6 Best Side Dishes To Go With Chicken Enchiladas

chicken enchiladas side dish

Chicken enchiladas are a favorite dish for many people.

Why trust me?

I'm an experienced food writer and passionate cook. My website, Cookindocs.com, features accessible, informative, and engaging content with quality recipes and articles that are thoroughly researched and enjoyable to read. You can trust my expertise with 8 years of experience in the field. Learn more about me and my work on this website, and check out my featured articles on TastingTable, Mashed, and 5-Minute Crafts. Read more about me HERE.

This Mexican staple is so rich and hearty on its own, but it will be even better to pair with a proper side dish.

A lot of people might have their own go-to side, but there are also many others who still have trouble finding a good companion to accompany chicken enchiladas.

So this post is what you are looking for.

Keep reading and you can find more ideas to serve with your chicken enchiladas.

What are chicken enchiladas?

[amazon fields=”B07XJZ56X6″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B07XJZ56X6″ value=”button”]

Chicken enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The typical ingredients include corn tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, and a yummy and vibrant red sauce made of chili peppers and spices.

These tasty and creamy wraps are loved by many people of all ages.

Chicken enchiladas can be served as a lunch or dinner option and they pair well with many other side dishes.

What to consider when choosing a chicken enchiladas’ side dish?

Many people are wondering what side dish goes best with their chicken enchiladas.

Since the main dish is already delicious and hearty on its own, will the side dish overpower and make your chicken enchiladas unnoticeable?

Don’t worry, here are some tips from us that can help you pick the right accompaniment for chicken enchiladas:

Chicken enchiladas go well with vegetable-based dishes

Since there are not many vegetables in the chicken enchiladas dish, it is best to serve this main dish with a veggie-based accompaniment.

The refreshing taste of vegetables will help balance the cheesy and rich taste of your chicken enchiladas.

Chicken enchiladas should be paired with a low-fat side dish

Nobody can deny the rich and creamy taste of chicken enchiladas, but we have to recognize that this dish is high in fat and calories.

Therefore, it is recommended to pair this dish with a side dish that is low in fat.

The companion dish shouldn’t contain too many dairy products that make the dish heavy in taste and texture.

Or it shouldn’t be cooked with a lot of oil or from a fatty cut of meat to cut down the fat intake from your diet.

6 best side dishes to serve with chicken enchiladas

To really take your chicken enchiladas over the top, here are some best side dishes we would highly recommend:

1.     Mexican coleslaw

[amazon fields=”B08FFPSR2M” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B08FFPSR2M” value=”button”]

Mexican coleslaw is a dish that combines a tangy dressing with sweet and spicy flavors.

The Mexican version of coleslaw also contains onions and other bolder spices that make this salad more special and flavorful.

The best part is that it is low in fat, which means it won’t spoil the rest of your healthy eating habits and help offset the cheesy taste of your chicken enchiladas.

2.     Black beans

[amazon fields=”B01N1O1TF8″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B01N1O1TF8″ value=”button”]

Black beans are another common side dish to serve alongside chicken enchiladas.

Black beans are often slow-cooked (either stewed or baked) until the beans are tender and deliver an earthy and slightly sweet flavor.

This dish is packed with a rich source of vegan protein and many other essential nutrients for your health.

A meal of black beans and chicken enchiladas will definitely fill your empty tummy with delicious flavors.

3.     Chips and salsa

[amazon fields=”B019CAC1O6″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B019CAC1O6″ value=”button”]

Chips and salsa are a perfect match to serve with such a Mexican staple as chicken enchiladas.

The classic corn chips when served with salsa can be a great side dish to enjoy with the creamy enchiladas as they provide a contrasting texture and flavor to your meal.

4.     Guacamole

[amazon fields=”B078844Q2Z” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B078844Q2Z” value=”button”]

Guacamole is a classic kind of sauce used in Mexican cuisine.

It is made from mashed avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and other ingredients.

It is perfect for dipping any kind of food you like.

5.      Mexican rice

[amazon fields=”B09NPX98H7″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B09NPX98H7″ value=”button”]

Mexican rice or Spanish rice is the same dish that is made with rice that is cooked with a tomato-based sauce and other spices to create a flavorful and eye-catching dish.

If you feel that your meal needs some carbs, then this side dish is a perfect choice.

Mexican rice is easy to make from inexpensive ingredients, so anyone from any class can make it with ease.

6.     Corn on the cob

[amazon fields=”B09SKXGPH5″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

[amazon fields=”B09SKXGPH5″ value=”button”]

Corn on the cob or Mexican sweet corn is an easy-to-make side dish that features the whole corn as the main ingredient.

A thin and light layer of butter outside the corn makes it richer and more buttery without being too heavy.

The bottom line

We have provided a list of the six best side dishes to serve with your chicken enchiladas.

Most of them come from Mexican cuisine and can complement your favorite chicken enchiladas without being overpowering or too filling.

Hopefully, at least one of these side dishes sounds appealing to you, otherwise, keep looking out there until you find something delicious that goes perfectly alongside your chicken enchiladas.