Enchiladas Suizas
Soft corn tortillas wrap shredded chicken and tuck under a blanket of tangy green sauce and golden melted cheese. The contrast of bright tomatillo and rich cream is irresistible. This is the comforting Mexican dish restaurants are famous for.
- Prep time
- 20 mins
- Cook time
- 30 mins
- Total time
- 50 mins
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Calories
- 640
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- 500g boneless chicken breast or thighs
- 750g fresh tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 1 medium white onion, quartered
- 2 jalapeños, stemmed
- 2 garlic cloves
- 250ml Mexican crema or sour cream
- 200g Monterey Jack or Chihuahua cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 250ml chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Fresh cilantro and thinly sliced red onion, to serve
Instructions
- Simmer the chicken in the stock for 15 minutes until cooked through, then shred it and reserve 250ml of the cooking liquid.
- Char the tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, and garlic under a hot grill or in a dry skillet until blistered and softened, about 10 minutes.
- Blend the charred vegetables with the cumin, salt, and 125ml of the reserved stock until smooth, then simmer 8 minutes to thicken.
- Stir 125ml of crema into the sauce off the heat for the classic suizas creaminess.
- Warm the tortillas on a hot dry skillet for 20 seconds per side so they roll without cracking.
- Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken and a spoonful of cheese, roll up, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
- Pour the sauce generously over the rolls, top with the remaining cheese, and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes until bubbling.
- Drizzle with extra crema and serve with cilantro and red onion.
Pro tips
- Warming the tortillas before rolling prevents cracking and tearing.
- Charring the tomatillos deeply is what gives the sauce its smoky depth.
- Add the crema off the heat so it does not curdle in the hot sauce.
- Use rotisserie chicken to cut the prep time down to about 25 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'suizas' mean?
Suizas means 'Swiss' in Spanish. The name refers to the creamy, cheese-laden style, and the dish became famous at Sanborns restaurants in Mexico City in the 1950s.
Are enchiladas suizas spicy?
Mild to medium. Tomatillos are tart rather than hot, and the cream mellows the jalapeños. Remove the jalapeño seeds for a gentler sauce.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Assemble the rolls and refrigerate up to a day ahead, but add the sauce and cheese just before baking so the tortillas do not get soggy.
What cheese is best for suizas?
Monterey Jack melts perfectly and tastes authentic. Chihuahua (queso Chihuahua) or asadero are also traditional; low-moisture mozzarella works in a pinch.