Beer Can Chicken Enchiladas

April 15, 2013

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It actually felt like spring! It made me miss the days in college. You know what I am talking about. During the first good day of spring-like weather on a college campus, people bust out flip-flops, everybody is out doing some sort of activity, and even some crazy people bust out shorts!

Back in freshman year of college, when my friends and I lived in the all-girls dorm, we didn’t have a front yard so we would either head to the quad or we would go for a little windows-down joy ride in my friend’s green Astro Van. Hey, don’t make fun! Most freshmen don’t even have cars down at school. We loved that beat up green van.

On one particular beautiful spring day, my friend and I went for a little cruise around the downtown area of school. While stopped at a red light we were dancing along to the radio and minding our own business when a car full of cute boys pulled up next to us. We, being the easily excitable freshmen we were, tried to make friends.

All of a sudden the boys each raised a super soaker and opened fire on us!

They all laughed and then drove off, leaving us screaming like little girls. Needless to say, that incident definitely cut down on our joy-riding times. Once we finally got out of the dorms, on the first day of good weather we decided our efforts were better left to grilling and sipping cocktails in the yard as opposed to joy-riding.

Yesterday made me long for a good grilling classic—beer can chicken. But since our grill isn’t quite clean and most likely doesn’t have propane, I took this classic and mixed it up a bit.

Beer Can Chicken Enchiladas

Course Entree
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 4 -8
Author Sarcastic Cooking

Ingredients

  • For the Chicken:
  • 1 ½ Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chopped Cilantro
  • 1 Jalapeno seeded and roughly chopped
  • Zest of 1 Lime
  • Juice from 1 Lime
  • 2 Cloves Garlic Grated
  • 1, 12 Ounce Beer
  • Dash of Hot Sauce
  • Big Pinch of Salt and Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 Teaspoon Coriander
  • Dash of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Room Temperature Beer
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 2 ½ Cups Grated Pepperjack Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • For the Enchiladas:
  • 8 Flour Tortillas
  • Sliced Jalapeno for garnish
  • Chopped Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. At least an hour before cooking, add the chicken thighs, cilantro, jalapeno, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, beer, hot sauce, and seasonings to a large sealable plastic storage bag. Seal the bag, shake the bag to combine all the ingredients, and then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. Add the contents of the bag to a large baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool slightly before shredding. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Add the chicken back to the baking dish and keep off to the side for later.
  4. Keep the oven on.
  5. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium/low heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour. Cook the mixture for a minute. Pour in the beer while whisking. Once combined, pour in the milk while whisking.
  6. Add two cups of cheese, salt, and pepper to the sauce. Stir to combine. Once the cheese is melted remove the saucepan from the heat.
  7. Pour 1/3 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9 ½”x11” baking dish. Spread out in an even layer. Assemble the enchiladas. Add a few tablespoons of the shredded chicken to the center of each tortilla, roll tightly, and then place seam-side down into the pan. Continue until all enchiladas are rolled.
  8. Cover tortillas with remaining sauce and then sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake enchiladas for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with cilantro and jalapenos, and then let cool for five to ten minutes before serving.

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  • Jennie @themessybakerblog
    April 22, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    I’m in love with these! Those boys played a mean trick. Funny, but mean.

  • Wendy
    April 20, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    These enchiladas look so wonderful, it would be easy to forget ever starting a grill! The out of propane issue went on for so many years at our house that we almost stopped grilling! Its the reason I now adore our current grill connected to the gas line!

  • DB-The Foodie Stuntman
    April 18, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Actually, I love beer can chicken because you get to shove a can up the business end of a chicken. Why? It’s great for a smart-ass like myself because of the jokes to be had. I also like it for practical reasons too, such as a great taste and you set it and forget it leaving you time to prepare any sides…or cracking jokes with friends.

  • Erin @ Table for 7
    April 17, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    They look divine! I am a new reader..found you at Hungry Couple..I love your site!

  • Sister Spice
    April 15, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Beer can chicken is amazing, and I love the spin you put on these enchiladas! Great idea!

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    April 15, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    Things I love: Your college stories.

    Also, enchiladas. Mmmm.

  • Ashleigh
    April 15, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Oh snap! I just made a beer can chicken last night! These will be perfect! I’m so ready for nice weather…c’mon Midwest!!

  • Karla @ Foodologie
    April 15, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Oh man! That totally wasn’t the direction I was thinking that story was going to go in!

    But either way, now you make awesome enchiladas (which I totally want to devour asap).

  • Susan
    April 15, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I’m digging the twist. Definitely a fan of the beer can chicken!

    • Stefanie
      April 15, 2013 at 11:49 am

      I love beer can chicken too. The only thing I hate about the typical beer can chicken is having to shove a can up the business end of a chicken. This recipe, luckily you don’t have to do that! Hahah!

  • Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
    April 15, 2013 at 11:03 am

    In college, we called it “Happy Warm-Day Day” — and I was always impressed by the girls who were willing to suntan on the hill in 60-degree weather. Good times.

    Speaking of good times, I need to have them with these enchiladas. Serious YUM.

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    April 15, 2013 at 8:21 am

    I’ve had many encounters with boys spraying me with water sooo….I feel your pain.

    These enchiladas are SO cool and Michael would LOVE EM!