An Easy And Decent Chicken Enchilada Casserole

IMG_9512.JPG

Remember when we made that crockpot salsa chicken? That was a great night. It was so amazing that we ended up having a bunch of leftovers. As only the greatest of nights will produce.

Leftover salsa chicken has pretty endless possibilities.

As endless as the storyline for this post.

I was actually squabbling with my husband when I served this casserole. I cannot remember what the argument was about. I am sure it was not my fault. It always never is. I loved the casserole. His sole comment at dinner was, “It’s decent.”

My reply was not.

Before I posted this recipe, I made it again. I wanted to be sure it was good. It is. I like it. I really like it. It has a wonderful crunchy top. Good creamy flavor.

It is decent.

Ingredients:

2-3 cups leftover salsa chicken (recipe here) or diced rot. chicken
2 cups plus 1/2 cup (set aside) shredded monterey jack cheese
1 10 oz. can green enchilada sauce
4 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 4 oz. can of green chiles
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4-1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock (I have used water and it was fine)
9 corn tortillas
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup crumbled tortilla chips
2 Tbsp. Chopped cilantro
Pinch of paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pour your vegetable oil in a small skillet and heat to hot enough to fry tortillas. With tongs, lay each tortilla in oil for about five seconds on each side. Keep tortilla flat. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

IMG_9517.JPG

In a skillet over medium heat, combine cream cheese, chiles, enchilada sauce, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder until well-combined. Add sour cream and mix until incorporated. Add chicken stock until it is a looser consistency. Turn off heat.

IMG_9518.JPG

In a 9 X 9 casserole dish, pour a little of the sauce in the bottom of the pan. Lay four tortillas in the bottom of the pan until it is covered. Tear one tortilla and fit into remaining holes. Pour 1/2 of the sauce over the tortilla. Layer half of the chicken on top of the sauce. Layer one cup of monterey jack cheese. Place four tortillas over the cheese. With the remaining pieces from the previously torn tortilla, fill in any gaps. Layer the remaining sauce over the tortilla. Layer the remaining chicken. Spread one cup of monterey jack cheese over top.

IMG_9513.JPG

Place casserole in the oven and bake for twenty five minutes.

IMG_9503.JPG

In a bowl combine tortilla chips, paprika and the remaining 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese.

IMG_9511.JPG

When casserole has baked for twenty five minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle tortilla chip cheese mixture over the top. Place back in oven for five minutes.

IMG_9508.JPG

Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top.

IMG_9507.JPG

IMG_9510.JPG

I served mine with Mexican rice.

To a grumbling husband.

It did not, miraculously, descend into his lap*.

I, and this dish, are of the decent sort, after all.

*Plus, I happen to really love the guy. I would hate to waste a serving of casserole ruin his lap. ; )

8 thoughts on “An Easy And Decent Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    • Thank you Liana. We have a huge Mexican food aisle in our stores in California. It never occurred to me that maybe not all stores have that. We are really lucky. There are many different brands of enchilada sauce here. Let me know if you find it. There are so many good recipes out there to use it in. Another favorite of ours is an chicken enchilada pasta I found on Etsy. Mmmmmmm. It is too late for me to be this hungry! : )

      Have a lovely week!

      Jenni

    • Thank you Brynne! That is so sweet that your husband is still talking about the tacos. We had them again a few nights ago, too. Please let me know if you kake this. I really love it. I want to know if it is decent. ; )

      Have a great rest of the week!

      Jenni

    • Thank you Melodee! The tortilla chips are the best part. They add a yummy crunch. I am a sucker for a crunchy top on a casserole. I appreciate the comment. So sweet!

      Have an excellent week!

      Jenni

  1. Someday I am going to make one of your recipes. I am such a lazy cook. I make the same things over and over. This recipe looks super yummy. I will just substitute beans for the chicken. I do love recipes that call for cream cheese!

    • Thank you Cynthia. I love cream cheese, too. I was just fantasizing of a dessert recipe I made up in my head. I want to try it this week! It has cream cheese. Of course it could go terribly wrong, but I have to try it. Beans are my favorite. They are the one thing my kids will absolutely not eat. I cannot figure it out.

      I hope you are having sweet dreams!

      Jenni

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *