When making enchiladas, top them with cilantro lime sauce, sour cream, hot sauce, and some fresh lime juice for a healthy, tasty, and satisfying Mexican dish.
On the other hand, if you want to turn your simple enchilada dinner into a full Mexican fiesta, you might be wondering what to serve with chicken enchiladas.
I've gathered together some of my favorite side dishes for enchiladas for you to try.
Looking for a quick answer?
The best side dishes to serve with chicken enchiladas are other Mexican dishes like chicken tortilla soup, refried beans, or guacamole. You can also serve your favorite enchilada recipe with a delicious side dish such as Mexican or Spanish rice.
Alternatively, you can simply fill up your dinner table with side dishes for enchiladas like pico de Gallo, taquitos, or a homemade salsa verde
The Instant Pot chicken enchiladas are one of my favorite Mexican meals to make because they are so easy and so delicious.
These chicken enchiladas can be made with either flour tortillas or corn tortillas and they are fulfilling enough on their own. But if you want side dish ideas for a special dinner, we have plenty of ideas for you.
Now, let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
- 1. Mexican Rice
- 2. Stuffed Peppers
- 3. Taquitos
- 4. Vegetarian Chili
- 5. Cilantro Lime Rice
- 6. Empanadas
- 7. Nachos
- 8. Spanish Rice
- 9. Guacamole
- 10. Pico de Gallo
- 11. Mexican Coleslaw
- 12. Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 13. Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
- 14. Refried Beans
- Best Side Dishes For Chicken Enchiladas
- More Recipes
- What to Serve With Chicken Enchiladas
1. Mexican Rice
An instant go-to side dish to serve with enchiladas is Mexican rice, of course!
All you need is some rice, white or brown rice will do, some spices like chili powder, and some fresh veggies to create a side dish to serve with an enchilada meal.
2. Stuffed Peppers
To complete your next enchilada dinner, consider a versatile side dish like these stuffed peppers.
There are so many ingredients that can work with this recipe. Start with some yellow, green, or red bell peppers. You can even take the heat up a notch by trying stuffed poblano peppers.
Fill your peppers of choice with some rice, shredded chicken, beef, or pork and any other fresh ingredients you like, such as sweet potatoes, roasted corn, black beans, or green chilies.
Top with some cheese and salsa verde or reserved enchilada sauce for a delicious side dish to serve with enchiladas for a real Mexican meal.
3. Taquitos
I love taquitos because they are such customizable side dishes to serve with enchiladas.
You can make vegan taquitos filled with black beans or refried beans. You can also serve them up with some carnitas or barbacoa.
4. Vegetarian Chili
This vegetarian chili is the perfect side dish for my chicken enchiladas because it is light, flavorful, and easy to customize to your personal tastes.
Add Mexican corn, black beans, or green chiles, and top with some tortilla chips. Serve it as a side dish with your favorite enchilada recipes.
5. Cilantro Lime Rice
If you are a fan of Mexican food, you have likely had some form of this cilantro lime rice dish.
Even though you require little more than some rice, fresh lime, and fresh cilantro for this side dish, there are some liberties that can be taken with this recipe.
For instance, you can use brown, white, or even cauliflower rice to make this homemade recipe. You can even add Mexican corn or black beans for some added nutrients.
What makes this side dish an excellent option to serve with flavor-packed Mexican dishes like chicken enchiladas is just how simple of a recipe this is.
You get plenty of taste without overpowering the enchilada dish.
6. Empanadas
Amongst my favorite side dishes for enchiladas are these delicious empanadas.
They can be sweet or savory, so it's up to you how this side dish takes shape.
7. Nachos
Nachos are a Mexican food staple in my books, and the reason they are so great is because of just how creative you can get with them.
Start with a base of cheese and crispy tortilla chips. From there, you can add anything from tomatoes, jalapenos, bell peppers, lettuce, Mexican corn, black beans, onions, and more.
Finish with some sour cream, salsa, and guac for dipping, and serve alongside your enchilada dinners for a fun and delicious meal.
8. Spanish Rice
Homemade Spanish rice is another favorite of mine to serve with chicken enchiladas.
Loaded with flavor, Spanish rice is one of my favorite side dishes to serve with enchiladas because the savory tomato flavor of the rice blends beautifully with the heavenly sauce on the chicken enchiladas.
You can even substitute brown or white rice for cauliflower rice to make your Spanish rice side dishes healthier,
9. Guacamole
Who doesn't love dipping tortilla chips in a creamy avocado dip made with ripe avocados, cilantro, salt, and a little bit of lemon juice?
This popular and delicious dip can be made to suit your tastes by adding onion, tomato, or jalapeno. You could even try making your guacamole with grilled avocado for a smoky-flavored dip.
Mash it all up by hand for a chunky texture, or use a food processor for a creamier dip.
10. Pico de Gallo
Another great way to put those tortilla chips to use, and a light option to serve with your chicken enchiladas, is this easy pico de gallo.
Armed with little more than some fresh vegetables like chopped red onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice, you can have yourself a fresh homemade salsa.
Get creative by adding ingredients like grilled avocado and jalapeno to make a salsa verde, or add Mexican street corn to make a beautiful corn salsa.
11. Mexican Coleslaw
Unlike the salad dressing that you would find on a typical coleslaw, this Mexican salad doesn't contain any apple cider vinegar but rather lime juice instead.
It does contain shredded cabbage like a typical slaw. However, the dressing in Mexican coleslaw might have some spicier seasonings like cumin and coriander.
However, if coleslaw just isn't your thing, you can always serve a sweet potato salad or a green salad along with your chicken enchiladas.
While both options are incredibly healthy, the sweet potato salad might sit heavier than a green salad when served alongside chicken enchiladas.
12. Chicken Tortilla Soup
As the colder weather creeps in, you can warm up by serving your dishes enchiladas with this chicken tortilla soup.
You can make this delicious Mexican soup on the stovetop, on your crock pot. or even in the Instant Pot.
13. Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
Elotes, or Mexican street corn, is a delicious concoction of grilled corn, sour cream, cheese, and a host of flavorful herbs and spices.
When you do make elotes, ensure sure you make extra because the leftover grilled corn makes for excellent corn salsa or corn pudding.
14. Refried Beans
When making refried beans, you would typically use pinto beans.
However, you can make refried black beans with canned black beans if you prefer that flavor instead.
Best Side Dishes For Chicken Enchiladas
- Mexican Rice
- Stuffed Peppers
- Taquitos
- Vegetarian Chili
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Empanadas
- Nachos
- Spanish Rice
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Mexican Coleslaw
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
- Refried Beans
More Recipes
What to serve with Chicken Alfredo
What to serve with Chicken Tenders
What to serve with Orange Chicken
What to serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup
What to Serve With Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 4 chicken enchiladas
Instructions
- Prepare your favorite chicken enchilada recipe.
- Select a side dish such as Mexican rice, stuffed peppers, taquitos, vegetarian chili, cilantro lime rice, empanadas, nachos, Spanish rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican coleslaw, chicken tortilla soup, elotes, or refried beans and prepare.
- Serve together and enjoy!