I’ve just emerged from a week long hibernation binge watching new episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. In one scene, Maria, one of the Hispanic women rescued from a cult leader, begins selling “mole sauce” after realizing the media coined term “mole women” provides an opportune marketing tactic. Always thinking about food, I suddenly began craving some enchiladas and scoured the internet for mole recipes. In doing so, I learned that mole sauce had chocolate in it; no wonder why it always had the most delicious smoky, sweet flavor! When I made that connection, I realized that perhaps other spicy and sweet sauces would make an excellent substitute for mole sauce. Cue hoisin sauce. This barbecue flavored sauce, made from mashed fermented soy beans, is a staple in any Vietnamese household. While it’s primary place in a Vietnamese kitchen is in a piping hot bowl of pho, it makes for a great marinade and overall dipping sauce. It certainly impressed me atop my enchiladas!

cheesy enchiladas

Spicy Hoisin Chicken Enchiladas

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the enchiladas

  • 8 small soft tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • sour cream for garnish
  • green onions for garnish

For the chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium red onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup Thai basil chopped
  • 1/2 cup Sriracha sauce
  • 3 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 tsp salt

For the sauce

  • 1 cup hoisin sauce
  • 10 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp Sriracha

Instructions
 

  • In a pan, saute minced garlic, red onion and Thai basil in sesame oil. Add in chicken strips, chicken broth, Sriracha and salt. Saute over medium heat for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll sauteed chicken into tortillas and place the open side down in a casserole dish. Add shredded cheese on top of rolled enchiladas and bake for 10 minutes.
  • While enchiladas are baking, fry minced garlic cloves in sesame oil. When garlic cloves become golden and crispy, add in hoisin sauce, water, and Sriracha. Stir for 2 minutes.
  • Remove enchiladas from oven and coat in hoisin sauce. Garnish with additional Sriracha, sour cream and green onions.

Notes

Feel free to use any kind of shredded cheese, but a milder cheese will really complement the bold hoisin and Sriracha flavors.

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