Description
This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a flavorful, layered dish featuring tender shredded chicken seasoned with taco spices, wrapped in flour tortillas, smothered in rich enchilada sauce, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole offers the festive flavors of classic Mexican enchiladas baked to golden perfection in an easy-to-prepare casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Layers
- 2.5 cups Enchilada sauce
- 8 – 8 inch Flour tortillas
- 12 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
Chicken Filling
- 2 lbs Chicken, shredded
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning
- ½ cup Yellow onion, diced
- ¼ cup Water
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Chicken Filling: In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine shredded chicken, diced onions, taco seasoning, and ¼ cup of water. Cook for about 5 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the flavors meld together.
- Prepare the Casserole Base: Grease an 11×9 inch casserole dish and spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom. Then lay two flour tortillas to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Assemble the First Layer: Spread one-third of the cooked chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas. Drizzle ½ cup of enchilada sauce on top, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Create Two More Layers: Repeat the layering process two more times by adding tortillas, chicken filling, enchilada sauce, and cheese accordingly.
- Add the Final Layers: Place the last two tortillas on top of the layered chicken mixture, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over them, and finish by sprinkling the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and bubble.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture or use a spicy enchilada sauce.
- You can substitute corn tortillas for flour tortillas if you prefer a gluten-free option.
- Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut for this recipe.
