Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Plate with a slice of chicken enchilada casserole, salsa rice and fresh cilantro on it.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Erin Jensen
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner/Entree
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Description

Our delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe is a delicious weeknight dinner idea! Feed a crowd or enjoy the leftovers all week long!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 4 heaping cups chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 8oz can green chiles 
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Approx. 2 cups red enchilada sauce (option to sub with green enchilada sauce)
  • 12 regular size tortillas, cut in half (flour or corn)
  • 15oz can refried beans (black beans work too)
  • Approx. 3 cups shredded cheese of your choice 

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. Chicken Mixture: Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat the pan. Add garlic & onion; move around hot pan until softened, 1-2 minutes. Add chicken, green chiles, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cumin. Stir until combined and chicken is warmed through. 
  3. Build Casserole: Take a 9×13 baking pan and add about a tablespoon or so of enchilada sauce on the bottom. Top with a layer of tortillas (cut them in half and place the cut sides along the edge of the pan – two on each long side and one on each short side with one covering the middle). Continue layering by adding 1/2 the refried beans, 1/2 the chicken mixture, 1/2 cup enchilada sauce and then 1/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers: tortillas, beans, chicken, sauce, cheese. End with another layer of tortillas, the remaining sauce and then the remaining cheese.
  4. Bake: Spray a piece of foil with olive oil or your favorite non-stick cooking spray and cover the pan (non-stick side down). Place in the oven, middle rack, for 30 minutes. Remove foil and return to oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is a bit bubbly. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.  
  5. Serve: We love serving this with some sour cream, fresh cilantro and some Salsa Rice

Notes

  • Feel free to halve this: as written this recipe makes quite a bit … enough where you will have leftovers. Feel free to halve the recipe if you want – cook time will be the same! 
  • Storage: any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5 days.
  • Gluten-Free: to make this gluten-free ensure your enchilada sauce is gluten-free and use corn tortillas.
  • Dairy-Free: to make this dairy-free simply use your favorite dairy-free cheese. 
  • Enchilada Sauce: we love our homemade red enchilada sauce (we also have a green enchilada sauce), but feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand too. 
  • Serving: Serve this with some dairy free sour cream, fresh cilantro and some Salsa Rice

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6oz
  • Calories: 231
  • Sugar: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 506.6 mg
  • Fat: 12.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15.5 g
  • Protein: 15.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 48.7 mg