Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde

July 6, 2007 | Reviewer: Abi

Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas Verde Price: $2.79
Serving: 1 enchilada, 6 oz.
Real Serving: 2 enchiladas, 12 oz.
Nutritional information below is for those of you who (like me) eat both enchiladas.
Calories: 480
Fat: 28%, 18g
Cholesterol: 34%, 100mg
Sodium: 40%, 560g
Protein: 38g
Carbohydrates: 14%, 41g
Fiber: 24%, 6g

Trader Joe says: White meat chicken enchiladas in salsa verde

Abi says: If you sat me down in a Mexican restaurant and ordered me to order enchiladas, 9 times out of 10 I would order the darkest, smokiest mole on the menu. I like the Oaxacan stuff, full of mystery and spice, with deep notes of chile, chocolate, cumin and toasted almonds.

I do not prefer enchiladas in salsa verde, the lamest salsa ever. It is green! And looks like slime! And where is the smokiness? Salsa verde is for wimps! Oh, just kidding. Salsa verde is really quite delicious and you should use this recipe from Simply Elise to make some this weekend.

As I was saying, I am not a proponent of salsa verde on enchiladas. And then I found these enchiladas, nay discovered these enchiladas. Like Columbus in the New World, I had plundered the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe’s, spreading smallpox and pretty much awing everyone in Foggy Bottom with my sword.

Before you (if you are on a large enough computer screen, otherwise you’ve probably scrolled down too far to see the picture) is an image of the most incredible frozen enchiladas ever created. This little tray of heaven consists of delicious chunks of white meat chicken, wrapped in thick, soft corn tortillas, and smothered with an unbelievable salsa verde, cheese, and sour cream combination.

When I bring these enchiladas in for lunch, it inspires other people to immediately leave the cube area in search of enchiladas. And then they come back with their $9.00 enchiladas and still look longingly at my little tray of $2.79 enchilada awesomeness.

What’s more, I’ve known how wonderful these enchiladas are for almost a year and I’ve been keeping that knowledge from you. Why? Because I’m worried that the next time I go to Trader Joe’s they’ll be gone. Please, have a heart and leave some for me. Thanks.

P.S. When heating these enchiladas, pull out of the microwave halfway through the cooking time and cut up everything so that it pretty much looks like a casserole. It won’t be pretty, but it will still taste fabulous and it will ensure that everything is heated through. Do not just heat them as they stand in the tray or you will end up with the occasional bit of somewhat-cool chicken or rock-hard corn tortilla.

comments

8 Responses to “Trader Joe’s Chicken Enchiladas Verde”

MaryAnne on July 6th, 2007

Thanks for providing the “real” nutrition info. How does frozen sour cream work out?
Abi Jones on July 6th, 2007

Yeah, nobody should have to multiply on a Friday. The frozen sour cream was originally a worry (who puts sour cream in the microwave), but it works out very well, keeping the sauce from being too cheesy. I know, ‘too cheesy’ doesn’t seem possible, but it happens.
Heather B. on July 6th, 2007

And here I thought I was the only person who actually eats both enchiladas. I’d kept it as a secret because I didn’t want people knowing that one enchilada did nothing for me. Alas, that is not the case, a lot of people eat both and are damn proud of it.
Jess on July 6th, 2007

Oh trader joes, why don’t you deliver?
Ace N. on July 7th, 2007

Thanks for solving my dinner quandary tonight, Abi.
Joy on September 13th, 2007

I bought this on your recommendation and it’s awful. The tortillas as mushy and soggy. The whole dish is over salted I had to throw it out. True, there’s lots of chicken, but even that couldn’t redeem this dish.
Bree on September 29th, 2007

I had this for the 2nd time this week….YUM!! Me thinks Joy did something wrong…maybe she didnt defrost 1st?!??! I also let mine sit for a minute after cooking and it all settles. Tonight I had some Fat Free Sour Cream and Tiger Hot Sauce…really didnt need it though it tasted better plain!
Deirdre on March 25th, 2008

Oh this delicious cheesy chicken-y goodness…. Trader Joe’s your frozen things delight my senses. This came out of the microwave perfect, even without mushing and the chicken is great (its like *real* chicken, not the scary over processed stuff in lean cuisines, etc) the cheese factor is good (cheesy, but not gooey and didn’t burn at the edges or anything.
Near frozen-meal perfection.
Thank you TJ’s and to Abi for inspiring me to try this.