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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This chicken enchilada casserole layers slow-simmered shredded chicken, homemade blended verde sauce, corn tortillas, and melted Colby Jack and Pepper Jack cheese. A crowd-pleasing freezer-friendly dinner.

Ingredients
  

The Chicken and Sauce
  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 packet fajita seasoning
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 8 cloves garlic whole
  • Olive oil for searing
  • 2 jars Herdez Salsa Verde mild (6 oz each)
  • 2 tbsp bouillon powder
  • Water used to rinse out the salsa jars
For Assembly
  • Corn tortillas
  • 2 blocks Colby Jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 2 blocks Pepper Jack cheese freshly shredded
For Serving
  • Sour cream
  • Extra enchilada sauce

Method
 

  1. Set your Ninja multi-cooker or a heavy pot to high sear. Add a drizzle of olive oil and sear the quartered onion, tomatoes, and whole garlic cloves until lightly charred and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
  2. Season the chicken thighs and breasts on both sides with fajita seasoning. In the same pot, sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown.
  3. Return the seared vegetables to the pot with the chicken. Pour in both jars of salsa verde. Fill each empty jar with water, add 1 tablespoon of bouillon powder to each, shake well, and pour into the pot.
  4. Cover and simmer on low for about 1 hour until the chicken is completely tender and falling apart.
  5. Remove the chicken and set aside. Using an immersion blender, blend the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and remaining broth directly in the pot until smooth. This is your enchilada sauce. Shred the chicken and return it to the sauce or keep it separate for layering.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large baking dish, spread a layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom. Layer corn tortillas over the sauce, then shredded chicken, more sauce, and a generous layer of the mixed Colby Jack and Pepper Jack cheese. Repeat the layers until the dish is full, finishing with a final layer of sauce and cheese on top.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
  8. Serve warm with extra enchilada sauce and a dollop of sour cream.