You didn’t think I’d come back from Mexico without a vacation-inspired recipe, did you? Roasted Poblano Salsa Chicken Enchiladas with Cucumber Pico de Gallo are fresh, fabulous, and such a great twist on regular chicken enchiladas with red sauce. I can’t wait for you to try them!
Walter, our chef at the villa we stayed at in Puerto Vallarta, made homemade fresh salsas for us to snack on with tortilla chips all week long – some hot, some mild, some green, some traditional – so I took a cue from him and made my own roasted poblano salsa to act as the sauce for these cheesy, totally addicting enchiladas. Vine-ripened tomatoes, onion, poblano pepper, and garlic are roasted then blended with cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to create a simple homemade salsa that you’re going to flip for – plus it can be made ahead of time, too. The salsa smothers corn tortillas wrapped with sauted chicken and shredded Queso Quesadilla cheese then the whole thing is baked until bubbly and topped with fresh Cucumber Pico de Gallo. Yes, cucumber pico de gallo! Traditional pico de gallo is an uncooked salsa made with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper, but Walter made his with fresh cucumber thrown into the mix and the cooling crunch is genius. Each creamy, cheesy bite topped with fresh and snappy pico is better than the next. Let’s do this!
Start by making the Roasted Poblano Salsa, which features a poblano pepper. Poblano peppers are typically used for Chile Rellenos and are delicious once lightly roasted and slightly charred. You can find poblano peppers by the jalapeno peppers at the grocery store and as I mentioned, they aren’t spicy – just a little warming.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees then line a baking sheet with nonstick sprayed foil and rub 1 poblano pepper, 4 vine-ripened tomatoes and 1 small onion peeled then cut in half with just a little bit of extra virgin olive oil. Slice the top quarter off a head of garlic, place it in a piece of foil, then drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil and close the foil up to create a little pouch.
Roast the entire pan for 20 minutes, flipping everything but the garlic over half way through, then turn the heat down to 350 degrees.
Once cool enough to handle, transfer the onion and tomatoes to a food processor or blender then squeeze the head of garlic to remove 7 cloves (they should slide right out.) Remove the stem from the poblano pepper plus any excess seeds (there shouldn’t be too many,) then add the juice of 1 lime, 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro, 1 Tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Process the salsa until smooth then taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Salsa = done! So easy, right? Set the salsa aside, or stash in the fridge for up to 5 days before using.
Next, saute 1lb chicken breasts that have been seasoned with garlic salt and pepper until cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly then shred or chop. Meanwhile, shred 8oz Queso Quesadilla.
Enchilada assembly time! You’ll need 8 corn tortillas (I like Mission’s yellow corn tortillas). Microwave half the tortillas in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds then add a scoop of chicken, a spoonful of salsa, and about a Tablespoon shredded Queso Quesadilla to the center of each tortilla. Roll then place seam side down in a nonstick sprayed baking dish.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients then spoon the salsa generously on top of the tortillas, making sure every inch is covered (FYI you’ll have extra salsa – grab some chips!) Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
Cover the pan tightly with a piece of foil that’s been generously sprayed with nonstick spray then bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil then bake for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is totally melted.
While the enchiladas are baking, chop up the quick Cucumber Pico de Gallo. That’s just 2 chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, 1/2 chopped cucumber, 1/2 chopped small onion, 1/2 minced jalapeno, 1/4 cup cilantro, the juice of 1 lime, salt, and pepper. Scoop over the hot and cheesy enchiladas, then devour!
Enchiladas were one my favorite things to order from Mexican restaurants pre-CD, but since most enchilada sauces are made with all-purpose flour as thickeners I haven’t eaten them in ages. Since this version swaps regular enchilada sauce for fresh, homemade salsa, I can eat and enjoy until my gluten-free heart’s content. Hope you love them as much as we did!
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