Easy & Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole: A Flavorful Family Favorite
As a chef, you might be surprised to find a casserole recipe featuring so prominently in my kitchen. Yet, this Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole has earned its top spot, captivating my family and even winning over my discerning palate. While I don’t typically venture into the world of casseroles, this particular dish is an absolute game-changer. It’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that dance across your taste buds, making it an irresistible choice for any meal.
This casserole is a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something truly extraordinary. Imagine the savory notes of delicate roast chicken mingling with the sweet and tangy burst of sautéed corn, all enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce with just the right amount of spice. It’s a symphony of tastes that promises to satisfy every palate, from the pickiest eaters to the most seasoned food lovers. I can pretty much guarantee that once you try this recipe, it will become a cherished part of your family’s meal rotation.
Building Your Perfect Enchilada Casserole: A Layered Delight
One of the beauties of this dish is its duality: you essentially get two fantastic recipes in one. The foundation is a comforting, cheesy chicken enchilada casserole, but what truly elevates it is the vibrant Mexican street corn topping. This topping isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a crucial element that adds a fresh, zesty counterpoint to the rich casserole base. In fact, this street corn mixture is so delicious, you might even consider making it as a standalone side dish!
If you choose to serve the street corn on its own, simply top it with a sprinkle of crumbly queso fresco and a drizzle of Mexican crema for an authentic and satisfying side. It’s a versatile component that really shows off the fresh, bright flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Like any classic casserole, this dish involves bringing together a medley of ingredients in a bowl or directly in your baking dish, then allowing the oven to work its magic. However, what sets this enchilada casserole apart is its remarkable adaptability across seasons. In the cooler months, it offers a hearty, warming embrace, much like a comforting hug. Yet, its vibrant flavors, especially with the fresh corn topping, make it equally appealing and satisfying during warmer times of the year, preventing that heavy feeling often associated with traditional comfort food. It’s truly a year-round superstar in our kitchen.
A distinctive element in my recipe, and one I particularly love, is the use of crushed tortilla chips as a binder. Instead of relying solely on flour or other thickeners, crunching up a bag of seasoned tortilla chips not only helps hold all the ingredients together beautifully but also infuses the casserole with an extra layer of savory flavor and an irresistible texture. This method ensures a delightful crunch in every bite, adding a dynamic contrast to the creamy filling.
Another crucial tip pertains to the chicken stock. When combining your casserole mixture, I recommend starting with about one cup of chicken stock, adding it gradually around the bowl. The goal is to achieve a consistency that is neither too thick and pasty nor too watery. You want the mixture to be moist and easy to spread, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly without becoming a soupy mess. Adjust the amount of stock as needed, aiming for a luscious, cohesive filling.
Once baked, the casserole should emerge from the oven soft and bubbly, but firm enough to hold its shape once sliced. Since all the components are pre-cooked, the baking process is primarily about warming everything through and allowing the flavors to marry. I find that letting the casserole rest for about 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven is key. This resting period allows it to cool slightly and firm up, making for cleaner cuts and ensuring each serving is perfectly structured and utterly delicious.
Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Enchilada Casserole
The magic of this creamy chicken enchilada bake lies in its thoughtfully selected ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating its incredible flavor profile. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Shredded Chicken: For ultimate convenience and flavor, I often use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Shredding it quickly provides tender, savory chicken that forms the heart of this dish.
- Greek Yogurt: This is my secret weapon for adding creaminess and a slight tang without excessive fat. It makes the casserole wonderfully rich and moist.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: You can use your favorite canned variety for ease, but I highly recommend making my homemade version for unparalleled flavor and control over ingredients.
- Chicken Stock: Essential for achieving the perfect consistency, ensuring the casserole isn’t dry or overly thick.
- Hatch Green Chiles: These add a mild, smoky heat and authentic Southwestern flavor that is characteristic of great enchiladas.
- Pico de Gallo: Fresh and vibrant, pico de gallo introduces bright tomato, onion, and cilantro notes, adding depth and zest.
- Fresh Limes: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness and enhancing the other flavors.
- Seasoned Tortilla Chips: Crushed chips serve as an ingenious binder and provide a fantastic crunch and an extra layer of seasoned flavor. I prefer Tostitos Jalapeño or Lime for an added kick.
- Mixed Sweet and White Corn (frozen): Frozen corn is perfectly fine and convenient. Its sweetness beautifully balances the savory and spicy elements.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is a must for its aromatic, herbaceous notes, used both in the casserole and as a garnish.
- Yellow Onion: Sautéed until translucent, yellow onion forms a sweet and aromatic base for the corn topping.
- Butter or Olive Oil: For sautéing the onion and corn, adding richness and facilitating caramelization.
- Tajin Chili Lime Seasoning: This unique seasoning offers a fantastic blend of chili, salt, and lime, enhancing the Mexican street corn flavor.
- Cotija Cheese: A salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that’s perfect for garnishing the street corn and melting slightly over the casserole.
I personally love making my own homemade Cream of Chicken Soup for this recipe, as it truly elevates the flavor profile. However, feel free to use a good quality canned version if that fits your schedule better. Either way, the results will be wonderfully delicious!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Chicken Enchilada Bake
Ingredients
- 2 lb shredded chicken, I use a rotisserie from Costco
- 1 cup Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
- 1 can Fat-Free Cream of Chicken Soup
- Chicken Stock, as needed
- ½ cup Hatch Green Chiles
- 1 cup pico de gallo
- 2 Fresh Limes
- 1 bag Seasoned Tortilla Chips, crushed (I use Tostitos Jalapeno or Lime)
- 1 bag Mixed Sweet and White Corn, Frozen not canned
- 1 bunch fresh Cilantro
- 1 lg Sweet Yellow Onion
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter or Olive Oil
- Tajin Chili Lime Seasoning
- ½ round Cotija Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Dice onion in a small to medium chop.
- Finely chop cilantro and set aside for later use.
- Slice the cotija cheese and set aside.
- Warm your butter or olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat, add onion and cook until translucent, 2-3 minutes.
- Add in your corn and cook until just warmed through.
- Season with tajin, salt, and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lime if you like it a little more on the tangy side.
- In a large bowl or your baking dish, combine chicken, yogurt, soup, green chilis,
- pico, the juice of 1 lime, crushed chips and 1-2 tablespoon cilantro to your taste. Thin the mixture slightly with about 1 cup of chicken stock. Use as needed.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Tajin and mix well.
- Level out in your baking dish and top with corn mixture.
- Top with Cotija Cheese and Cilantro.
- Place on center rack of oven and bake until warmed through 30-45 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 grams
Amount Per Serving:
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
Discover More Delicious Recipes from My Kitchen!
If you enjoyed this Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole, I invite you to explore more of my carefully crafted recipes that bring bold flavors and comforting meals to your table:
- Saffron Chicken and Mushrooms: An aromatic and savory dish perfect for a special dinner.
- Arroz con Gandules: A vibrant and flavorful rice and pigeon peas dish, a staple in many Caribbean cuisines.
- Pumpkin Seed Granola: A wholesome and crunchy homemade granola, ideal for breakfast or a healthy snack.
- Greek Lamb Burgers: A gourmet twist on a classic burger, bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Don’t forget to grab my NEW e-Cookbook for even more convenient and delicious meal ideas! ⬇️
_
My Favorite Kitchen Tools: Essentials for Every Home Cook!
Having the right tools can transform your cooking experience, making it more efficient and enjoyable. Here are some of my all-time favorite kitchen essentials that I wholeheartedly recommend – it’s like an Oprah giveaway, but for your kitchen! 🎁
These Rösle Silicone Tongs are an investment, but worth every penny. Their superior quality ensures they’ll last a lifetime, and their ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip, crucial for those of us who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I keep four sets handy because they are indispensable!
You absolutely need these Nordic Ware Sheet Pans. Every kitchen should have at least two sets – I personally own at least four of each size! They are incredibly versatile for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or simply organizing ingredients.
My favorite pressure cooker is the Fagor. It’s similar to the popular “Instant Pot” but, in my opinion, even more user-friendly. If you don’t own a pressure cooker yet, you NEED one! It will quickly become your absolute best friend for speeding up cooking times and achieving incredible tenderness.
A sharp knife is the single most important tool in any kitchen. These Japanese steel “Shun” knives are my absolute favorite, renowned for their incredible sharpness and balance. This starter set is a fantastic foundation to build upon. Once you experience the precision and ease of a Shun knife, you’ll be completely hooked and eager to expand your collection.
This Scanpan 11″ skillet is the perfect size for almost any cooking task and is a true workhorse in my kitchen. It’s an excellent value at $99. Scanpan stands out globally for healthy cooking due to its proprietary ceramic titanium coating. This unique coating is incredibly durable and allows you to cook with significantly less fat and oil. I could talk endlessly about my love for these pans; feel free to message me if you want more details! For those looking to fully equip their kitchen, Scanpan offers other convenient sizes, such as the 8″ & 10″ Skillet set or the individual 8″ Skillet (which I still need for my collection!). And for those who, like me, don’t really know how to cook small, the 12.5″ is my other absolute favorite!
This giant vat of olive oil is my go-to. I typically decant it into a smaller bottle for easy access on my counter. Alternatively, you can attach this convenient spigot directly to a wine bottle for effortless pouring!
The Tovolo jar scraper has to be my single favorite kitchen tool, and definitely the most used! If you’re not a gadget person, I still insist this is a MUST-HAVE beyond even a wooden spoon. It’s perfect for getting every last bit out of jars and bowls.
A high-quality wooden spoon is truly essential in the kitchen. This Olive Wood one is my absolute favorite – I have more than I can count! But can you really ever have too many reliable wooden spoons?
A food scale can be an incredibly important tool for precise cooking and baking in your kitchen. This one is the exact model I use every single day for consistent results!
If you adore Joanna Gaines as much as I do, then the ‘Magnolia Table Cookbook’ is an absolute must-have for your kitchen collection. Get your copy HERE to bring her comforting recipes into your home!
Check out this fantastic product for your mason jars: the Ergo Spout! It effortlessly transforms any mason jar into a pourable pitcher, perfect for storing and serving. Get yours here! I particularly love using it for making and keeping my homemade salad dressings fresh in the refrigerator.