Chicken Enchiladas Casserole: Corn Tortillas Layered To Perfection

Chicken enchilada casserole is a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for a family meal or a party. It is made by layering corn or flour tortillas, chicken, beans, cheese, and enchilada sauce in a baking dish and baking it in the oven. The recipe is flexible and can be customised with different fillings and toppings, such as vegetables, chillies, or sour cream. The casserole can also be made ahead of time and frozen, making it a convenient option for busy nights.

Chicken filling: shredded chicken, seasoned with salt, pepper, and green chiles

Chicken enchilada casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a party or for enjoying as leftovers. The recipe is flexible and can be customised with your favourite fillings. The chicken filling is a key component of this dish, and here is a detailed guide to preparing it:

Firstly, you will need to shred your cooked chicken. You can either bake or fry chicken breasts or thighs, or use a rotisserie chicken. For a slow cooker option, place oil, chicken, chile peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, lime juice, salt, and pepper in the cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours until the chicken is falling apart. Then, shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the cooker.

Next, prepare your filling by combining the shredded chicken with salt, pepper, and green chiles in a bowl. You can also add black beans or other vegetables like onion, red bell pepper, and corn. If you are using onion and bell pepper, sauté them first before adding to the chicken mixture. For a creamy filling, include cream cheese or other cheese of your choice, such as Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack.

Finally, add some enchilada sauce to the chicken mixture. You can use a simple tomato-based sauce or make it more authentic with a chili base. For a spicier option, add chili powder to your sauce. Now your chicken filling is ready to be layered into your casserole with corn tortillas and cheese!

Corn tortillas: cut in half to layer more evenly

Layering corn tortillas that have been cut in half is a great way to make a chicken enchilada casserole. This method ensures that the tortillas fit snugly in the baking dish, creating a more even and compact layer. The tortillas act as a base for the other ingredients, providing structure and texture to the casserole.

To begin constructing the casserole, spread a layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. This sauce not only adds flavour but also helps the tortillas soften and hold together. Then, place the corn tortillas that have been cut in half to completely cover the sauce layer. It may be necessary to overlap the tortilla halves to ensure complete coverage.

After the first layer of tortillas, you can add the other ingredients. Typically, a chicken enchilada casserole includes shredded chicken, beans, cheese, and other vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and corn. You can season the chicken with salt, pepper, and green chiles to enhance the flavour. Repeat the layers of sauce, tortillas, and fillings until you reach the top of the dish, ending with a final layer of tortillas, sauce, and cheese.

By cutting the corn tortillas in half, you can create a more even and stable base for the casserole. This technique also allows for better portioning and ensures that each serving includes a tortilla layer. The tortillas provide a nice contrast in texture to the other soft and creamy ingredients, making the casserole a delightful blend of flavours and textures.

Cheese: shredded Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, Pepperjack, or Colby Jack

When making a chicken enchilada casserole with corn tortillas, you can use shredded Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack cheese.

Shredded Mexican blend cheese typically includes medium yellow cheddar, medium white cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese. This blend is a good option if you want a mix of different cheeses in your casserole.

Monterey Jack, sometimes shortened to Jack, is a semi-hard cheese made using cow's milk. It has a mild flavor with a slight sweetness and is a good option if you want a cheese with a milder taste. It is also one of the few kinds of cheese that is safe for migraine sufferers due to its low tyramine content.

Pepper Jack cheese is a derivative of Monterey Jack, with the addition of jalapeño and other chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs, giving it a spicy kick. It is a good option if you want to add some heat to your casserole.

Colby-Jack, also known as Co-jack or Cojack, is a marble cheese made from blending Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. It has a mild to mellow flavor and a semi-soft to semi-hard texture, depending on its aging time. It is a good option if you want a blend of two different cheeses with a more subtle flavor.

When making your chicken enchilada casserole, you can choose any of these cheeses based on your preference for flavor, spiciness, and texture. You can shred the cheese and layer it between the tortillas, chicken mixture, and enchilada sauce.

Beans: black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans

Chicken enchilada casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is naturally gluten-free. It is made by layering corn tortillas with enchilada sauce, chicken filling, and cheese. The chicken filling typically includes shredded chicken, salt, pepper, and green chiles, and you can add other vegetables like onions, bell peppers, corn, and spinach.

When it comes to beans, you have a few options: black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans. If you want to include black beans, simply add drained black beans to the chicken filling along with the other ingredients. You can also add some extra veggies like spinach and corn if you like. This will give you a delicious and easy-to-make chicken and black bean enchilada casserole.

For pinto beans, you can use one can of pinto beans along with another can of beans of your choice. This could be black beans or refried beans, depending on your preference. The beans will be added to the chicken filling, creating a hearty and tasty layer in your casserole.

If you prefer refried beans, you can make a bean and cheese filling by mixing the refried beans with cheese and onion. You can use a microwave-safe bowl and heat the mixture until the cheese is melted. You can also sauté the onion and add diced jalapeños for some extra spice and flavor. This bean and cheese mixture will then be used as a filling for your enchiladas, creating a delicious and satisfying refried bean enchilada casserole.

No matter which type of bean you choose, your chicken enchilada casserole will be a flavorful and comforting dish that your family and friends will surely enjoy. It's a flexible recipe that allows you to customize the ingredients to your liking, so feel free to experiment and find your perfect combination of beans and other fillings.

Enchilada sauce: homemade or store-bought

Chicken enchilada casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is naturally gluten-free. It is made by layering corn tortillas, chicken filling, and cheese in a baking dish, similar to how you would layer lasagna. The key to this dish is the enchilada sauce, which can be either homemade or store-bought.

If you're short on time or can't find a good enchilada sauce recipe, you can always opt for a store-bought option. Many brands offer canned or bottled enchilada sauce that can be used as a convenient alternative. However, some people find that store-bought sauces can be disappointing, lacking flavour or authenticity.

Making your own enchilada sauce at home is a great way to ensure that your chicken enchilada casserole is packed with flavour. Homemade enchilada sauce is known to make all the difference, taking the dish to the next level. It is easier than you might think and can be made in about 10 minutes. The process involves heating oil in a skillet, stirring in spices, and gradually adding liquids until you have a tangy, zesty sauce. You can even make a double batch and freeze half for future use.

To make a delicious red enchilada sauce with authentic Mexican flavour, you can follow this simple recipe: combine a tablespoon of ground chili powder (adjustable based on spice preference), flour, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and optional cinnamon in a small bowl. Warm some oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat until hot. Add a light sprinkle of the flour-spice mixture and cook until fragrant and deepened in colour. Gradually stir in water, tomato sauce, and any additional seasonings until you achieve the perfect consistency.

Whether you choose to make your own enchilada sauce or opt for a store-bought option, the key is to find what works best for you and your taste preferences. However, if you're looking for an authentic, flavourful experience, homemade enchilada sauce might be the way to go.

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