Enchiladas Suizas

Enchiladas Suizas. (Johnny Autry)

Enchiladas Suizas

On just about every Tex-Mex menu, chicken enchiladas with verde sauce is an option. The tangy flavor of the tomatillos in the sauce is a perfect match for the corn tortillas and shredded chicken. Enchiladas Suizas, so named for the Swiss immigrants to Mexico who introduced dairy farming to the country, include sour cream, which adds a richness to the enchiladas and makes them decadent.

Serves 4

• Cooking spray
• 1 (4-ounce) can crushed tomatillos
• 1 (4-ounce) can whole green chiles
• 3/4 cup chopped poblano peppers
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh tomatillos
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeño pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Vegetable oil, for softening tortillas
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, store-bought or homemade
• 1 cup shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken
• 4 ounces Chihuahua cheese, grated
• 4 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
• 1/2 cup cilantro chimichurri or additional chopped fresh cilantro

Place a rack 6 to 8 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven to broil. Spray an 8 x 12-inch baking dish with cook spray.

In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine the canned tomatillos, green chiles, poblanos, onion, fresh tomatillos, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic, salt, and cloves. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables have softened, 30 minutes. Using an immersion blender, purée the mixture until smooth. (Alternatively, carefully transfer the mixture to a regular blender and purée until smooth, then return it to the pan.) Stir in the sour cream to combine. Taste and add more salt as needed. Remove the pan from the heat and cover to keep the sauce warm.

Fill a Dutch oven or large heavy pot with oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.

Using tongs, dip a few tortillas at a time into the hot oil until softened, 3 or 4 seconds. Stack them on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.

Place a softened tortilla on a clean work surface, spoon 2 tablespoons of the chicken down the center, and roll up to enclose the chicken. Place the rolled tortilla seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and chicken. Top the enchiladas with the sauce and sprinkle with the Chihuahua cheese.

Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbling, about 5 minutes.

Top with the queso fresco and chimichurri and serve warm.

Reprinted with permission from “Tex-Mex Cookbook: Traditions, Innovations, and Comfort Foods from Both Sides of the Border,” by Ford Fry, copyright © 2019. Photographs by Johnny Autry. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc.