The Complete Guide to Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit with Chicken: Calories, Nutrition & Preparation Tips

Hey there, foodies! Today I’m diving deep into something many of us grab when we need a quick Mexican-inspired dinner – the Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit. Specifically, we’re looking at what happens calorie-wise when you prepare it as directed with chicken. If you’re watching your calories or just curious about what’s in your dinner, this guide is for you!

What’s in the Box?

Before we talk calories, let’s break down what actually comes in that familiar yellow box:

• 6 flour tortillas
• Enchilada sauce
• Seasoning mix

Pretty simple, right? You provide the chicken and any extras you might want (like cheese), and dinner is practically done!

Calorie Breakdown: The Full Picture

When prepared as directed with chicken, a serving of Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit contains 390 calories. This is based on the typical serving size which includes

• 1½ tortillas
• ¼ cup enchilada sauce
• 2 teaspoons seasoning mix
• Plus the chicken you’ve added

The nutritional analysis from CalorieKing specifies this serving size, so we know exactly what we’re working with

Macronutrient Profile

Let’s break down those 390 calories into their macronutrient components:

Looking at the percentage breakdown from Eat This Much

• 37% of calories come from fat
• 28% of calories come from carbs
• 35% of calories come from protein

I’d say that’s a pretty balanced meal for something that comes from a box! The high protein content (34g) is particularly impressive and comes primarily from the chicken you add.

More Nutritional Details

Some other nutritional facts worth noting:

• Saturated Fat: 7g (35% DV)
• Trans Fat: There’s some discrepancy here – CalorieKing lists 1.5g while Eat This Much shows 2g
• Cholesterol: 90mg (30% DV)
• Sodium: 1200mg (50-52% DV) – this is definitely on the high side!
• Sugars: 3g
• Calcium: 150mg (15% DV)

The sodium content is definitely something to be aware of – at over 50% of your daily recommended intake, it’s quite high. This is typical of packaged foods, but still worth noting if you’re watching your salt intake.

Calorie Burning Time

If you’re wondering how much exercise it would take to burn off those 390 calories, CalorieKing provides some helpful estimates (based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs):

• Swimming: 33 minutes
• Jogging: 45 minutes
• Cycling: 60 minutes
• Walking: 108 minutes

So a nice post-dinner walk could help balance things out!

Kit-Only Nutrition (Before Adding Chicken)

Curious about just the kit itself before adding chicken? According to the Old El Paso product page, the kit alone (1½ tortillas, ½ cup enchilada sauce, 2 tsp seasoning mix) contains:

• Calories: 160
• Total Fat: 4g (5% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 2g (10% DV)
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 850mg (37% DV)
• Total Carbohydrates: 27g (10% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 1g (5% DV)
• Total Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 3g

This means the chicken you add contributes approximately 230 calories and 31g of protein to the final dish. The chicken also adds most of the fat and cholesterol.

How to Prepare It (The Official Way)

According to the package instructions, here’s how to make 6 enchiladas:

You’ll Need:

• 1 lb uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup water
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese (3 oz)
• Aluminum foil

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F for glass or nonstick pan (425°F for aluminum pan).
2. Cut chicken into ¼ to ½-inch pieces. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until no longer pink.
3. Add water and seasoning mix. Cook uncovered 4-8 minutes until thickened.
4. Grease your baking pan. Spoon about ⅓ cup chicken filling onto each tortilla and roll up.
5. Place enchiladas seam-side down in the pan. Pour both pouches of enchilada sauce over top and spread evenly.
6. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and enchiladas are heated through.

My Personal Tips for Making It Healthier

I’ve made this kit many times, and here are some ways I personally tweak it to make it a bit healthier:

1. Use less cheese – The recipe calls for ¾ cup, but you can get away with ½ cup and still have plenty of cheesy goodness.
2. Add vegetables – I like to sauté some bell peppers, onions, and sometimes zucchini with the chicken to boost the nutrition and volume.
3. Use cooking spray instead of butter – Saves some calories and saturated fat.
4. Opt for whole wheat tortillas – If you’re willing to swap out the included tortillas, whole wheat ones will add more fiber.
5. Add black beans – Mix some rinsed black beans into the chicken filling to add fiber and make the meat go further.

Comparing to Homemade

If you’re wondering whether it’s “worth it” to use the kit versus making enchiladas from scratch, here’s my two cents:

The convenience factor is huge. On busy weeknights, I love having a kit I can throw together in under 30 minutes. The calorie count isn’t bad for a packaged dinner option, and the protein content is excellent.

The main downsides are the sodium content and some of the processed ingredients. When I have time, I make enchiladas from scratch with my own sauce, which lets me control the salt and avoid preservatives.

Bottom Line: Is It a Good Choice?

So, is the Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit (prepared with chicken) a good choice for your dinner table? Here’s my take:

Pros:

• Convenient and quick to prepare
• Good protein content (34g)
• Moderate calorie count (390 per serving)
• Decent source of calcium (15% DV)
• Relatively balanced macronutrients

Cons:

• High sodium (over 50% of daily value)
• Contains some processed ingredients
• Trans fat content (1.5-2g)

For an occasional dinner, especially on busy nights, I think it’s a reasonable choice. Just be mindful of your sodium intake for the rest of the day, and consider adding some veggies to round out the meal.

FAQ About Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit

Q: Can I use beef instead of chicken?
A: Absolutely! The kit works great with ground beef or shredded beef too. The calorie count will vary slightly depending on the fat content of your beef.

Q: How many servings does one box make?
A: The box makes about 6 enchiladas, which is approximately 4 servings (1½ enchiladas per serving).

Q: Is this kit gluten-free?
A: No, the kit contains wheat ingredients in the flour tortillas.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes! Prepared enchiladas freeze quite well. Just wrap them tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Q: What sides go well with these enchiladas?
A: I like to serve mine with a simple green salad, some Spanish rice, or refried beans. All are great options to complete the meal!

Conclusion

We all have those nights when we need something quick and tasty for dinner, and the Old El Paso Enchilada Dinner Kit definitely fits the bill. At 390 calories per serving when prepared with chicken, it’s a moderate calorie option that provides a satisfying amount of protein.

While the sodium content is something to be mindful of, there are ways to make this kit work within a healthy eating plan. Add some veggies, use a bit less cheese, and pair it with a fresh salad to create a more balanced meal.

What’s your favorite way to customize boxed dinner kits? Do you have any special add-ins that make your enchiladas extra special? Share your thoughts below!