RecipesMexicoEnchiladas Suizas

Enchiladas Suizas

Authentic Enchiladas Suizas, a classic Mexican dish featuring tender chicken-filled corn tortillas bathed in a rich, creamy tomatillo sauce and topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese. This recipe is inspired by the original Sanborns recipe.

Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium

🧂 Ingredients

  • 12 Corn tortillas(About 6-inch diameter)
  • 400 g Cooked shredded chicken(Rotisserie chicken or poached chicken breast works well)
  • 500 g Tomatillos(Husks removed and rinsed)
  • 2 Serrano chilies(Adjust to your spice preference. Remove seeds and membranes for less heat.)
  • 240 ml Heavy cream(Also known as whipping cream)
  • 200 g Monterey Jack cheese(Shredded)
  • 1/2 Yellow onion(Medium size, roughly chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic(Peeled)
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or lard(For lightly frying tortillas)
  • to taste Salt
  • for serving Mexican crema or sour cream(Optional, for drizzling)
  • for garnish Fresh cilantro(Optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the tomatillo sauce: Place the husked and rinsed tomatillos and serrano chilies in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatillos have softened and changed color to a dull green. Drain the tomatillos and chilies, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. In a blender, combine the cooked tomatillos, chilies, chopped onion, peeled garlic cloves, and heavy cream. Blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved cooking liquid until desired consistency is reached. For a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.

    ⏱️ 20 minutes
  2. 2

    Warm and soften tortillas: Heat the vegetable oil or lard in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working one at a time, quickly dip each corn tortilla into the hot oil for about 10-15 seconds per side, just until softened and pliable but not crisp. This prevents them from breaking when rolled. Drain on paper towels.

    ⏱️ 10 minutes
  3. 3

    Assemble the enchiladas: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread a thin layer of the tomatillo sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Take a softened tortilla, place about 2-3 tablespoons of shredded chicken in the center, and roll it up. Place the rolled enchilada seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and chicken, arranging them snugly in the dish.

    ⏱️ 10 minutes
  4. 4

    Sauce and bake: Pour the remaining tomatillo sauce evenly over the rolled enchiladas, ensuring they are well-covered. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

    ⏱️ 25 minutes
  5. 5

    Serve: Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. Drizzle with Mexican crema or sour cream, if desired, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

    ⏱️ 5 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the serrano chilies before boiling.
  • Ensure the tomatillos are ripe (firm with a bright green color) for the best flavor.
  • Don't over-fry the tortillas; they should be soft and pliable, not crispy.
  • The name 'Suizas' (Swiss) is often attributed to the creamy sauce, reminiscent of dairy products from Switzerland, and the dish's popularity at Sanborns, a Mexico City department store with Swiss origins.

🔄 Variations

  • For a spicier kick, use jalapeño or poblano peppers instead of or in addition to serrano chilies.
  • Make it vegetarian by substituting the chicken with a mixture of black beans, corn, and sautéed mushrooms.
  • Add a pinch of cumin to the tomatillo sauce for an earthier flavor profile.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving

Caloriesapprox. 480 per serving
Protein32g
Carbs38g
Fat24g
Fiber4g

🏷️ Tags

Enchiladas Suizas Recipe - Mexico | world.food