Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (2024)

By Taylor KiserJump to Recipe

This gluten free Healthy Chicken Enchilada Recipe uses a secret ingredient to make it low carb and protein PACKED. Healthy and TASTY!Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (1)

Table of Contents

Why You Will LOVE These Low Carb Enchiladas

My love for Mexican food knows no bounds and an Enchilada has to be one of my top 10 foods. As much as I love it, I know consuming too much of anything is not great especially if they are filled with Carbs and Cheese.

SO I had to make a “healthier” version of my favourite meal so I could eat it as much as I want. There is no problem in eating enchiladas in their natural state, but for all you Carb Free peeps here is a recipe that you will definitely LOVE and thank me later 😉

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (2)

Are Enchiladas Healthy?

Typically, enchiladas are not what one considers “healthy.” They’re loaded with a lot of heavy, saturated fat and refined carbs that make them something you don’t want to eat on THE REG. You guys know I’m all about balance though, so just wanna give the HEADS up that it’s also totally okay to eat them in their cheesy, tortilla glory and TRULY enjoy them every so often! But if you wanna eat them, liiiiike, everyday? (Me! Me!) Then you’re going to be all over these low carb white chicken enchiladas!

How Many Carbs Are in Chicken Enchiladas?

I’m always up for reprogramming classic recipes to make them better for you alternatives WITHOUT sacrificing on texture and flavor! This low carb chicken enchilada casserole is going to be a winner in your books because it brings all that Mexican flavor and cheesy goodness to your plate, but also cuts down on carbs! For each serving of enchiladas, there is about 26 grams of carbs.

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (3)

How to Make Low Carb Tortillas

Ok, do you want to know a BIG secret? The tortillas I use to make low carb chicken enchiladas aren’t tortillas at all! That’s right, to make low carb tortillas I use none other than versatile and mild tasting egg whites! To make them, you will want to heat a small pan over medium-high heat, spray it with cooking spray and pour in some egg whites. Cook for a couple of minutes, then carefully flip the “tortilla” and continue cooking on the other side for an additional couple of minutes. Voila- now you have low carb tortillas!

What Else Can I Use Instead of Egg Whites?

If you’d rather not use egg whites to make this low carb chicken enchilada recipe, there are other options as well! Feel free to make and use coconut flour tortillas or tortillas made of cheese instead if you’d rather.

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (4)

How to Make Low Carb Chicken Enchiladas

Boil

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the chicken breast and cook until it’s no longer pink inside. Remove the meat from the water and use 2 forks to shred the chicken. Set it aside in a small bowl.

Make the Tortillas

Cook up your egg white “tortillas” as detailed above!

Sautee

Heat up a splash of oil over medium-high heat in a large pan. Add the garlic and chopped onions and cook until they are soft. Add in the blended tomatoes, salsa, and spices and season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.

Assemble

Take one “tortilla” and spoon a line of the tomato mixture down the center. Add in some of the chicken as well as a bit of the corn, and roll it up tightly. Place the rolled tortilla in the baking dish, securing it with a toothpick if needed. Repeat with other tortillas and fillings. Top with the enchilada sauce and grated cheese.

Enjoy

Bake your enchiladas until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve them up and DEVOUR!

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (5)

What to Serve With Enchiladas

Although these enchiladas are incredibly delicious and shine all on their own, it’s always fun to cook up some side dishes to serve alongside them! I recommend adding a side of keto mexican cauliflower rice as well as a fresh and tasty mexican grilled corn salad with jalapeno and avocado to your plate as well.

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (6)

How to Freeze Enchiladas

To freeze these enchiladas, I recommend assembling them, then covering the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Label the enchilada casserole with the date and freeze for up to one month. When you want to bake and enjoy it, simply thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours, remove the foil and plastic wrap, and bake until the cheese is hot and bubbly!

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (7)

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Mexican Shakshuka Recipe

Mexican Zucchini Lasagna

Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Cauliflower

Recipe

Healthy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Serves: 2 Servings

Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (8)

Prep: 30 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cups cups Egg Whites
  • 1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1/2 small Onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 tablespoon tablespoon Garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup Fire Roasted Tomatoes, blended in a food processor
  • 3 tablespoons Salsa
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper, optional
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup Frozen Corn, if frozen, thawed
  • 1/2 cup Reduced Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 3/4 cup Enchilada Sauce

For the Avocado Crema:

  • 1/4 cup Avocado, about half a large avocado
  • 1/4 cup Plain Greek Non Fat Yogurt
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

For the Enchiladas:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the chicken breast until it is no longer pink inside, about 15-20 minutes. Using two forks, shred the chicken and set aside to cool.

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a small baking dish (mine was 6×8) with cooking spray, set aside.

  • Spray a small, non-stick, frying pan with cooking spray and heat on high. Once hot, turn down the heat to medium/low and slowly pour 1/2 cup of liquid egg whites in, covering with a tight fitting lid. Cook until the top of the whites are just set and slightly bubbly (about 2-3 minutes). Remove the lid, carefully flip the egg whites and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the “tortilla” is cooked. Slide onto a plate and repeat with the remaining 1 1/2 cup egg whites.

  • While the egg whites are cooking, heat the 1/2 Tablespoon oil in a large pan on medium/high heat. Cook the chopped onion and garlic until soft, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the blended tomatoes, salsa, chili powder, cumin, paprika and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To Assemble:

  • Take one egg white “tortilla” and place 2 Tablespoons of the tomato sauce in a line along the bottom portion. Top with 1 Tablespoon of the thawed corn and 1/4 cup of shredded chicken. Roll up tightly and place in the prepared baking dish, securing with a toothpick if needed. Repeat for the remaining enchiladas.

  • Pour the enchiladas sauce evenly over the dish and top with the grated cheese.

  • Bake until the cheese is melted, 8-10 minutes.

  • While the enchiladas bake, add the avocado and Greek yogurt into a small food processor, and blend until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  • Serve the enchiladas hot with the avocado crema and cilantro.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 470.6kcal (24%) Carbohydrates: 30g (10%) Protein: 51.1g (102%) Fat: 18.5g (28%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6.3g Cholesterol: 71.3mg (24%) Sodium: 1948mg (85%) Potassium: 622mg (18%) Fiber: 6.6g (28%) Sugar: 7.9g (9%)

Nutrition Disclaimer

Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.

Author: FoodFaithFitness

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Share your creationsTag @foodfaithfit and hashtag it #foodfaithfitness so I can see what you made!

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FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:

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WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 7 POINTS+: 12 . OLD POINTS:10

(per half the recipe – 2 enchiladas and 1/2 of the avocado crema)

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Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (15)

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Healthy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Recipe | Food Faith Fitness (2024)

FAQs

Are enchiladas healthy for weight loss? ›

Best: Enchiladas

These are Mexican comfort food, but they're waistline-friendly. Corn tortillas are wrapped around a filling and baked in a chili sauce. The chicken or veggie version has only about 300 calories. Order the kind with red or green sauce.

How many carbs are in a homemade chicken enchilada? ›

A single serving could have nearly 1,400 milligrams of sodium. Each enchilada may also contain around 20 grams of protein, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 56 milligrams of cholesterol and 8 grams of saturated fat.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas.

How long do you cook real good enchiladas for? ›

Place tray on center rack in oven on an oven-proof sheet pan. Bake for 30 - 33 min. Let rest 1 minute. Enjoy!

What is the healthiest thing to eat at a Mexican restaurant? ›

Mix and match healthy options like grilled meat (chicken, fish, shrimp), ceviche (raw seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice and other seasonings), black beans, brown rice, avocado salad, sautéed veggies, or tortilla soup.

What Mexican food can I eat to lose weight? ›

If refried beans are your delight, buy the fat-free version in the grocery store and check the nutritional content for restaurant fare. Grilled seafood, lean meat, and poultry are excellent sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Protein helps to keep you feeling full and is a dieter's best friend.

Does enchilada sauce have a lot of carbs? ›

Enchilada sauce, red, homemade (0.25 cup) contains 2.4g total carbs, 1.7g net carbs, 1.2g fat, 0.5g protein, and 21 calories.

Does sweet and sour chicken have a lot of carbs? ›

Sweet and sour chicken (1 cup) contains 52.5g total carbs, 51.4g net carbs, 28.3g fat, 37.3g protein, and 618 calories.

How many calories are in 2 homemade chicken enchiladas? ›

There are 469 calories in 2 Enchilada with Chicken and Cheese in Tomato- Based Sauce. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

What cheese is best for enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

Why are my homemade enchiladas soggy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

What kind of tortillas do you use for enchiladas? ›

Tortillas: Corn tortillas are traditionally used in Mexican-style enchiladas, but I typically use flour tortillas (which are more commonly used in Tex-Mex and American-style enchiladas) since they are much easier to roll. That said, just about any style of tortillas will work in this recipe.

Do enchiladas have a lot of calories? ›

It's time for healthy recipes and cutting back, but after all the splurging your palate has grown accustomed to good flavor. Did you know that a traditional chicken enchilada recipe can have up to 1,000 calories a serving?!

What are the disadvantages of enchiladas? ›

The main nutrition drawback with enchiladas is that they can potentially be high in saturated fat, depending on how you prepare them. Saturated fat–found in animal products like cheese, beef, and more–is associated with higher risk of heart disease (4).

What to get at a Mexican restaurant when trying to lose weight? ›

Other healthier options at a Mexican restaurant could include Tamales, Gazpacho ( a tomato-based soup traditionally served cold), grilled seafood-based dishes, salsa and Picante sauce, soft tacos with chicken or beef, fish tacos, or chile con carne (minus cheese and chips).

Do enchiladas have a lot of fat? ›

The favorite choice for the term "Enchiladas" is 1 Meatless Enchilada with Cheese which has about 14 grams of fat. The total fat, saturated fat and other fats for a variety of types and serving sizes of Enchiladas is shown below.

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