
Open-Faced Chicken Enchiladas with Cascabel Chile and Roasted Tomato, Avocado Cream, and Epazote Corn
An original Mexican-inspired recipe: lightly crisped tortillas topped with shredded chicken in a cascabel chile and roasted tomato sauce, finished with silky avocado cream, epazote-sautéed corn, and fresh cheese. It delivers smoky, fresh, and gently spicy layers of flavor.
Ingredients
- 500 g skinless chicken breast (cocida and deshebrada)
- 12 pieces corn tortillas (of tamaño medium)
- 500 g Roma tomatoes (cut a the mitad)
- 25 g dried cascabel chiles (without semillas)
- 180 g white onion (divided: a mitad for sauce and otra for saltear and decorar)
- 3 pieces garlic cloves (pelados)
- 200 g corn kernels (fresh or congelados)
- 180 g ripe avocado (without peel ni hueso)
- 120 ml sour cream (for the cream of aguacate)
- 80 g fresh cheese (desmoronado)
- 375 ml chicken broth (for the sauce)
- 8 g fresh epazote (chopped)
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the tomatoes, half of the white onion, and 2 garlic cloves on a baking tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, add a pinch of salt, and roast for 20 minutes until the tomatoes are deeply blistered.
- 2
2. Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Toast the dried cascabel chiles for 30 to 45 seconds per side, being careful not to burn them. Transfer to a bowl, cover with hot water, and soak for 10 minutes. Drain.
- 3
3. Blend the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion and garlic, soaked cascabel chiles, chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- 4
4. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Pour in the blended sauce and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Add the shredded chicken and cook 3 more minutes so it absorbs the flavor.
- 5
5. In another skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the corn kernels with the remaining chopped white onion for 4 minutes. Add the fresh epazote, a pinch of salt, and cook 2 minutes more. Set aside.
- 6
6. For the cream, blend the avocado, sour cream, lime juice, the remaining garlic clove, fresh cilantro, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
- 7
7. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Dip each corn tortilla quickly into the hot sauce, then place it on the griddle for 20 seconds per side so it becomes pliable and lightly crisped.
- 8
8. To serve, place 3 tortillas on each plate in an open-faced style, without rolling. Spoon the cascabel chicken mixture over them, then add the epazote corn, avocado cream, and finally the crumbled fresh cheese.
- 9
9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh cilantro if desired.
Chef tips
If you want a milder sauce, add a bit more chicken broth while blending. For deeper flavor, let the tomatoes roast until their edges are lightly charred.
Substitutions
You can use cooked chicken thighs instead of breast. Fresh cheese can be replaced with crumbled panela, and sour cream with thick unsweetened plain yogurt.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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