Authentic Green Enchiladas
INGREDIENTS
  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 6 cups of water
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 white onion cut in half
  • 3 sprigs parsley
  • salt
  • 2 carrots cut into large pieces
  • 6 or so jalepeos slices (I use the kind in a jar that they sell for using on nachos)
  • 1 large can (32 oz?) green tomatillos
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cillantro
  • 2 cups shredded mozzerella or monterrey jack cheese
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder, divided
  • 2-3 Tbsp oil
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • Optional Ingredients
  • 1 bunch of green onions (chopped)
  • 1 8 oz container sourcream
  • 1 8oz. jar salsa
  • 1 head of boston lettuce, shredded
DIRECTIONS
  1. Place chicken, water, 1/4 onions, parsley, carrot and a dash of salt in a medium pot or saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer until chicken is tender and cooked thouroughly (about 20 minutes).
  2. Remove chicken (save the stock) and allow to cool a few minutes. Remove skin and shred.
  3. 3Add 2 cloves of garlic, jalepeo slices and 1 tsp chili powder to another medium saucepan or boiling water.
  4. Open the can of tomatillos, drain and rince in a collander. Add to boiling water and cook 8 minutes.
  5. Turn on over to preheat to 350 degrees.
  6. Drain off water and add contents of pot to a blender with the other onion quarter. Puree until smooth.
  7. Add the cilantro and process another 15 seconds. Add 1 cup of the reserved chicken stock and blend for another 10 seconds.
  8. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a medium skillet. Add contents of blender and sautee. Add 1 tsp salt and rest of chile powder to taste. Simmer 8-10 minues. If sauce is too thick, add more chicken stock until desired consistency is reached. Turn off burner or set aside.
  9. If using store-bought tortillas, heat rest of oil in a small skillet and fry until they begin to soften (about 10 seconds on each side). This step is not necessary if you are using freshly prepared homemade tortillas.
  10. One-at-a-time, immerse tortillas in warm sauce and transfer to baking dish (I use the Pampered Chef Square Baker). Place some chicken and cheese in the center of tortilla; roll up and place seamside-down in dish.
  11. After dipping and filling each tortilla, spoon warm sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with rest of cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted. (Do not drown enchiladas in sauce. If you have left over sauce, pour into a freezer bag to reuse later...simply defrost in the microwave and heat in a skillet)
  12. To serve enchiladas, arrange shredded lettuce on a plate, add one or two enchiladas. Place a line of salsa across the side of enchiladas. Top with a large dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions.
  13. Makes 12 enchiladas or 4-6 servings.
RECIPE BACKSTORY
These are best with homemade tortillas (see my recipie for homemade corn tortillas) but store-bought work well, too. If there are any left (unlikely) they make great leftovers.