This Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender chicken, gooey cheese, and flavorful enchilada sauce. It’s layered with tortillas for a delicious and easy-to-make casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal. Ready in about 30 minutes, this casserole is a quick fix to satisfy your cravings for Mexican-inspired flavors!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Cheesy & Comforting – Who can resist layers of melty cheese and savory chicken?
✔ Easy to Make – All you need is one casserole dish and a few ingredients!
✔ Full of Flavor – The enchilada sauce and seasonings bring a zesty kick to every bite.
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – Great for leftovers and feeds a crowd!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 8 corn tortillas, cut into strips or quarters
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: Mix the Chicken Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, green chilies (if using), sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
- Spread a layer of the chicken mixture at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer tortilla strips on top of the chicken mixture, then add another layer of chicken mixture and tortillas, repeating until everything is layered.
Step 4: Top with Cheese
- After the final layer of tortillas, top the casserole with a generous amount of the remaining shredded cheese.
Step 5: Bake
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve hot!
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a side of Mexican rice or refried beans for a complete meal.
- Pair with a simple side salad or guacamole for extra freshness.
- Add sour cream or salsa on top for a tangy contrast.
Tips for the Best Chicken Enchilada Casserole:
✔ Use Rotisserie Chicken – For ease and extra flavor, rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe.
✔ Customize the Heat – Add more chili peppers or jalapeños if you like your casserole spicy!
✔ Make Ahead – You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve!
✔ For Extra Crispy Tortillas – If you want the tortillas extra crispy, pre-bake them in the oven for a few minutes before layering them in the casserole.
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – This casserole freezes well! After assembling, cover it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes.
Recipe Overview:
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 350 | Protein: 25g | Carbohydrates: 20g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
This Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a quick and satisfying meal, perfect for any night of the week! Enjoy the cheesy, spicy, and flavorful layers in every bite.
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Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
This Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender chicken, gooey cheese, and flavorful enchilada sauce. It’s layered with tortillas for a delicious and easy-to-make casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal. Ready in about 30 minutes, this casserole is a quick fix to satisfy your cravings for Mexican-inspired flavors!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional for extra heat)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 8 corn tortillas, cut into strips or quarters
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: Mix the Chicken Filling
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, green chilies (if using), sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
- Spread a layer of the chicken mixture at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer tortilla strips on top of the chicken mixture, then add another layer of chicken mixture and tortillas, repeating until everything is layered.
Step 4: Top with Cheese
- After the final layer of tortillas, top the casserole with a generous amount of the remaining shredded cheese.
Step 5: Bake
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve hot!
Notes
Use Rotisserie Chicken – For ease and extra flavor, rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe.
Customize the Heat – Add more chili peppers or jalapeños if you like your casserole spicy!
Make Ahead – You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve!
For Extra Crispy Tortillas – If you want the tortillas extra crispy, pre-bake them in the oven for a few minutes before layering them in the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Cuisine: Mexican-American