Description
This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a delicious and hearty Mexican-inspired dish featuring layers of tender shredded chicken seasoned with taco spices, soft flour tortillas, enchilada sauce, onions, and melted cheddar cheese, baked to perfection for a comforting meal that serves the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Enchilada Sauce
- 2.5 cups enchilada sauce
Tortillas
- 8 – 8 inch flour tortillas
Chicken Mixture
- 2 lbs shredded chicken
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- ¼ cup water
Cheese
- 12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken Mixture: In a skillet over medium-high heat, combine the shredded chicken, diced onions, taco seasoning, and ¼ cup of water. Cook for about 5 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates and the flavors meld together.
- Prepare Casserole Base: Grease an 11×9 inch casserole dish. Pour ½ cup of enchilada sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish. Then lay down two of the flour tortillas side by side, covering the base completely.
- Add First Layer: Spread one-third of the cooked chicken mixture over the tortillas. Drizzle ½ cup of enchilada sauce on top, followed by sprinkling 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat layering two more times by adding two tortillas, one-third of the chicken mixture, ½ cup enchilada sauce, and 1 cup cheese each time.
- Top Layer: Finish by placing the last two tortillas on top. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly across the top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture or use a spicy enchilada sauce.
- You can substitute the flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a layer of black beans or corn between the layers can enhance the texture and nutrition.
