can
- 15 ounces canned black beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 10 ounces enchilada sauce 1 can, divided
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend or your favorite blend
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a 6qt slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour ¼ cup enchilada sauce to cover bottom.
- Combine shredded chicken, salsa, corn, beans, chiles and about ½ cup of the enchilada sauce.
- Divide the chicken mixture over the tortillas (approx. ¼ cup each). Roll each tortilla and place seam side down in your slow cooker (I was able to fit 6 per layer) topping each layer with the remaining enchilada sauce.
- Top everything with cheese. Rest two layers of paper towel over the top of the slow cooker (so they are not touching the enchiladas) and cover with the lid.
- Cook on low 3-4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner
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Can I cook this in the oven instead? If so, on what temperature for how log?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure Sandy. If you try it, you could use this Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe for times and temperatures. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Turned out perfect!
Will make again for sure!
I don’t get the paper towel , it doesn’t cook and stick to the cheese?
It is resting on top of the cooker, it doesn’t touch the food.
Can I use other kinds of meat in this recipe. I hate chicken.
It would work with any other shredded meat too Shirley. Enjoy!
Can you freeze this dish and make it later in the crockpot?
I haven’t tried freezing it so I can’t say for sure.
Love the recipe. And tips.
Hi Holly,
Can you layer them? I have a small crock pot only 3 will fit :) . I’m looking forward to making these!
Yes, I layered mine.
Hey! I love slow cooker recipes and mexican food, so this is perfect! Have you tried reheating these the next day? If so, how were they and how did you reheat them?
I’ve reheated leftovers in the microwave before. They were great.
Is the enchilada sauce 2 x 10 ounce cans (20 ounces total) or 2 cans, totaling 10 ounces?
Thanks!
They are 10oz each (total 20oz). Enjoy!
The ingredients only state 1 10oz can????
This recipe has been updated for improved consistency (the original comment is from 2016).
My tortillas came out disgustingly soggy. Any idea why?
How long did you cook the recipe for? Was your sauce canned or homemade and what type of tortilla did you use? What size is your crock pot?
It’s hard to say as any of these could play a role in how the dish cooks.
dO I cook chicken beforehAnd?
Yes, the shredded chicken should be cooked.
The idea about slow cooker is very wonderful. Thanks to this idea I have change my point of view about cooking. This dishes looks very attractive. I will cook it at this weekend
I made these last night, and they were SO good! They went quick, I will most definitely be making this recipe again. It’s also really simple and requires little work, which is always nice!
I love your site and the enchilada recipe!! It was very yummy and the recipe worked well. Thank You
So glad you enjoyed it.
I am in love with this recipe!! I am totally going to make these this weekend!
It’s sooo good!
My tortillas came out mushy and soggy to where I had to try to empty the contents out so my family could actually eat dinner.
Oh no, how disappointing. Did you have paper towels across the top of the slow cooker to absorb moisture?