Oct 06, 2022, Updated Sep 23, 2024
Why You’re going to Love This Crockpot Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Recipe:
Firstly, I just love a savoury pumpkin recipe, don’t you? The earthy, slightly sweet pumpkin can be used anywhere you would use butternut squash or sweet potato. In this recipe, the pumpkin’s sweetness is offset by warm spices and rich sour cream for a perfectly-balanced bite. The slow cooker concentrates the yummy flavours with the simmered-all-day effect. The result is tender, delicious chicken enchiladas smothered in spicy pumpkin sauce and cheese. So comforting and tasty.
Why This Recipe Works
Making Chicken Enchiladas in the Crockpot™ slow cooker is such a great dinner hack. It’s so easy. Prep them in advance for a set-it-and-forget it dinner later in the day. Here’s what this cozy fall recipe offers:
The flavour is incredible. I love how the slow cooker slowly simmers the rich browned chicken flavour into the sauce. The flour tortillas are cooked perfectly soft with the super low heat. Cook them for 3 1/2 – 4 hours and they’re perfect (although they are still great after a couple of hours on WARM). The cheese melts into the sour cream to create a rich layer of stretchy deliciousness. No oven-browning needed, and I love that the cheese and sauce never risk drying out. Portability. Great for potlucks using the warming setting, just bring the whole thing with you!
I made this recipe in partnership with Crockpot™ using my 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. With a family-sized 4-quart capacity, you can easily fit 6 enchiladas. It’s got programmed cooking times up to 20 hours, HIGH or LOW cook settings, and a WARM function. Make dinner while you’re out of the house with this super-convenient appliance.
What are These Chicken Enchiladas Made Of?
Ground chicken: seasoned with savoury onion. If you can find ground chicken thighs, use that for best flavour. Feel free to swap in ground turkey or ground beef. Pumpkin puree: you can use canned 100% pure pumpkin, or roast and puree pumpkin yourself (and here’s how to freeze leftover pumpkin puree). Aromatics: garlic, onions and chiles. Spices: cumin, chipotle powder and a dash of cloves. (Swap chili powder for the chipotle if you don’t like the smoky taste.) Tortillas: flour tortillas are my go-to to have on hand but you could use corn tortillas instead, making this recipe gluten free. Sour cream: or swap in the 10%+ fat Greek yogurt. A lower-fat Greek yogurt may break with the heat. Cheese: aged cheddar cheese adds lots of sharp flavour and Montarey Jack adds melty texture and mild nuttiness.
How to Make Chicken Enchiladas in the Slow Cooker:
Cook the chicken and set aside Prep sauce in the same pot Wrap tortillas with the chicken, a bit of sauce and cheese. Layer the enchiladas with sauce in your Crockpot™ Slow Cooker Top with sour cream and more cheese Set the cook time and walk away
What to Serve This With:
Need a side? Here are some great options:
A simple tossed green salad Assorted fresh veggies like romaine lettuce, sliced radishes, chopped tomatoes, red onion and avocado crema Garnishes like black olives, green chilies and fresh limes For a party, set out a bowl of this ridiculously-good, easy guacamole and or salsa verde with chips on the side
Other recipes you’ll love:
Slow Cooker Lasagna Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Ultimate From-Scratch Ground Beef Tacos
