I'm going to start this review by being totally honest: I don't really like enchiladas. I never crave them, I never order them, and if I see them at a party, I usually walk right past. So when I say I made these Trader Joe's Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas for lunch one day, just know it was entirely for my kids. And thank goodness I did-because they loved them.
These enchiladas were a random freezer find while I was doing my usual Trader Joe's stroll. You know the one, where you go in for bananas and leave with mushroom umami seasoning, three types of frozen dumplings, and some plantain crisps you forgot you already have at home. They looked easy, had a pretty short ingredient list, and-bonus-were already fully cooked. Sold.
Taste and Texture
So let me report back with the most important thing first: my kids absolutely devoured these. They are both in elementary school and not exactly adventurous eaters, so I consider this a pretty big win. The sauce was mild enough that it didn't scare them off, but had enough flavor to keep it interesting.
The filling is mostly shredded chicken-not super chunky, but soft and moist-with cheese, corn, and little bits of peppers. It's all wrapped in soft corn tortillas and topped with salsa verde and a good layer of melty cheese.
One of my kids said, "It's spicy but in a good way." The other one just nodded and kept eating, which honestly tells me more than any actual review could.
For me? Well, I still don't like enchiladas, but I can say this: they tasted fresh (for something frozen), not soggy or weird, and the sauce was tangy with a little jalapeño kick. If I had to eat an enchilada, I'd be okay eating this one. That's high praise from someone who would rather eat a tofu nugget dipped in mustard than an enchilada.
Preparation (Heating)
These are frozen, so you can bake or microwave them. I went with the oven method since I had the time. They took about 40 minutes at 350°F, which gave me plenty of time to do dishes, prep a salad I forgot to serve, and scroll Instagram while pretending I was being productive. They came out bubbling and smelling amazing.
The cheese on top browned just a little at the edges (chef's kiss), and the sauce thickened into something more like gravy. You could totally microwave these if you're short on time, but they'll probably turn out softer and a little messier. Still edible, just less "Instagram story" ready.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Super convenient-just bake and serve
- The salsa verde sauce is flavorful without being too spicy
- My kids actually liked them (!!!)
- Clean ingredient list-no weird preservatives
- High in protein (49g per package)
Cons:
- A bit pricey for two enchiladas
- If you don't like corn tortillas, you probably won't love these
- They're not the prettiest once cooked
- It's only two enchiladas per box-might not be enough for big appetites
Location in Store
You can find them in the freezer section, near the burritos and the frozen tamales. I've also seen them randomly hanging out next to the Mandarin Orange Chicken, so you might need to do a little digging depending on your store layout. Definitely not with the refrigerated enchiladas, so don't get confused.
Similar Products
If you liked these, you might also want to try:
- Trader Joe's Chicken Chile Verde Burritos - a similar flavor but handheld and great for lunchboxes
- Trader Joe's Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos - less saucy, but a hit with my kids
- Trader Joe's Chicken Mole
Final Verdict
These are now officially on my "back pocket emergency lunch" list. When you've got two tired, hangry kids coming home from school and you don't feel like cooking anything that requires more than one step, these are the heroes you didn't know you needed. I still wouldn't eat them for fun, but my kids? They'd eat them again tomorrow if I let them.
So if you're a parent, busy human, enchilada fan, or just someone who wants a shortcut to a solid hot meal-add a couple of boxes to your freezer stash.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5-knocking off a star because I'm petty and still don't like enchiladas)
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