Creamy Hen 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. Critically, you’ll need this sauce on every thing. I like to save lots of somewhat further and scoop it up with some tortilla chips—so good!

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

This recipe took place as a result of I needed to make one thing for my grandma. She wanted one thing delicate 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 delicate, not soggy, and creamy, however not bland. Plus, you may simply spice it up a bit extra with that jalapeño or some crimson pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use a very good high quality lengthy grain rice for the perfect texture, like Jasmine or Basmati. The generic luggage labeled as simply “lengthy grain white rice” usually tend to find yourself mushy.
• Hen: Rotisserie rooster works nice on this recipe, or use leftovers. For those who’re utilizing uncooked rooster, prepare dinner it totally earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice lets you finest management the flavour. It’s a fantastic chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely elective! Contemporary jalapeños add a pleasant spicy crunch, or use pickled for rather less warmth.
• Salsa Verde: Seize a jar of your favourite gentle 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 offers somewhat, it ought to be ripe.
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a good 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 may completely use flour tortillas when you desire.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You’ll be able to simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for somewhat kick.

Hen Choices

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

Rotisserie Hen – many grocery shops these days promote cooked rotisserie chickens that you may purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s normally bought as a “loss chief,” that means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it the perfect bang in your buck in the case of rooster. Some shops are additionally now providing the rotisserie rooster pre-shredded and packaged, too, which is fairly handy.

Frozen Cooked Hen – try the freezer part of your grocery retailer for pre-cooked rooster strips and chunks bought in luggage.

Bake Your Personal Hen – lay rooster breasts out right into a evenly greased 9×13 pan. Season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 levels for 25 to half-hour till cooked by means of. Chop into chunks and use straight away, or freeze for later use.

Fast Skillet Hen – warmth a big heavy skillet over medium-high warmth. Add in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place rooster breasts into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Prepare dinner 5 to 7 minutes per aspect. 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 too can high with recent jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some crimson pepper flakes on high for some coloration and warmth!

For a milder choice, follow gentle salsa. Take away the seeds and stem from the jalapeño, including half as a substitute of the entire pepper. Or, omit the pepper fully.

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 you retailer it lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stop it from drying out. Take away the overlaying and bake when able to eat.