Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet Dinner

5 from 15 votes
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Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet turns the classic Tex Mex favorite into a 30-minute meal you can make on busy weeknights. No tortillas are needed for this easy low carb dinner recipe, but it’s flexible enough that everyone can customize the way they enjoy their keto chicken enchiladas. The perfect way to change up Taco Tuesday or for a gluten-free Cinco de Mayo.

Looking for more keto chicken recipes? Try Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Pesto or Greek Chicken Souvlaki!

Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Skillet in a cast iron pan next to bowls of salsa, mini bell peppers, and shredded lettuce

Originally published May 3, 2018.

Cheesy Keto Chicken Enchilada Skillet Recipe

Whether you are low carb or not, you are going to love this recipe. It is from a cookbook that I am excited to tell you about (just keep reading) Carolyn Ketchum of the blog All Day I Dream About Food.

To share Carolyn’s words about this recipe, “Who needs tortillas with their chicken enchiladas? The fillings and the sauce are the best part anyway, and this skillet dinner is so much easier to make.”

You can have this easy low carb chicken dinner recipe on the table in about 30 minutes. The kids will go crazy for it, even if they decide to spoon it into tortillas or over some rice or chips. And you can stick to your low carb or keto lifestyle if you choose.

I’m not low carb, but I love that this chicken enchilada skillet offers the flexibility that I appreciate in a recipe so that everyone can enjoy it the way they like it best without me needing to cook multiple meals. It’s creamy and just a bit spicy with plenty of cheese, which always gets my kids running to the table.

Ingredients

  • Butter: The recipe calls for salted butter, but if you only have salted, just add an extra pinch of salt.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into large chunks about 4 inches in size.
  • Salt and pepper: Season the chicken to taste
  • Tomato paste: Since you only need two tablespoons of tomato paste, it’s helpful to have one of those tubes of tomato paste on hand in your refrigerator instead of opening a can.
  • Chili powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Sour cream: Makes it nice and creamy. You can substitute Green yogurt if you aren’t fully keto and would prefer to make it a bit lighter.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: use your favorite cheddar cheese and shred it yourself, or pick up a shredded Mexican cheese blend. 

How to Make Keto Chicken Enchilada Skillet

  • n a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken in the butter for about 2 minutes per side.
  • Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and remove about half of the broth from the skillet. Discard the broth. Whisk the tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne into the remaining broth in the skillet. Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
  • Stir in the chicken. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cover the skillet until melted, about 4 minutes.

Cook the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a skillet. Add the chicken and brown on all sides. Add the broth, bring it to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks.

Make the keto enchilada sauce: Discard about half the broth and whisk the tomato paste and seasonings into the remaining broth. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the sour cream until well combined.

Finish it off: Stir in the chicken. Sprinkle cheese over the top and cover until the cheese is melted.

Make it a Meal

Now it’s time to enjoy! Keep it a keto chicken dinner or serve with your favorite bases, toppings, and Tex Mex sides.

Serving suggestions

Side dishes

Toppings

  • Mango Avocado Salsa would add some fresh flavor on top of this chicken enchilada skillet, just watch your serving size to keep it low carb.
  • Kid-Friendly Guacamole has the flavors you love without the chunks of raw onions and jalapenos that the kids don’t like.
  • Lime Avocado Crema is another tasty topping.
  • Don’t forget your other toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.

Drinks and Desserts

Tips for Chicken Enchilada Skillet Success

  • A nice, big skillet is key. I used a cast-iron skillet and love the flavor it gave from the butter browning on the chicken so nicely.
  • The directions call for you to discard about half of the broth after cooking. My stove tends to run a little hot, so I think I evaporated a little more of the broth. If your stove has crazy flames like mine, even on low, I’d recommend pouring it off into a bowl and then adding back if you need a little more liquid, as I did.
  • You can make the keto chicken enchiladas even faster by picking up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and reducing the amount of broth.
Chicken Enchilada Skillet served on a place with cauliflower rice next to the cookbook Easy Keto Dinners

Easy Keto Dinners Cookbook

Easy Keto Dinners is packed with over 50 recipes that you can whip up any night of the week. There are low carb dinner recipes for chicken, beef, pork, fish, and even vegetarian options. And even if you aren’t following a strict low carb diet, but are gluten free like me, these are great dishes to make. I can attest that you don’t have to be following a keto lifestyle or diet 100% of the time to enjoy these recipes.

Last updated on Dec 4, 2024 1:13 am

Since Carolyn has three kids, I know her recipes get the kiddo seal of approval, meaning they are perfect for my family as well. Of course, I might give the kids some tortillas with this keto enchilada skillet recipe or mashed potatoes with the Instant Pot Meatloaf while I stick with mashed cauliflower. But I know they will still love the main course and I don’t have to cook two separate meals to keep my own carb count down.

And before even diving into the recipes, Carolyn shares all of her best tips, tricks, and tools for making keto meals fast every day.

Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Skillet next to the cookbook where the recipe is from, Easy Keto Dinners by Carolyn Ketchum

Favorite low carb and keto cookbooks

Carolyn’s cookbooks are the absolute authoritative sources on low carb cooking and baking. I don’t always eat low carb. But I am gluten free and do try to watch my consumption of grains. So her recipes fit well into my lifestyle. And for my husband and kids, they are versatile enough that I can always add rice or pasta on the side while I enjoy my gluten free and low carb meal.

Brianne Recommends

In The Everyday Ketogenic Kitchen, you’ll get all the basics with information and recipes for every meal of the day to get you started on your low carb journey.

Easy Keto Dinners will help you with your menu planning so you can stay low carb even on the busiest of nights.

Get cozy with Keto Soups & Stews.

You will be drooling over Easy Keto Desserts, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me.

And you’ll be wanting to start your day with Easy Keto Breakfasts.

cast iron pan with the chicken enchilada skillet recipe cooked in it and topped with melted cheese next to small bowls of lettuce, salasa, and mini bell peppers
5 from 15 votes

Chicken Enchilada Skillet

Chicken Enchilada Skillet is a family-friendly low carb dinner recipe that is ready in about 30 minutes. This cheesy chicken is totally customizable too – pile on sour cream, salsa, guacamole and whatever else you'd like!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into large chunks (about 4 inches each)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend (about 6 ounces)
  • Cauliflower rice and your favorite enchilada toppings

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken in the butter for about 2 minutes per side.
  • Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and remove about half of the broth from the skillet. Discard the broth. Whisk the tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne into the remaining broth in the skillet. Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
  • Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the sour cream until well combined. Stir in the chicken. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cover the skillet until melted, about 4 minutes.
  • Serve with cauliflower rice and your favorite enchilada toppings, like pickled jalapenos, cilantro, guacamole, and tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Amount Per Serving
Calories 343 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Cholesterol 127mg42%
Sodium 571mg24%
Potassium 599mg17%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 1105IU22%
Vitamin C 5.5mg7%
Calcium 250mg25%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

Categories:

More keto chicken recipes

Not in the mood for chicken? Try this Low Carb Shepherds Pie!

20 Comments
  1. Lori Maher

    5 stars
    This was so good. First of all I halved this recipe just because I’m the only one eating keto. I sauteed some onion & bell pepper just for more veggies. I understand it changed the carb count. This would also be good with pork rinds.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Phil. Thank you for your comment and for rating the recipe!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the chicken enchiladas, Sarah! Thanks for rating the recipe, too.

  2. Briana

    5 stars
    Sooo tasty!!! First review I’ve actually left for a recipe. I will hands down make this again. Word of advice, this feeds 3 people comfortably. If you want left overs, or to feed 6 people like it says, double it.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m SO happy to know that you enjoyed the enchiladas, Briana. Serving sizes are so subjective, aren’t they? I mean, my husband can eat enough for two people sometimes, and kids eat a half serving. Regardless, thank you for the rating!

        1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

          How very nice of you, Briana! I hope that everyone enjoys it. Thank you for rating the recipe!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying the recipe, Anquilla. Thank you for your comment and recipe rating!

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      Haha! A heathen?? I don’t think so. Anyway, any type of Mexican cheese works well in this recipe. They melt REALLY well for that ultimate, ooey gooey cheesy goodness.

    1. Brianne Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Susan. Thank you for your comment and for rating the recipe!

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