How To Cook Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole - I like to make Chicken Enchilada Casserole instead or regular (individual) chicken enchiladas when I have other things to do. I like the idea that I can leave the Chicken Enchilada Casserole in the oven to bake while I complete my other tasks. I always enjoy the outcome of this recipe I am sure that you will love it too.Your lunch or dinner will be more interesting when you make Chicken Enchilada Casserole. This quick and easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe will show you how it’s done in the simplest way possible.
Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole |
Before you proceed there are some things that I need to clarify. I prepared the cooked shredded chicken in this Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe by boiling almost a pound of boneless and skinless chicken breast for 30 minutes. Once the chicken is completely cooked. I drain the water and let the chicken cool down. It will be easier to shred the chicken using your hands when it is not that hot. As for the other ingredients, I got them all straight from the grocery to save some time.
Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole Ingredients
- 12 pieces flour tortilla
- 29 ounces enchilada sauce
- 3/4 lb. cooked shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese
- 1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
- 2 cups sour cream
In my opinion, Chicken Enchilada Casserole is even better with hot sauce. You can add some hot sauce with your sliced portion of chicken enchilada while it is still hot. My favorite brand of hot sauce for chicken enchilada casserole is Frank’s Red hot this is also the brand that I use when making Buffalo Chicken Wings and the wing sauce.
Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole Steps And Methods For Cooking.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Combine the ground cumin with the shredded chicken. Mix well. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, scoop around 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce and pour in a baking dish. Spread the sauce all over the dish.
- Lay four pieces of flour tortilla over the enchilada sauce. Spread some refried beans and sour cream over the tortilla. Arrange half of the shredded chicken on top and then top with cheese and enchilada sauce.
- Make the next layer by arranging four pieces of flour tortilla on top of the enchilada sauce. Do the same step as in the first layer by spreading refried beans and sour cream over the tortillas. Top with the remaining chicken. Add cheese and enchilada sauce on top.
- Make the last layer by arranging the last 4 flour tortilla pieces over the enchilada sauce. Spread the remaining refried beans, sour cream, and enchilada sauce. Top with Monterey jack cheese.
- Bake the Chicken Enchilada Casserole for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. Serve.
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Delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole Additional Trivia
Did You Know That A chicken enchilada casserole is a single-dish, oven-baked meal made with Mexican flavors and ingredients commonly used in chicken enchiladas. Cooks may vary the specific ingredients they use according to personal preference, but nearly all chicken enchilada casseroles include soft tortillas, chicken, shredded cheese, and enchilada sauce. Other ingredients often found in traditional enchiladas, including bell peppers, rice, refried beans, and onions, are commonly found in the casserole version, as well.
Casseroles, in general, are one-dish meals that combine main dish and side dish ingredients into a single pan. This results in a type of "all in one" meal that serves as a well-balanced dinner without requiring any additional sides. Most casseroles are baked in the oven, but some are cooked on the stove. A chicken enchilada casserole is usually baked in the oven.
While different cooks have different recipes, a chicken enchilada casserole must include standard enchilada ingredients in order to have the general taste of a chicken enchilada. A traditional enchilada consists of a corn tortilla wrapped around shredded meat, beans, cheese, and various chopped vegetables. Enchiladas are also covered with a mild red chili sauce specifically referred to as an "enchilada sauce." The term enchilada comes from the Spanish verb enchilar, which roughly means "to season with chili pepper," making this sauce the key ingredient of an enchilada recipe. Garnishments may also include additional cheese, lettuce, onions, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
Chicken enchilada casseroles use many of the same seasonings, fillings, and garnishments as the traditional Mexican dish from which this meal was derived, but instead of rolling the ingredients inside a corn tortilla, the cook stacks the ingredients into flat layers. A layer of flat corn tortillas is laid on the bottom of the casserole dish. The cook then spreads a layer of partially or fully cooked chicken, either in the form of shredded chicken or chicken strips, over the tortillas. A mixture consisting of finely chopped vegetables, shredded cheese, and various herbs and spices is spooned over the chicken. The cook generally repeats these layers once or twice, and often tops the casserole with an extra tortilla layer before baking it in a preheated oven.
Some cooks may call a recipe a chicken enchilada casserole without actually including the chili sauce that characterizes an enchilada. A more authentic chicken enchilada casserole will include enchilada sauce, but some cooks may mix the sauce into the filling ingredients while others may spread it over the final tortilla layer. Casserole versions of the chicken enchilada do not often include as broad a range of garnishments as traditional versions of the dish, but additional melted cheese, sour cream, and chopped cilantro are still common. After coming out of the oven, the casserole is cut into square servings that must be eaten with a knife and fork.