Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Meatballs are the most delicious combination of Mexican and Italian flavors! Served over rice, these are a big hit in our house!
This post has been done in collaboration with Dairy Pure. As always, all opinions are my own.
Are you experiencing rapid season changes like we are? One day it is 70 degrees (which never happens in February in PA!) and the next day, we have snow. I cannot keep up with the weather here and it makes it so hard to cook! I want to break out some light spring dishes, but it still seems more appropriate to be cooking comfort food. These Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Meatballs are perfect for this time of the year. Warm and comforting, but light enough that they are spring worthy as well!
Mexican flavors are always a favorite here. I know that no one will be disappointed whenever I say it is taco night. I love to mix things up though and not always make the same beef tacos. We love these oven baked ones and these potato and poblano ones are definitely my own personal favorite. I also have a go to enchilada recipe that I really need to share here on the blog, I just can’t seem to get a good photo of them though! Until then, these Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Meatballs are a great substitute for that recipe! I have to say…I may even like these more!
I have a secret ingredient in my meatballs that I use as a base for any meatball that I am making…milk. Years ago I saw a trick on the Food Network for how to make the perfect meatball. You soak bread in milk and then add the soggy bread to the meat mixture in order to keep things moist as they cook. I have been doing this ever since and always love how my meatballs turn out!
I used DairyPure brand in this recipe and love that their milk is hormone free, tested for antibiotics, and comes from cows who are fed a healthy diet!
I used ground chicken for these but you can definitely substitute beef or turkey. I love the mildness of the chicken and how it allows the delicious enchilada flavors to shine through. As a short cut, use store bought enchilada sauce. Homemade is of course better, but I don’t have time for it to simmer on a weeknight! I like to spice up the store bought sauce with a little chili powder and garlic powder just to give it more flavor.
I am sure that your family will love these Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Meatballs! I hope they grace your table the next time you are hungry for Mexican but need a break from tacos!
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheese, colby or monteray jack
- 1 slice of bread soaked in 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. Mexican oregano
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- For the sauce and topping:
- 1 can red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded monteray jack cheese
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup tortilla strips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a baking sheet with non stick spray.
- Add all the meatball ingredients but the milk soaked bread to a medium mixing bowl.
- Break apart the bread into crumbles and add to the meat mixture.
- Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Mix meat mixture into 12-14 heaping tablespoons and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- While meatballs cook, add enchilada sauce to a sauce pan and heat over low. When meatballs are done cooking, add them to the warm sauce. Simmer over low heat for half an hour to finish cooking the meatballs.
- When ready to serve, top with additional cheese and let cook until melted. Top with tortilla strips and green onions and any additional toppings you'd like, sour cream, salsa, etc.
For more information on DairyPure and their Five-Point Purity Promise go here!
I love food that’s packed with flavor and so do the kids. This recipe is a keeper! I can’t wait to make it for dinner one of these nights. It’s a warm bowl of goodness, without a doubt!
I would have never thought to make this dish. Your photos are amazing and are making me want to make a bite of your dish!
Thank you so much Janel!
this looks super yummy to have on a cold night! I’ll have to add it to my next weeks menu!
Yes, perfect comfort food!
This sounds amazing! I would heave never thought to do meatballs like this, but I really love the concept!
Thank you!
That looks so good! My husband loves meatballs so I’ll be trying this at home. I’m sure he’s going to be delighted!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
My boys would love meatballs like this and we love the flavors of Mexican food.
Us too! Its our favorite!
These meatballs look amazing. It’s a real family-pleaser recipe that I know my family would love.
Yes! Very family friendly! I left my daughters out of the sauce so it wouldn’t be too spicy for her!
Looks yummy! Have to try to make this sometime.
I love the twist of making meatballs taste Mexican. I always think Italian when I think of meatballs but it doesn’t have to be that way.
This looks absolutely incredible. I must say. I havent had meatballs in a really long time, I would love to make this for my family!
That totally happened to us here in Denver! One day it was 70 degrees and the next it snowed all day! Crazy! This looks delish! I can’t wait to try it!
This looks so good! I never would have thought to make it into a meal like this. My family loves meatballs.
I love how colorful this meal is! 🙂 Looks yummy!
Now this is interesting! Enchiladas and meatballs is a good combo mix I never would of thought to make this together.
What an awesome idea! I always think italian when it comes to meatballs, but enchiladas are one of our favorite dishes. Will have to try these!
Omg can we say yum?!?! These meatballs look absolutely amazing!!! I just give your recipe a try! Deliciousness