Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Fiesta in a Dish

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of Tex-Mex without the fuss? Ever had a craving for enchiladas but cba to roll them? This chicken enchilada casserole recipe is your answer.

It is packed with flavour, cheesy, and dead easy to make.

Brief Overview

The Tex-Mex casserole recipe is like a hug in a dish. It's basically enchiladas deconstructed. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. This quick enchilada bake makes 6-8 servings.

Main Benefits

It's a great way to use up leftover chicken, saving you time and money. This is great for feeding the family.

What makes this dish special? It is a super easy chicken enchilada casserole that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole: A Weeknight Winner

Do you need a fuss free dinner? This chicken and cheese bake will soon become a family favourite. It's like a Keto Dinner Recipes Shredded Chicken . But it's also easy to adapt.

The easy chicken enchilada casserole is packed with flavor.

What you'll need for your fiesta: The Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup, 150g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup, 150g)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (15 ounce/425g)
• 1 can corn, drained (15 ounce/425g)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 cups (about 500g) cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut!)
• 10-12 corn tortillas (6 inch/15cm diameter)
• 2 cans red enchilada sauce (10 ounce/283g each, about 2 ½ cups total)
• 2 cups (about 225g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
• Optional: Chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, or guacamole, for serving

Honestly, I once forgot the bell pepper. The dish was still banging. Don't stress if you are missing an ingredient!

Equipment You'll Need

You'll need a skillet, a 9x13 inch baking dish, and your usual measuring bits and bobs. Nothing fancy, promise. I bet you have already got most of it!

I’ve tried this as Keto Recipes Shredded Chicken a few times myself. I always make a big batch and freeze half for later. This is where that dish comes in handy, mate.

This weeknight chicken casserole is a lifesaver. The rotisserie chicken is the key. It saves loads of time. Plus, this casserole ticks all the boxes.

It is cheesy, comforting and satisfying. What's not to love, eh?

Alright, let’s chat about what you'll need for this Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole! This Tex-Mex casserole recipe is dead easy, and the ingredients are pretty straightforward.

Think of it as a culinary hug warm, comforting, and totally satisfying. And hey, if you're after keto recipes shredded chicken or even keto recipes rotisserie chicken , you can totally tweak this to be a cheesy low carb recipes dream, innit?

Ingredients & Equipment

Right then, let’s get this show on the road!

Main Ingredients

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Any decent olive oil will do!
• Onion: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup, 150g). White or yellow, doesn't matter too much, does it?
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Jarred stuff works in a pinch, but fresh is always best, yeah?
• Red Bell Pepper: 1 , chopped (about 1 cup, 150g). Adds a bit of sweetness.
• Black Beans: 1 (15 ounce/425g) can , rinsed and drained. Give 'em a good rinse, mind!
• Corn: 1 (15 ounce/425g) can , drained. Sweetcorn, of course!
• Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon . Adjust to your heat preference, yeah?
• Cumin: ½ teaspoon . Gives it that authentic Tex-Mex casserole recipe flavour!
• Smoked Paprika: ¼ teaspoon . Adds a smoky depth.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Don’t be shy, season generously!
• Shredded Chicken: 3 cups (about 500g) . Rotisserie chicken is your best friend here. For those trying Keto chicken rotisserie recipes , this is a winner. Seriously though, pre-cooked keto recipes shredded chicken makes this easy chicken enchilada casserole .
• Corn Tortillas: 10-12 (6 inch/15cm diameter) . Corn tortillas are what you want for that classic flavour.
• Enchilada Sauce: 2 (10 ounce/283g) cans (about 2 ½ cups total). Red sauce, obvs!
• Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups (about 225g) , shredded. Or a Mexican blend if you're feeling fancy.

Right. So the quality of your chicken makes a massive difference. If you're going the rotisserie chicken route, make sure it’s juicy and well seasoned.

Nobody wants dry chicken in their chicken and cheese bake ! If you're cooking your own, poach it or bake it to keep it tender.

Seasoning Notes

For that killer flavour, don't skip the cumin and chili powder. That's essential to achieving the perfect Tex-Mex casserole recipe taste.

Honestly, a little smoked paprika goes a long way too. For a bit of a kick, chuck in a pinch of cayenne pepper.

If you're missing chili powder, a mix of paprika, cumin, and a dash of cayenne works as a decent substitute.

Equipment Needed

• Large Skillet: For cooking the chicken mixture.
• 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) Baking Dish: For assembling the casserole.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Obvs!
• Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping and dicing.

Don't fret if you don't have the exact baking dish. Any oven safe dish of similar size will do the trick.

A wooden spoon can easily stand in for a fancy spatula. Let’s be honest, who doesn't have a wooden spoon, right? You are so ready to knock out this quick enchilada bake ! This dish is a weeknight chicken casserole game changer.

Cooking Up a Fiesta: Let's Make Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Oh my gosh, are you ready for some proper comfort food? I'm talking about a Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole ! It's Tex-Mex meets British practicality.

Think chicken and cheese bake , but loads easier than faffing about with individual enchiladas. Honestly, it's perfect for a weeknight chicken casserole when you just can't be bothered.

Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row

First, the mise en place is key. Chop your onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic. Drain those beans and corn.

Shred that chicken. I often use rotisserie chicken. It saves so much time! Remember to preheat your oven to 375° F .

Safety first, folks! Don't burn yourself.

step-by-step: Casserole Chaos, Sorted

1. Sauté onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil 'til soft. About 5 minutes .
2. Chuck in the garlic and bell pepper. Cook for 2- 3 minutes .
3. Stir in the beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Season to taste.
4. Add 3 cups shredded chicken. Mix well and heat through.
5. Layer tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese in a baking dish. Start with enchilada sauce, then tortilla, then chicken, and cheese. Repeat!
6. Pour 2 cans of enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with 2 cups of cheese.
7. Bake for 25- 30 minutes . The cheese should be bubbly and golden.
8. Let it rest for 5- 10 minutes before serving. You don't want to burn your tongue!

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Casserole Game

Want a super easy chicken enchilada casserole ? Use pre-shredded cheese. Just make sure it's a good melter. Don't overfill your casserole.

It'll make serving a nightmare. For a spicy kick, add diced green chillies. If you fancy a keto twist, search for keto chicken rotisserie recipes or keto recipes shredded chicken online.

There are plenty of cheesy low carb recipes available. You can easily adapt this into one of your family's keto dinner recipes shredded chicken or one of your keto recipes rotisserie chicken .

So, there you have it! A Tex-Mex casserole recipe that's as easy as pie. Seriously, this quick enchilada bake is a winner.

Enjoy, and don't forget to share. You could even make some on Sunday and have some for the weeknight chicken casserole during the week!

Recipe Notes for Your Chicken Enchilada Casserole Adventure

Alright, before you dive headfirst into this chicken enchilada casserole recipe , let's chat about a few things, yeah? Honestly, these are just little nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up.

Think of them as cheat codes to make this easy chicken enchilada casserole even easier !

Serving Suggestions: Level Up Your Presentation

Think about making this dish special. Plating makes a difference. Dollop some sour cream. Sprinkle fresh cilantro. You know? Makes it look proper fancy! Serve with Mexican rice.

Or maybe refried beans. These go great with this Tex-Mex casserole recipe . A margarita would be a nice touch too.

Just sayin’.

Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh

So, you've got leftovers. Winner! Pop them in the fridge. They'll keep for about three days. Make sure they are covered.

If you wanna freeze it, you can! Wrap it up proper tight. It will last for up to three months.

Reheat it in the oven. Or even in the microwave if you’re in a rush!

Variations: Put Your Own Spin on It

Want to keep it low carb? No problem! This recipe can work if you are looking for keto recipes shredded chicken or even keto dinner recipes shredded chicken .

This easy chicken enchilada casserole can easily be turned into one of many keto chicken rotisserie recipes . You can also find many keto recipes rotisserie chicken .

This recipe can also become one of many cheesy low carb recipes . Simply swap the tortillas for a low-carb alternative.

Loads of options out there! Also, consider using only chicken. You could even leave out the beans. You could even swap the cheddar for monterey jack.

This will make the chicken and cheese bake different.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness Inside

Okay, let's keep it real. This is comfort food! It contains protein and fat. Also, it has carbs. But hey, everything in moderation, yeah? This recipe can also work for weeknight chicken casserole .

Using rotisserie chicken saves time. It has lots of benefits. Plus, it tastes amazing!

Look, making this quick enchilada bake is about more than just following instructions. It's about having fun. It's about putting your own spin on it.

Don't be afraid to experiment. You might just create something amazing! Go on, give it a go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this chicken enchilada casserole recipe ahead of time? I'm a busy bee!

Absolutely, you can! Assemble the casserole as per the instructions, but don't bake it. Cover it tightly with cling film and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, just pop it in the oven you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.

Think of it as your secret weapon for a stress free dinner party, eh?

What's the best way to store leftover chicken enchilada casserole?

Leftovers are brilliant! Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or oven until heated through. You could even portion it out for lunch the next day it's cracking cold, too!

My family isn't keen on spice. How can I make this chicken enchilada casserole recipe milder?

No worries, toning down the spice is easy peasy. Use a mild enchilada sauce (or make your own and control the chili content). Reduce or omit the chili powder and smoked paprika in the chicken mixture.

A dollop of sour cream on top when serving also helps to cool things down a bit like a cucumber sandwich after a particularly fiery curry!

Can I use different types of cheese in this cheesy chicken enchilada casserole: Fiesta in a Dish recipe?

You bet! Cheddar is a classic, but feel free to experiment. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all work beautifully. If you're feeling adventurous, try a little crumbled cotija cheese for a salty kick. Think of it like choosing your favourite topping for a jacket potato go wild!

I'm trying to eat healthier, any tips for making a lighter version of this chicken enchilada casserole recipe?

Good on you for thinking about the healthy side! Use lean chicken breast instead of thigh meat, and use reduced fat cheese. You can also swap out some of the cheese for extra veggies like chopped spinach or zucchini. Another trick is to use whole wheat tortillas for added fiber. Every little helps!

Can I freeze this chicken enchilada casserole?

Yes, you can! Assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Wrap it tightly in several layers of cling film and then in foil, or place it in a freezer safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking, and you might need to add some extra cooking time.

Just think, you can have a brilliant casserole ready to go in an instant!