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Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole- 2 Ways

Our Chicken Enchilada Casserole is delicious and easy to make. This recipe includes two different assembly methods. You can either fill and roll the tortillas or layer it lasagna style.

Try using our Homemade Enchilada Sauce. There is really nothing like the versatility and customizing you can do with homemade sauces. The flavor is richer and always makes a noticeable difference.

Enchilada Casserole
Fill and roll the tortillas for a yummy pan of chicken enchilada casserole

Watch our video tutorial for how to make these delicious Enchiladas two ways

How do you make really good Chicken Enchilada?

Fresh, good quality ingredients is key when making a pan of delicious Chicken Enchiladas. Homemade enchilada sauce is easy to make and will make a huge difference in the flavor quality and richness of the spices.

High quality melting cheese is important for enchiladas. Look for a blend of Mexican cheeses. The top four choices include Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, and Queso.

Should I bake Enchiladas covered or uncovered?

Enchiladas are typically baked covered in foil until heated through, and then finished uncovered to allow the cheese to fully melt and brown slightly.

What do you serve with Enchiladas?

Enchiladas are a fantastic Mexican style main dish that are well loved and wonderfully versatile. Here is a list of our favorite ideas for sides and snacks to enjoy with this meal.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

You are going to love how versatile and easy this recipe is.

You can make it with raw chicken meat cooked and shredded or pick up a pack of packaged pre-shredded rotisserie chicken meat at your grocery deli.

Do you want an even heartier all in one pan dinner? Add in a can or black beans, black olives or kernel corn. Need the carbs lower? Use low carb tortillas.

The Rolled Tortilla Method
The rolled assembly method garnished with olives, cilantro and Jalapeño peppers.

Traditional Enchilada Assembly

We assembled these Enchiladas in the traditional rolled style for a classic feel. We topped with fresh cilantro and jalapenos for added flavor and a bit of spice.

Lasagna Style Assembly

This assembly style creates a 9 x 13 pan of this hearty filling and delicious Mexican dinner. More of a scoop and serve meal with all of the scrumptious flavors of Chicken Enchiladas.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole With Cilantro And JalapeÑO For Garnish
The Mexican Lasagna style. Simply make the layers and bake. Quick and easy.

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Enchilada Casserole
Yield: 12 servings

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Chicken enchilada casserole with homemade enchilada sauce. This meal is delicious and easy. This recipe uses healthful, fresh ingredients. Recipe links to make it entirely from scratch.

Ingredients

  • 12 tortillas (Size to fit your pan-either flour or corn)
  • 4 Cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
  • 4 Cups cheese (grated finely)
  • 3 Cups enchilada sauce ( 28 oz. Can is fine)
  • 1/2 Cup onion, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic, minced

for the Chicken Seasoning

  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cumin (or paprika, Not smoked)
  • 2 Tablespoons water or chicken broth
  • 1 Tablespoon black pepper

Instructions

Prep:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Lightly grease a 13x9 glass baking dish.Oil Pan
  3. Mix together the chicken and seasoning in a large bowl reducing the chicken to small shreds completely covered in seasoning. Stirring Chicken And Spices Mixture
  4. Add onion and garlic, 1 cup of enchilada sauce and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.Stirring Completed Chicken Mixture-Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  5. Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce (about 1/2 Cup) over the bottom of your oiled 13 x 9 casserole dish.Spreading Enchilada Sauce On Bottom Of Casserole Dish


Rolled Tortilla Assembly Method: The Rolled Tortilla Method

  1. Scoop large spoonfuls of chicken mixture into a flour tortilla. Here is our flour tortilla recipe, roll up and place in baking dish. Repeat until all mixture is used and baking dish is packed with prepared tortillas.
  2. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. NOTE: Use only the amount of sauce that works for you if presentation is important.
  3. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce.As desired
  4. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Check to see if cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling. If not, add another 10 minutes to the timer. If the cheese is brown, but the casserole is not done, cover with tinfoil for the last 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven, let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
  6. Garnish the top with chopped fresh cilantro and peppers or olives as desired.
  7. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, refried beans and rice if desired.


Mexican Lasagna Style Assembly Steps:Baked Chicken Enchilada Casserole

  1. Cut your tortillas so they make a complete even layer in the bottom of the pan over the enchilada sauce.Spreading Enchilada Sauce On Bottom Of Casserole Dish
  2. Layer HALF the prepared chicken mixture over the tortillas.First Chicken Layer
  3. Pour evenly 1 Cup of the remaining enchilada sauce over the chicken layer.Layer Chicken Over Sauce. Pour Sauce Over Chicken
  4. Layer tortillas over the enchilada sauce.
  5. Repeat the chicken layer with all the remaining chicken mixture.Layer Tortillas Over Chicken- Then Sauce
  6. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top of chicken.
  7. Top with remaining cheese (as desired) in an even layer.Evenly Layering Cheese As Topp Layer-Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  8. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Foil Covered Casserole Dish
  9. Bake uncovered an additional 10 minutes to brown it.Bake Uncovered To Brown
  10. Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes while you garnish the top as desired.Chicken Enchilada Casserole With Red Towel


Serving Suggestions:

  1. Sour cream dolloped on top
  2. Jalapeño peppers slices arranged on top.
  3. Chopped chives or green onion tops.
  4. Salas and chips on the side.
  5. Refried beans and Mexican rice go well with this dinner.

Notes

You can use any size tortilla for the Mexican Lasagna assembly method. Just cut them to fit your pan.

Suggestions for add ins:


If you want to make this a one pan dinner here are some add ins that create a complete meal and increase the flavor structure.

  • black olives
  • 14 oz. can kernel corn
  • 14 oz can black beans

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 401Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 62mgSodium 1148mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 3gSugar 3gProtein 20g

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HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

For directions and a printable recipe for the enchilada sauce go here

Enchilada Sauce
homemade enchilada sauce

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