Black Bean & Chicken Verde Enchiladas

Y'all will never hear me say no to an enchilada. Like ever. Tortillas + cheese + mexican spices + creamy sauce... what more could a gal ask for (besides chips and a margarita to complement them)?!

These Black Bean & Chicken Verde Enchiladas are the product of a merge between two of my favorite recipes / using what ingredients I had on hand. That's the beauty of enchiladas - they are covered in cheese so anything tastes good mixed within them. ; )

I did take a few extra steps in preparing these guys, but I also offer tips below on how to cut some corners as you may not have the extra time like I did today (thank you napping children - praise!). The Fry crew was very pleased with the results so here goes...

Ingredients
2 cups chicken breast, diced
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

¼ cup chicken broth
3-4 green onions, diced

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup roasted salsa verde

¼ block cream cheese, cut up
Fajita size tortillas
Spice blend: 1 tsp each cumin, garlic, salt; ½ each tsp each pepper, onion powder, chili powder
Toppings: shredded monterey jack (about ½ cup), cilantro, tomatoes, avocado (or whatever else you like)

Step One
Roast your chicken in an olive oil + salt + pepper + garlic powder blend on 375° for 30 minutes OR use rotisserie (way easier & already has great flavor built in). Dice up into bite-size pieces.

Step Two
Mix your spices together and set aside - you will use them throughout the process.

Step Three
Pour black beans into a saucepan, cover with chicken broth and 2 teaspoons of the spice blend. Bring to a boil, turn down to medium heat and cook 5-10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Mash some of the beans to give them a creamier texture.
Alternative: you can use uncooked beans - they will still be tasty and this takes off a step from the process - but you'll need to at least warm/mash them so the mixture will stick together.

Step Four
In a large bowl, mix together chicken, beans, cheddar cheese and 2 of the diced green onions. Set aside.

Step Five
In a small sauce pan (rinse and reuse the one used for the beans) on medium heat, mix together the salsa verde, cream cheese & 2 tsp spice blend until smooth (about 8 minutes). When done, mix about ¼ cup into the chicken & bean mixture.
Alternative: heat cream cheese + salsa + spices in microwave in 30 second increments until melted.

Step Six
Pour some of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Place chicken & bean mixture onto one side of the tortilla and roll up. Cover enchiladas with remaining verde sauce, top with monterey jack cheese & cook on 350° for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.
*This should make 6-8 enchiladas depending on how you fill them*

Top with cilantro, remaining green onions, avocado, etc. Enjoy with some rice & beans / chips / salsa / guac / pico / all the things!

xoxo from my enchilada-loving heart --