Our easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole is full of delicious flavor and can be made in two different ways; You can either fill and roll the tortillas or layer it lasagna style for more of a casserole style dinner. Combining a variety of vibrant spices, fresh chicken, cheese, and your favorite tortillas; this meal can be made fast for a busy weeknight dinner.
We love using our Homemade Enchilada Sauce for this chicken enchilada bake. The flavor is vibrant and rich, and it really elevates this dinner. If you are looking to make this an easy weeknight meal just follow the recipe as directed and enjoy!
Watch our video tutorial for how to make these delicious enchiladas two ways
Both of these methods are enjoyed by our families and choosing which method really just comes down to personal preference. The traditional rolled enchiladas are easy to enjoy in an individual serve style along with your favorite Mexican sides.
The layered lasagna method provides are great casserole freezer meal option that is easy to share with friends and family, and makes a wonderful family dinner.
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.
Adding extra diary will result in a super creamy sauce and less of an acidic and spicy bite. Cream cheese, plain yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese can all be added into the meat and sauce mixture for add moisture and an indulgent consistency.
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.
- Serve with our Mexican Cornbread
- Warm Cilantro Lime Rice
- Serve with warmed tortilla chips and our Homemade Salsa
- Enjoy with a bowl of Homemade Refried Beans
- Sip a Mexican Martini
- Relax with a classic Cadillac Margarita
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 of black beans, black olives or kernel corn. For a lower carb count use low carb tortillas. Chicken enchiladas are versatile and can be kept simple and straightforward, or made into a loaded and decadent dinner that provides a satisfying all in one meal.
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. This method keeps with the traditional flavors and textures that enchiladas are loved for.
You can use store bought tortillas for an easier recipe; or, make your own homemade flour and butter tortillas or our scrumptious sourdough tortillas. Making your own tortillas not only improves the texture and consistency of your dish, it also elevates the flavor and brings a luscious depth that everyone notices.
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. You can make them even creamier by using yogurt or sour cream to make a delicious sour cream chicken enchilada meal.
The layers will be gooey and creamy for a satisfying casserole style scoop of delicious enchiladas.
Chicken-Enchilada-Casserole Recipe
If you print out the recipe the pictures will not print. This is to save you paper and ink.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
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:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Lightly grease a 13x9 glass baking dish.
- Mix together the chicken and seasoning in a large bowl reducing the chicken to small shreds completely covered in seasoning.
- Add onion and garlic, 1 cup of enchilada sauce and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
- Pour a thin layer of enchilada sauce (about 1/2 Cup) over the bottom of your oiled 13 x 9 casserole dish.
Rolled Tortilla Assembly Method: 
- 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.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. NOTE: Use only the amount of sauce that works for you if presentation is important.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce.As desired
- 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.
- Remove from oven, let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish the top with chopped fresh cilantro and peppers or olives as desired.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream, refried beans and rice if desired.
Mexican Lasagna Style Assembly Steps:
- Cut your tortillas so they make a complete even layer in the bottom of the pan over the enchilada sauce.
- Layer HALF the prepared chicken mixture over the tortillas.
- Pour evenly 1 Cup of the remaining enchilada sauce over the chicken layer.
- Layer tortillas over the enchilada sauce.
- Repeat the chicken layer with all the remaining chicken mixture.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top of chicken.
- Top with remaining cheese (as desired) in an even layer.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Bake uncovered an additional 10 minutes to brown it.
- Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes while you garnish the top as desired.
Serving Suggestions:
- Sour cream dolloped on top
- Jalapeño peppers slices arranged on top.
- Chopped chives or green onion tops.
- Salas and chips on the side.
- 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
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 401Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 62mgSodium 1148mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 3gSugar 3gProtein 20g
HOMEMADE ENCHILADA SAUCE
For directions and a printable recipe for the enchilada sauce go here
Check out these other favorite dinner recipes!
- Mexican chicken and rice dinner
- Chicken burrata tomato dinner
- Sausage pasta skillet dinner
- Dorito taco pie dinner
- Shrimp and veggie sheet pan dinner
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casserole recipe adapted from Just A Pinch
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