Monster Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas: A Deliciously Spooky Feast!
Are you looking for a fun, flavorful, and slightly spooky meal to impress your family and friends? Look no further than these Monster Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas! This recipe takes the classic comfort food of chicken enchiladas and gives it a monstrously delicious twist with a vibrant green sour cream sauce, playful decorations, and a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Perfect for Halloween, a themed party, or just a fun weeknight dinner, these enchiladas are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
## Why You’ll Love These Monster Enchiladas
* **Eye-Catching Appearance:** The green sour cream sauce instantly transforms ordinary enchiladas into something special and festive. The optional monster decorations take it to the next level, making it a visually appealing dish that kids and adults alike will adore.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of tender chicken, savory spices, creamy sour cream sauce, and melted cheese creates a symphony of flavors that’s both comforting and exciting.
* **Versatile and Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by using different types of fillings, cheeses, or spices. You can also adjust the spiciness level to suit your preferences.
* **Great for Leftovers:** These enchiladas taste just as good, if not better, the next day, making them perfect for meal prepping or a quick and easy lunch.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
**For the Chicken Filling:**
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
* 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut)
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
* Salt and pepper to taste
**For the Green Sour Cream Sauce:**
* 16 ounces sour cream
* 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
* 1/2 cup green salsa (such as tomatillo salsa)
* 1/4 cup lime juice
* 1 clove garlic
* 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* A few drops of green food coloring (optional, for a more vibrant green)
**For Assembly:**
* 10-12 corn tortillas
* 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, or your favorite cheese blend
* Optional: Black olives, pimientos, green onions, or other toppings for monster decorations
## Step-by-Step Instructions
### 1. Prepare the Chicken Filling:
* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
* Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
* Add the shredded chicken and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
* Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced slightly and the chicken is heated through.
* Stir in the chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
### 2. Make the Green Sour Cream Sauce:
* In a blender or food processor, combine the sour cream, cilantro, green salsa, lime juice, garlic, and salt.
* Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
* If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve a more vibrant green color.
* Pour the sauce into a bowl and set aside.
### 3. Assemble the Enchiladas:
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
* To soften the corn tortillas, you can either:
* Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
* Quickly dip each tortilla in warm oil in a skillet.
* Dip each tortilla in the green sour cream sauce, coating both sides.
* Place a spoonful of the chicken filling down the center of the tortilla.
* Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
* Roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
* Repeat with the remaining tortillas, filling, and cheese.
### 4. Bake the Enchiladas:
* Pour the remaining green sour cream sauce over the enchiladas, spreading it evenly.
* Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese.
* Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the enchiladas are heated through.
### 5. Decorate (Optional):
* Get creative with your monster decorations! Use black olives to create eyes, pimientos for mouths, and green onions for hair. You can also use other toppings like sour cream dollops or salsa for extra flair.
### 6. Serve and Enjoy!
* Carefully remove the enchiladas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
* Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
* Serve warm and enjoy!
## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Monster Enchiladas
* **Don’t overfill the tortillas:** Overfilling can make them difficult to roll and they may burst open during baking.
* **Warm the tortillas:** Warming the tortillas before rolling makes them more pliable and less likely to crack.
* **Use a good quality cheese:** The cheese is a key ingredient in enchiladas, so choose a good quality cheese that melts well.
* **Adjust the spiciness to your liking:** If you prefer a milder flavor, omit the cayenne pepper or use a milder salsa.
* **Make it ahead of time:** You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the final layer of sauce and cheese just before baking.
* **Freeze for later:** Baked enchiladas freeze very well. Let them cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Use different fillings:** Instead of chicken, try using ground beef, shredded pork, black beans, or vegetables.
* **Experiment with different cheeses:** Monterey Jack, cheddar, pepper jack, and Oaxaca cheese are all great options.
* **Add different vegetables:** Corn, bell peppers, and zucchini can be added to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
* **Make it vegetarian:** Substitute the chicken with black beans, pinto beans, or a mixture of vegetables.
* **Use different tortillas:** While corn tortillas are traditional, you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer.
* **Spicy Monster Enchiladas:** Add a can of diced green chilies to the chicken mixture, or use a spicier salsa verde in the sour cream sauce.
* **Healthy Monster Enchiladas:** Use low-fat sour cream and cheese. Substitute Greek yogurt for some of the sour cream. Use whole wheat tortillas, and load up on vegetables in the filling.
## Serving Suggestions
* Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans.
* Garnish with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and chopped cilantro.
* Offer a variety of toppings so guests can customize their enchiladas.
* Pair with a refreshing margarita or other Mexican-inspired beverage.
* Consider serving a simple salad alongside for a lighter meal.
## Making Monster Decorations
This is where the fun really begins! Let your creativity run wild when decorating your Monster Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas. Here are some ideas:
* **Eyes:** Sliced black olives are classic, but you can also use small circles of cheese (Monterey Jack or provolone work well) with a dot of black olive paste or a tiny piece of black olive for the pupil. Pimiento-stuffed green olives add a fun pop of color.
* **Mouths:** Thin strips of pimiento or roasted red bell pepper make excellent mouths. You can also cut jagged or smiling mouths out of cheese slices using a small knife or cookie cutter.
* **Hair:** Thinly sliced green onions or scallions create wild and spiky hair. You can also use shredded lettuce or even a few strands of cooked spaghetti dyed green with food coloring (rinse well after dyeing).
* **Horns:** Use small triangles of tortilla chips or cheese for horns. You can also use pretzel sticks.
* **Scars:** Create scars using a zigzag pattern of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce (be careful with the hot sauce if serving to children).
* **Teeth:** Tiny triangles of cheese or even slivered almonds can be used for teeth.
* **Other Decorations:** Consider using dollops of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa to create interesting textures and patterns. You can also sprinkle with chopped cilantro or a dusting of chili powder.
**Tips for Decorating:**
* **Involve the Kids:** This is a great activity to do with children. Let them use their imaginations to create their own unique monster designs.
* **Prepare the Decorations Ahead of Time:** Cut out your cheese shapes, slice your olives, and chop your green onions before you start assembling the enchiladas. This will make the decorating process smoother.
* **Use a Piping Bag or Ziplock Bag:** For precise application of sour cream or other sauces, use a piping bag fitted with a small tip or a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off.
* **Don’t Overdo It:** A few well-placed decorations can be more effective than covering the entire enchilada in toppings.
* **Have Fun!** The most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity shine.
## Printable Recipe Card
**Monster Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas**
**Prep time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 25 minutes
**Total time:** 55 minutes
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Ingredients:**
* **Chicken Filling:**
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
* 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
* Salt and pepper to taste
* **Green Sour Cream Sauce:**
* 16 ounces sour cream
* 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
* 1/2 cup green salsa (tomatillo salsa)
* 1/4 cup lime juice
* 1 clove garlic
* 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* A few drops of green food coloring (optional)
* **Assembly:**
* 10-12 corn tortillas
* 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* Optional: Black olives, pimientos, green onions, etc. for decorations
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken Filling:** Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in spices and cook for 30 seconds. Add shredded chicken and broth. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
2. **Make the Green Sour Cream Sauce:** Blend sour cream, cilantro, green salsa, lime juice, garlic, and salt until smooth. Add green food coloring if desired.
3. **Assemble the Enchiladas:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish. Soften tortillas. Dip each tortilla in green sauce. Place chicken filling down the center, sprinkle with cheese, and roll up. Place seam-side down in the baking dish.
4. **Bake the Enchiladas:** Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas, sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. **Decorate (Optional):** Add monster decorations like olives for eyes, pimientos for mouths, and green onions for hair.
6. **Serve and Enjoy:** Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
## Conclusion
These Monster Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas are a fun and delicious way to add a little bit of spooky flair to your next meal. With their vibrant green sauce, customizable fillings, and playful decorations, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. So gather your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and get ready to create a monstrously delicious feast!