Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This recipe turns enchiladas into a simple, creamy casserole. Tremendous simple to place collectively, and the avocado cream sauce makes this one particular. Severely, you’ll need this sauce on every little thing. I like to avoid wasting a little bit additional and scoop it up with some tortilla chips—so good!

For extra enchilada love, strive our Beef Enchiladas or our Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.

Why Our Recipe

• The creamy avocado sauce is purpose alone to make this recipe!
• Corn tortillas hold this casserole from turning into soggy.
• Use rotisserie or leftover hen to whip up this dish with minimal prep work.

This recipe took place as a result of I needed to make one thing for my grandma. She wanted one thing comfortable to eat, and I like shocking her with taste. And thus, this casserole was born! We love this recipe as a result of it’s comfortable, not soggy, and creamy, however not bland. Plus, you’ll be able to simply spice it up a bit extra with that jalapeño or some purple pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use high quality lengthy grain rice for the very best texture, like Jasmine or Basmati. The generic baggage labeled as simply “lengthy grain white rice” usually tend to find yourself mushy.
• Rooster: Rotisserie hen works nice on this recipe, or use leftovers. For those who’re utilizing uncooked hen, cook dinner it completely earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s an awesome chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely elective! Recent jalapeños add a pleasant spicy crunch, or use pickled for rather less warmth.
• Salsa Verde: Seize a jar of your favourite delicate or medium salsa verde. Use no matter warmth degree you want.
• Avocados: You need an avocado that’s completely ripe. Attempt urgent on the very high of the fruit, the place the stem was. If it provides a little bit, it ought to be ripe.
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a superb substitute when you don’t have (or don’t like) bitter cream.
• Corn Tortillas: We use corn tortillas for his or her agency texture, however you’ll be able to completely use flour tortillas when you choose.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You may simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for a little bit kick.

Rooster Choices

This recipe requires shredded cooked hen. You’ve obtained a number of choices to select from, so take your choose! We’ve used all of them.

Rotisserie Rooster – many grocery shops these days promote cooked rotisserie chickens which you could purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s often offered as a “loss chief,” that means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it the very best bang to your buck with regards to hen. Some shops are additionally now providing the rotisserie hen pre-shredded and packaged, too, which is fairly handy.

Frozen Cooked Rooster – try the freezer part of your grocery retailer for pre-cooked hen strips and chunks offered in baggage.

Bake Your Personal Rooster – lay hen breasts out right into a flippantly greased 9×13 pan. Season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 levels for 25 to half-hour till cooked by way of. Chop into chunks and use instantly, or freeze for later use.

Fast Skillet Rooster – warmth a big heavy skillet over medium-high warmth. Add in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place hen breasts into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Prepare dinner 5 to 7 minutes per facet. Let cool after which shred.

Spice it Up or Down

For those who’re on the lookout for extra warmth, seize a medium or sizzling salsa for the sauce and add in that jalapeño! You may also high with contemporary jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some purple pepper flakes on high for some colour and warmth!

For a milder choice, persist with delicate salsa. Take away the seeds and stem from the jalapeño, including half as an alternative of the entire pepper. Or, omit the pepper utterly.

Make-Forward Directions

This enchilada casserole can simply be made forward. Assemble and refrigerate earlier than baking, as much as 1 day upfront. Make sure to retailer it lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to forestall it from drying out. Take away the overlaying and bake when able to eat.