Creamy Hen Enchilada Casserole

This recipe turns enchiladas into a simple, creamy casserole. Tremendous straightforward to place collectively, and the avocado cream sauce makes this one particular. Critically, you’ll need this sauce on every part. I like to avoid wasting a bit of additional and scoop it up with some tortilla chips—so good!

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

Why Our Recipe

• The creamy avocado sauce is purpose alone to make this recipe!
• Corn tortillas hold this casserole from turning into soggy.
• Use rotisserie or leftover hen to whip up this dish with minimal prep work.

This recipe took place as a result of I wished to make one thing for my grandma. She wanted one thing mushy to eat, and I like stunning her with taste. And thus, this casserole was born! We love this recipe as a result of it’s mushy, not soggy, and creamy, however not bland. Plus, you’ll be able to simply spice it up a bit extra with that jalapeño or some purple pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use high quality lengthy grain rice for the very best texture, like Jasmine or Basmati. The generic luggage labeled as simply “lengthy grain white rice” usually tend to find yourself mushy.
• Hen: Rotisserie hen works nice on this recipe, or use leftovers. For those who’re utilizing uncooked hen, prepare dinner it completely earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to greatest management the flavour. It’s an excellent chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely non-compulsory! Recent 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. Strive urgent on the very prime 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 good 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’ll be able to completely use flour tortillas in case you choose.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You’ll be able to simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for a bit of kick.

Hen Choices

This recipe requires shredded cooked hen. You’ve acquired a number of 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 would be able to purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s normally bought as a “loss chief,” which means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it the very best bang on your buck with regards to hen. Some shops are additionally now providing the rotisserie hen pre-shredded and packaged, too, which is fairly handy.

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

Bake Your Personal Hen – lay hen breasts out right into a calmly 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 instantly, or freeze for later use.

Fast Skillet Hen – warmth a big heavy skillet over medium-high warmth. Add in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place hen breasts into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 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 scorching salsa for the sauce and add in that jalapeño! You may also prime with contemporary jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some purple pepper flakes on prime for some colour and warmth!

For a milder possibility, stick to gentle salsa. Take away the seeds and stem from the jalapeño, including half as an alternative 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 lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stop it from drying out. Take away the protecting and bake when able to eat.