The pros: Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas cost $1.99, it can stay in your freezer for a long time without worry about shelf life, quick meal ready in about 5 minutes.
The cons: Chicken was completely tasteless, they lacked texture, bottom of enchiladas were definitely soggy. Enchilada sauce overpowers everything else in the dish.
The verdict: It was just ok. It was swimming in sauce. I won't be buying this again. If you want good Chicken Enchiladas from Trader Joe's check out the refrigerated section for: Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas Verde. If you don't like Verde sauce, then Trader Joe's Cheese Enchiladas Rojo are awesome as well; however that one does not have any chicken in it. Both are new products as of 2/24/17. I highly recommend those in place of this product.
Here is the visual rundown of what you can expect if you purchase Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas.
The package of Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas in the freezer section:
The nutritional information on back of the package:
The ingredient list:
How to prepare:
What they look like after the microwave:
What did I think of them? There was an overwhelming amount of sauce, an underwhelming taste of white meat chicken, minimal cheese, and the filling (aside from chicken) was just ok. Nothing special. If price is your main concern, then yes, this is a good deal.
For me, it's worth it to go to the Mexican establishment for real enchiladas, you just don't get the complexity or the filling quality in these. If you can't make it to a Mexican restaurant then I would reach for the refrigerated variety even though they are a bit more expensive.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
pauldaviescartoons says
We don't have the dubious advantage of having Trader Joe over here in the UK, looking at the pictures I can see it might not be such a great loss. Nice posts
bsickles says
With the chicken enchiladas, definitely no loss. Some of the other things they offer are actually pretty awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if in ten years they make their way to the other side of the pond.
Andy says
I absolutely love these frozen chicken enchiladas – but I do not follow the cooking instructions at all. The way I prepare them is to microwave for 2 minutes (in the bag they come in) just to get them started thawing and then I let them sit for 15 minutes or so in the bag to finish thawing. Then I heat up my toaster oven (it’s a convection toaster oven – not sure how differently it might be in a non convection) while I grate extra cheddar cheese and chop some onions and maybe some jalapeno peppers. I open the bag and pile the extra cheese (and onions/peppers if I choose to add them) on top of the enchiladas and put them in the toaster oven in the tray they come packaged in (disclaimer – it is cardboard so you may want to use a baking dish – but I have never had a problem with the cardboard tray catching fire). I leave it in the toaster oven (top and bottom elements both heating) until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown/crisp (about 15 minutes). You said there was too much sauce – but the way I do them the sauce is all absorbed or cooked away – I actually add Pace Chunky picante sauce when I eat them. When I cook them this way, they are absolutely delicious!
becomebetty says
That's really helpful to know. Maybe I'll give them a second try.
Papa Ted says
This is the worse thing I’ve ever tried to eat. No chicken at all. A plate full of spicy hot mush.
It’s better to make your own . Not that much trouble.