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Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

4.6 from 137 reviews

This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a flavorful, easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish featuring layers of shredded chicken mixed with enchilada sauce and green chiles, layered between corn tortillas and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this baked casserole delivers a delicious combination of savory, cheesy, and mildly spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

  • 4 cups shredded chicken (or pulled rotisserie chicken)
  • 10 ounces red enchilada sauce (1 can), plus 1 tablespoon reserved
  • 4 ounces chopped green chiles (1 can)

Other Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 corn tortillas (or 12 street taco sized corn tortillas)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425˚F to ensure it’s hot and ready to evenly bake the casserole.
  2. Prepare Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce (reserve 1 tablespoon for later), and chopped green chiles. Mix thoroughly to ensure the flavors are well distributed.
  3. Layer the Base: Pour the reserved 1 tablespoon of enchilada sauce into an 8×8-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly across the bottom. This creates a flavorful base and prevents sticking.
  4. First Tortilla Layer: Place half of the corn tortillas in the bottom of the casserole dish. Cut tortillas if needed to fit the dish neatly.
  5. First Filling Layer: Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  6. Repeat Layers: Add the remaining tortillas as a second layer, followed by the rest of the chicken mixture, and finish with the remaining cheese.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or pico de gallo according to your preference, then serve warm.

Notes

  • You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to make this recipe quick and easy.
  • If you prefer a spicier casserole, opt for enchilada sauce with added heat or add diced jalapeños.
  • Corn tortillas can be lightly toasted in a dry skillet before layering for extra texture and to prevent sogginess.
  • Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with Mexican blend cheese for more authentic flavor.
  • This casserole keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: chicken enchilada casserole, Mexican casserole, baked enchiladas, easy chicken dinner, cheesy enchiladas