Lunch: Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas

Recipe by duboo If you like spinach and Mexican food, you'll love these easy chicken enchiladas made with ricotta cheese and spinach.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Chicken Breast, Spinach

Health benefits of Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas

Skinless chicken breast, often heralded for its lean nutritional profile, is undeniably a powerhouse when it comes to protein content. With an impressive 21 grams of protein packed into every 100 grams of the breast, it emerges as a preferred choice for those conscious about their protein intake. Delving deeper into the nutritional matrix of chicken, one can't overlook the copious amounts of vitamin B6 it houses. This particular vitamin plays an indispensable role in our body, especially when discussing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) management.

For individuals grappling with PCOS, the internal hormonal turbulence can be overwhelming, often leading to a spike in testosterone and androgen levels. This is where vitamin B6 comes into the spotlight. Acting as a balancer, vitamin B6 diligently works behind the scenes to keep these hormones in check, ensuring they don't surge beyond desirable levels. It is this equilibrium that becomes paramount for those earnestly looking to curtail the excessive flow of testosterone and androgen. In the broader spectrum of PCOS management, incorporating foods rich in vitamin B6, like chicken breast, can be a strategic move, providing both nutritional sustenance and hormonal balance.

Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. The high iron content in spinach helps combat anemia, which is common in women with PCOS. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. The antioxidants in spinach can help lower oxidative stress, which is beneficial for managing PCOS symptoms. Including spinach in your diet can support overall health and well-being.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large cooked chicken breast halves, diced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach - thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
5 (10 inch) flour tortillas
2 (10 ounce) cans enchilada sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir green onions and garlic in butter until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Stir chicken, spinach, chili powder, black pepper, and salt into the green onion mixture and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix ricotta cheese, sour cream, 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese into chicken mixture until thoroughly combined. Reserve remaining Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheeses for topping.
Place tortillas into a plastic bag, seal bag, and microwave on high until warm and soft, 30 to 45 seconds. Spoon about 3/4 cup of chicken filling down the center of each tortilla in a line. Roll tortillas around filling and place with seam sides down into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Pour enchilada sauce over filled enchiladas and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheeses over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until filling is bubbling and cheese topping is browned at the edges, about 30 minutes.