Chicken Enchilada Casserole

[austingirl25]

I created this recipe when I was pregnant -- I wanted he flavor of chicken enchiladas, but didn't want to go through the hassle of rolling the enchiladas, and I wanted to be able to make a big batch and freeze to eat after the baby was born. This is easier and quite tasty. Thought I'd share. I've also done this with mole instead of tomatillo salsa.

~4 ½ -5 cups chopped cooked chicken (this is an estimate -- I used a bunch of leftover chicken hubby had recently smoked. I would chop up a bunch and just make sure you like the consistency once it's mixed with the cream cheese. )
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
Salt to taste
2-4 oz. cans green chiles (or chop up some hatch chiles -- yum)
1 tsp. ground cumin
Tomatillo salsa (about 2 cups)
Salt to taste
Mexican-blend shredded cheese (as much as you want)
9 corn tortillas

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix together chicken, cream cheese, and chiles. Add salt to taste, and cumin. Add some tomatillo salsa to thin out the mixture and make it easier to spread.

3. Spread a layer of salsa on the bottom of a 9x11 baking dish. Place three corn tortillas on top of salsa. Spread half of the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas. Repeat once more with the salsa, tortillas, and chicken.

4. Put three tortillas on top of the last layer of chicken. Top with the remaining salsa. Sprinkle with cheese blend.

5. Bake for 35 minutes, covered.

 

[BrûléeOrange]

That sounds fantastic although I would have to include onions in the chicken mixture (although I suspect there is some in the salsa).

 

[HoosierHorn]

add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, pls... delicious spicy goodness.

i'll try the cream cheese next time.... i use sour cream.

 

[scottsins]

we did a version growing up that i still love.

shredded chicken, ro-tel, onions, cumin, chili powder, canned green chiles.

layer chicken first, then corn tortillas, then colby/jack cheese, repeat layers.

I prefer this to the cream cheese version.

 

[austingirl25]

Scottsins, that sounds great. I'll have to try that next time.

 

[LITNIN HORN]

scott...my wife has fixed 'Mexican Chicken' for about forty years, and her recipe is a dead on match to yours, with one addition...a can of cream of chicken soup. Also, over the years, when we were out of corn tortillas, she opted to use flour. It is like an entirely different dish, but very good.

 

[DRAG69]

The Link

Check out my recipe on page 38.

It is a kicked up version of King Ranch Chicken.

Great to make for large groups gathering to watch football and it definitely has the "chicken enchilada" flavor.