This quick and easy Chicken Black Bean Enchilada Skillet is everything you love about classic enchiladas without all the fuss. It’s another one of my 30 minute dinners!
You know how I love my One Skillet meals, and then combine that with my passion for Mexican food and these one pan enchiladas were born… Oh mama, talk about a winning combination.
With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be totally hooked on this dinner just like we are.
Ingredients for Skillet Enchiladas
- Chicken Thighs – make this even quicker by using shredded rotisserie chicken
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Black Beans – rinsed and drained
- Salsa – my restaurant salsa is perfection in here and it only takes minutes in the blender
- Enchilada Sauce – homemade or store bought
- Corn Tortillas – cut into strips
- Mexican Cheese Blend
How To Make Quick Enchiladas
This recipe is not your average enchiladas. We aren’t rolling anything in tortillas and we’re not even heating up the oven. That’s what I love about this recipe, it can quickly be made on the stove top in under 30 minutes with no fuss at all!
SAUTÉ Start by sautéing your chicken thighs with the garlic, cumin and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until heated through.
SIMMER Toss in the black beans, salsa and enchilada sauce and bring to a simmer, until the beans are heated through.
TORTILLAS Add in strips of corn tortillas and stir gently, heating the tortillas until they soften slightly and are coated in the sauce.
CHEESE Top with the shredded cheese and cover with a lid until the cheese melts.
TOPPINGS Add your favorite toppings such as sour cream, diced tomato, green onions, avocado, etc.
Flour or Corn Tortillas in Enchiladas?
Traditionally, enchiladas are made with corn tortillas. However, if you prefer the taste of flour tortillas, feel free to use them instead.
PRO TIP: Use a pizza cutter to quickly and easily slice the corn tortillas into strips before adding them to the skillet.
Tips and Variations for Chicken Black Bean Enchilada Skillet:
- Use (2 cups) shredded chicken for a quicker way to get dinner on the table.
- Swap in any of your favorite canned beans such as, pinto, white, kidney or garbanzo.
- Top with your favorite toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, etc.
- Try using green enchilada sauce in place of red!
More Enchilada Recipes To Try:
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- 15 Minute Beef Enchilada Casserole
- Green Chicken Enchiladas
- Flat Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Chicken Enchilada Soup
I think you’re really going to love this quick and easy weeknight dinner! It’s one my family has thoroughly enjoyed!
Chicken Black Bean Enchilada Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups red enchilada sauce
- ½ cup salsa
- 6 small white corn tortillas, cut into 1" strips
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
Optional Toppings
- Sour Cream
- Diced Green Onions
- Diced Avocado
- Diced Tomatoes
Instructions
- Season chicken thighs with garlic powder, cumin, oregano and salt and pepper. Sauté in a large skillet over medium heat (no need to add any oil) until the chicken thighs are lightly browned and cooked through.
- To the skillet add in the black beans, enchilada sauce and salsa. Bring mixture to a simmer and heat until black beans are cooked through.
- Add in the strips of corn tortillas and stir gently until coated in sauce and heated through. Top the mixture with the shredded cheese and cover with the lid for about 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Garnish with your desired toppings and enjoy!
BBQ Burger Bites
Lori Dinga
Hi,
I did not see the link for the pans. They would work great in my RV! Could you please post what brand they are?
Thank you!
Lori Dinga
Hi!
I found that you did post the link! Just ordered them!
Kathy E.
Awesome flavor! I added a sliced onion and green pepper. Served a scoop full over a baked potato instead of adding the corn tortillas. Cheddar and sour cream on top were perfect!
MaryEllen Zajac
Great recipe! I used leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded. I also crisped my tortilla strips in the air fryer then added them with the cheese. I served it over shredded lettuce! Gotta get in some veggies!
Diane
Hi. Thank you for this recipe. If you don’t mind, I have a question. I’m wondering about the spices. When you make enchiladas, typically recipes don’t add extra spices. The sauce already is spiced well. Why are they added in casserole versions?
I need to bring a casserole to a potluck and there are spice sensitive folks attending. I don’t want it bland, either. Appreciate your thoughts!
Claire
Fantastic! This was a hit even for the toddler. I used this recipe for enchilada sauce: https://thatsdeelicious.com/easy-red-enchilada-sauce/
I replaced the chicken with ground beef, added diced onion to the meat while cooking then served over rice.
Claire
Fantastic! This was a hit even for the toddler. I used this recipe for enchilada sauce: https://thatsdeelicious.com/easy-red-enchilada-sauce/
replaced the chicken with ground beef, added diced onion to the meat while cooking then served over rice.
Jen
Do you think part of this could be frozen? I live alone and don’t want this to go to waste!
Diae
I think freezing this in individual size servings after cooking would work well. I do that with chicken enchiladas all the time. Reheat in the microwave on a low setting.
CharleesMomma
This may be a strange question, but I have a health condition that is aggravated by tomatoes, but I’ve learned to make a red enchilada sauce that I can tolerate much better. Is it possible to omit the salsa and maybe double the enchilada sauce instead? Maybe add some onion salt, lime, finely diced onions and cilantro so I would still get the rest of the flavors of the salsa, just without the tomatoes? I know it’s a weird thing to ask, this just looks so good that if I can find a way to tweek it just enough for my system to tolerate it without compromising the flavor too much, I had to ask.
Shirley
If I wanted to take this to a “pitch in”, could I make in a skillet as directed, minus the cheese. Transfer contents to an aluminum pan and then top with the cheese? Perhaps place in an oven to warm and melt the cheese? Thanks
Gale Lynn Hethcoat
I’m going to make this. Can I use boneless breasts?
Shawn
Yes, you can definitely use chicken breast. Enjoy!
Linda Magnuson
I made this using homemade taco seasoning. My husband love it!
Pheobe S
It was extremely good. Very quick with a lot of flavor. I used green enchiladas sauce and green salsa (not verde) as we don’t like red. I will definitely make it again.
marilyn
We loved it, I used leftover chicken and added the seasoning as soon as I put it in the skillet. I decided to use green enchilada sauce as that is what I had on hand. This recipe was FAST and EASY and DELICIOUS.
Jane S.
Loved this recipe! We made it into a rice bowl, with lots of toppings! So good!!
Shawn
That sounds great! So glad you enjoyed it Jane!
Roxanne
Is the recipe for your enchilada sauce and salsa posted somewhere?
Shawn
Yes, it’s listed in the recipe card and within the blog post with hyperlinks to each blog post. Here are they are again…
Enchilada sauce – https://iwashyoudry.com/homemade-enchilada-sauce/
Salsa – https://iwashyoudry.com/restaurant-style-salsa-recipe/
Barbara
Where did you get the stackable pots you showed in your camper?
Shawn
I found them on Amazon. You can find them here: https://amzn.to/3n4Yqh1
Patricia Burdette
How do you make enchilada sauce? Recipe please!
Shawn
Here is my homemade recipe: https://iwashyoudry.com/homemade-enchilada-sauce/
Leanne Jenkinson
Made this for my family last night, had to make the enchilada sauce with a little adjustment as based in the UK but it was fantastic, thank you. Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes 🙂
Patty H
I needed a recipe for stove top enchiladas(my oven quit working) and this was perfect! So easy to make and my crew loved it!
Lynn Heckman
So easy and yummy! Kids (age 7 and 1) loved it also. And added bonus made delicious lunch leftovers.
Cyndi
Hi – Could I make this with hamburger? That’s what I have in the fridge 🙂
Thanks –
Shawn
Yes, for sure!
Robin
Delicious and so easy! It seemed a bit soupy, bu I only the exact amount of corn tortillas available in my fridge so I couldn’t add more. But as my husband said, soupy enchiladas are better than no enchiladas! I definitely will make this again.
Shawn
My homemade enchilada sauce is not as liquidy as store bought, so maybe that’s the difference? Either way, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Deb
This looks awesome ! Although I do have to ask , aren’t the tortilla strips chewy/kind of soggy since they are mixed in with all the ingredients?
Thanks
Shawn
The tortillas to get softer and chewy. Similar to how they are in an enchilada. You’re using corn tortillas here, not flour.
Cindy Howell
can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? This looks great 🙂
Shawn
Definitely!
Angi
Where do I find that pan?
Shawn
I love this pan! I found it on Amazon and use it often – https://amzn.to/3bibuJq
Cindi
My family LOVES this recipe. I use the packaged rotisserie chicken meat from Costco and make a double batch. Hooray for leftovers! This recipe is super quick and easy. A definite go to meal, but also a great option for company. Thank you!
Shawn
I’ll totally use the packaged rotisserie chicken when I want it even faster! So glad you enjoyed it!
Laura
I made this for my family and we all loved it. I have been using some of your recipes and they are all delicious! I have loved everyone of them, thank you!
Shawn
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you are enjoying them!
Denise
Do you coat the chicken with these spices before you share it
Shawn
Either way works. If you season with the chicken in the pan, that should be fine too!
Gail Rodecker
I left out tortilla strips and used this a a dip with nacho chips. Also made my own enchilada sauce. Excellent!
Shawn
Sounds like a great way to enjoy it!
Chris Sheppard
The Chicken Black Bean Enchilda Skillet was a hit tonight for dinner! I did add a bit more cumin, chili powder & smoked paprika to the canned enchilda sauce to bring up the hit more. Hands down this was our fav dinner for the week!
Shawn
That’s so great to hear Chris! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
Margaret Higgins
This recipe is fantastic and so quick and easy to make. Will a have to double next time as it only was enough to feed 4 hungry adults.
Shawn
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Margaret!
marilyn
I made this for supper. It was so good. Instead of the tortilla strips,I made rice. 3adult people loved it..thanks for all your recipes..yum!
Shawn
Oh, I like that idea too! Thanks for sharing Marilyn!