Twisted A.1. Cherry Chicken Enchiladas #A1

A.1. Original Sauce Recipe Contest Entry. A.1. sauce, shredded chicken thighs, and two types of cheese are encased in corn tortillas and enrobed in a dark chocolate cherry-studded enchilada sauce for a brand new twist on the traditional! Zesty, tangy, savory, and just a little sweet, these enchiladas are perfect on a cold night or with a frosty margarita.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 16 enchiladas

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon canola oil
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped pitted fresh bing cherry
• 1  cup  diced red onion, divided
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 19  ounces  medium  red enchilada sauce
• 3  tablespoons  chopped dark chocolate
• 2  cups  cooked shredded boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 3  tablespoons  A.1. Original Sauce
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 1 1⁄2 cups cottage cheese
• 2  cups  shredded monterey jack cheese, divided
• 1  cup  shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 16  corn tortillas, warmed
• 1⁄2 cup  diced fresh tomato

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Liberally coat a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray.
2. Place oil in medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Add cherries, 1/2 cup onion, and chili powder to pan with oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until onions have softened and cherries have begun to release their juices, approximately 2-3 minutes. Turn heat down to medium-low. Pour enchilada sauce into pan with cherry mixture, stirring to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce begins to simmer. Sprinkle chocolate in pan with sauce, stirring until chocolate melts and sauce is uniform. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, stir together shredded chicken and A.1 sauce. Add remaining 1/2 cup onion, salt, pepper, garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, 1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese to bowl. Stir vigorously until combined.
4. Pour 1/4 cup enchilada sauce on bottom of prepared pan to coat. Place several tablespoons chicken mixture in the center of one corn tortilla, rolling around filling and placing in pan, seam-side down. Repeat until all 16 tortillas have been filled and rolled, and pan is full. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas, covering evenly.
5. Sprinkle enchiladas with remaining cheeses. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven for 35-40 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle tomatoes over enchiladas. Return to oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly. Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serves 8.