Chicken Tortilla Casserole
This Chicken Tortilla Casserole has earned the glowing endorsement of one of the most important food critics of our time: a toddler.
Easy Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Family favorite! Layers of cheese, chicken, and tortillas, baked in a southwest tomato sauce. Freezer-friendly and healthy!
Layers of juicy shredded chicken, stretchy cheese, fluffy corn tortillas, and a flavorful Tex-Mex-spiced tomato sauce, all stacked together then baked to gooey perfection, this chicken tortilla casserole was awarded second-helpings status by my friend’s 20-month-old little girl.
I brought it over to her house for dinner, and the little lady ate her entire serving, then requested “Erin make” (toddler-speak for “what Erin made”) for lunch the next day.
My friend loved the recipe so much, she asked me for the recipe, then made a double batch, one for her family and one for a neighborhood food swap.
Forget the Michelin stars. The endorsement of a toddler and her parents is all the culinary accolades I need to know that this chicken tortilla casserole is a keeper.
Easy Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Even my toddler loved it! Perfect for busy weeknights. Would make a great freezer meal too.
About This Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Part Mexican lasagna, part chicken enchilada, this chicken tortilla casserole is entirely attainable on a busy weeknight. I love that it’s simple enough for even a novice of chef to prepare with success, yet it has the comforting, from-scratch taste of a real, homemade meal.
Easy Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Layers of cheese, juicy chicken, and corn tortillas, baked to gooey perfection.
The jalapeno sauce is perfect for this recipe because, although it is very flavorful, it’s relatively mild. A few quick dashes immediately increase the flavor complexity of the dish, without adding too much heat.
If you are looking for an easy-to-make, healthy, and/or freezer-friendly recipe that every member of your family, big and small, can enjoy, this chicken tortilla casserole is for you. If you try it, I’d love to know what you and your family think too!
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Easy Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Family favorite! Layers of cheese, chicken, and tortillas, baked in a southwest tomato sauce. Freezer-friendly and healthy.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts* cooked and shredded
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion chopped
1 green bell pepper cored and chopped
3 red bell pepper cored and chopped
1 jalapeno cored and diced
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 can tomato sauce (28 ounces)
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons jalapeno hot sauce such as Tabasco, plus additional for serving
18 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 cups freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese (8 ounces)
Optional for serving: salsa, sliced avocados, lime juice, plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream), chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with baking spray. If needed, cook and shred chicken according to these easy steps.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high, then add the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and jalapeno. Saute until the veggies are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce, chicken stock, and Tabasco Jalapeno sauce, then stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 12 minutes.
