An overhead view of chicken enchiladas on a white plate. They are topped with sour cream, avacado, and hot sauce.

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe | Cheesy One-Dish Mexican-Inspired Dinner

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By Rebecca St.Clair

This cheesy chicken enchilada casserole recipe is a easy, flavourful, and perfect for meal prep. If you’re searching for easy chicken casserole recipes, this one is a must-try. This easy chicken enchilada recipe is the ultimate comfort food. It’s cheesy, hearty, and so easy to make!

This Mexican-inspired chicken casserole recipe is perfect if you’ve been looking for something simple and delicious. The perfect one-dish dinner for busy nights! Made with tender chicken wrapped in tortillas, zesty homemade enchilada sauce, and melty cheese, this cheesy chicken enchilada casserole is a comforting, family-friendly meal. If you’ve been searching for how to make chicken enchiladas with simple ingredients, this recipe is quick, easy, and full of flavour.

Two chicken enchiladas on a white plate. One has been split in half to show the shredded chicken inside.

Looking for a quick and satisfying dinner? This easy chicken enchilada casserole recipe is packed with bold flavours and simple ingredients. This one-pan chicken enchilada bake is perfect for busy families and makes great leftovers. Ideal if you’re searching for how to make enchiladas with shredded chicken and cheese.

Chicken enchiladas in a white casserole dish. Two have been removed and are on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy – This recipe comes together in no time whether you cook and shred your own chicken or use a premade rotisserie chicken.
Flavourful – Seasoned to perfection, this meal is packed with delicious flavour.
Freezer-friendly – A perfect casserole to make-ahead and freeze for later.
Family-friendly – A crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Two chicken enchiladas on a white plate. They are topped with sour cream, avacado, and hot sauce.

How to store this easy chicken enchilada casserole

Fridge

  • Allow the enchiladas to cool.
  • Transfer to an airtight container.
  • Or cover the baking dish completely in plastic wrap.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer

  • Allow the enchiladas to cool.
  • Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container or wrap completely with plastic wrap and foil
  • Freeze for up to 3 months

To reheat

  • Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Bake at 375°F (190°C) covered for 25–30 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake at 425 °F (220 °C) to brown the top.
A white casserole dish with chicken enchiladas inside.

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Variations

Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas

Made with a creamy cheese or white sauce and green chilies. These are mild, rich, and perfect if you prefer a creamy enchilada.

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Skip the rolling! Layer the chicken, sauce, and cheese in between stacks of tortillas for an easy enchilada casserole you can cut and serve.

Vegetarian Enchiladas with Beans

Add corn, sliced bell peppers, with black beans or pinto beans, and classic enchilada spices for a hearty, protein-packed vegetarian enchilada with extra texture and flavour.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Enchiladas

A fun twist! Combine chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and cheese for a diner-style twist on this enchilada recipe.

Ground beef Enchiladas

Skip the shredded chicken and use cooked seasoned ground beef instead.

A side view of a chicken enchilada in a white casserole dish. There are more in the background.

Ingredients

Tortillas – Use store-bought flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or homemade tortillas.
Shredded chicken – I used shredded chicken breast but you could also shred precooked rotisserie chicken.
Cheese – I used grated cheddar cheese but feel free to use your favourite cheese.
Onion – For flavour.
Garlic – For flavour.
Canned tomatoes – I used canned diced tomatoes.
Spices – I used chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon.
Salt and pepper – Taste.

A table full of labeled ingredients.

How to make Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

  1. Fully cook 3 large chicken breasts.
  2. Allow to cool until you can easily handle them.
  3. Shred the chicken meat with two forks.
  4. In a large sauce pot on medium heat, add in 2 Tablespoons of oil and fry one small diced onion until soft and starting to colour.
  5. Add in 2 cloves of minced garlic and fry this along with the onion until soft and fragrant.
  6. Stir in 1 large can of diced tomatoes.

7. Stir in 1 Tablespoon of ground chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

8. Simmer 5 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce. If you want a smoother sauce, purée with a stick blender.

9. Set half of the sauce aside.

10. Add the shredded chicken meat to the remaining half of the sauce and stir to combine.

Assembly

  1. Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C).
  2. Fill 8 large tortillas with an equal amount of the chicken mixture, topped with some grated cheese.
  3. Roll up each tortilla and place in a casserole dish.

4. Top the rolled enchiladas with the sauce that was set aside.

5. Sprinkle on top 2 cups of the grated cheese.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is browned and bubbly on top.

7. Remove from the oven and serve with your favourite toppings.

A white casserole dish with chicken enchiladas inside.
An overhead view of chicken enchiladas on a white plate. They are topped with sour cream, avacado, and hot sauce.
Yield: 8

Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Made with tender chicken wrapped in tortillas, zesty homemade enchilada sauce, and melty cheese. This cheesy chicken enchilada casserole is a comforting, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

  • 8 large flour tortillas
  • 3 large chicken breasts
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 27 oz can diced tomatoes 796 ml
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder 9 g
  • 1 teaspoon cumin 3 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 2 g
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (or to taste) 2 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 g
  • 1/4 pepper 1 g
  • 3 cups grated cheddar cheese 375 g

Instructions

  1. Fully cook 3 large chicken breasts.
  2. Allow to cool until you can easily handle them.
  3. Shred the chicken meat with two forks.
  4. In a large sauce pot on medium heat, add in 2 Tablespoons of oil and fry one small diced onion until soft and starting to colour.
  5. Add in 2 cloves of minced garlic and fry this along with the onion until soft and fragrant.
  6. Stir in 1 large can of diced tomatoes.
  7. Stir in 1 Tablespoon of ground chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
  8. Simmer 5 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce. If you want a smoother sauce, purée with a stick blender.
  9. Set half of the sauce aside.
  10. Add the shredded chicken meat to the remaining half of the sauce and stir to combine.

    11. Assembly

    1. Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C).
    2. Fill 8 large tortillas with an equal amount of the chicken mixture, topped with some grated cheese.
    3. Roll up each tortilla and place in a casserole dish.
    4. Top the rolled enchiladas with the sauce that was set aside.
    5. Sprinkle on top 2 cups of the grated cheese.
    6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is browned and bubbly on top.
    7. Remove from the oven and serve with your favourite toppings.

Notes

Serve with your favourite toppings like sour cream, hot sauce, avacado, fresh tomatoes, or cilantro.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 648Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 19gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 132mgSodium 1178mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 5gSugar 4gProtein 41g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate.

Did you try it?

Let us know how it was!

© Flour and Filigree
Cuisine: American / Category: Dinner
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A Pinterest pin for chicken enchiladas.

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Hi, I'm Rebecca!
I'm a Mom of 4 who is passionate about simple living, vintage whole food meals, and old-fashioned skills. Here on my blog, you will find comfort food recipes, delicious breads, and easy decadent desserts to share with your family, along with old-fashioned skills and simple living projects to make your home cozy.

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