Creamy Hen Enchilada Casserole

This recipe turns enchiladas into a straightforward, creamy casserole. Tremendous straightforward to place collectively, and the avocado cream sauce makes this one particular. Significantly, you’ll need this sauce on the whole lot. I like to save lots of a bit of 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 wished 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 purple pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use a very good high quality lengthy grain rice for the most effective 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. If you happen to’re utilizing uncooked rooster, prepare dinner it completely earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice means that you can finest management the flavour. It’s an important chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely non-compulsory! Contemporary 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 bit of, it needs to be ripe.
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a superb substitute in case 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 in case you want.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You may simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for a bit of kick.

Hen Choices

This recipe requires shredded cooked rooster. You’ve bought just a few choices to select from, so take your decide! We’ve used all of them.

Rotisserie Hen – many grocery shops these days promote cooked rotisserie chickens that you could purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s often bought as a “loss chief,” which means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it the most effective bang to your buck with regards to 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 immediately, 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

If you happen to’re searching for extra warmth, seize a medium or scorching salsa for the sauce and add in that jalapeño! You can too high with recent jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some purple pepper flakes on high for some shade and warmth!

For a milder choice, persist with delicate 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. Be sure you retailer it coated with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stop it from drying out. Take away the protecting and bake when able to eat.