Everything about this simple recipe is easy and delicious! Layered tortillas topped with tender chicken, cheese and onions. Topped with a creamy green chili sauce and baked until golden brown. This easy recipe for Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a meal the whole family will love!
Jump to:
- Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Ingredients you’ll need
- Creative variations to try
- Step-by-step instructions
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb's top tips
- How to store leftovers
- Delicious pairings: what to serve with
- Related recipes
- Layered Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole
We have had a running joke about how every casserole dish in our house has a story—and most of them started with a busy weeknight and a fridge full of random ingredients.
But this Green Chili Chicken Casserole? It quickly became the recipe that didn’t need an excuse to make an appearance!
I still remember the first time I made it: we had just gotten back from a weekend trip, and I was staring into the fridge like, “What can I pull together without running to the store?” I grabbed some leftover rotisserie chicken, a can of green chiles, tortillas, and whatever cheese I could find.
The result was cheesy, creamy, with just the right amount of kick—basically, the kind of meal that gets everyone to the table without having to call them twice.
Ingredients you’ll need
This creamy chicken enchiladas recipe uses simple ingredients. For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- corn tortillas - I like corn tortillas in this recipes, however flour tortillas can be used as well. Personally I think it makes the casserole a little runny.
- cooked chicken breast - rotisserie chicken is great! You can use leftover roast chicken breasts or cooked chicken thighs, whichever you'd prefer. You can even use canned chicken if that's what is available.
- evaporated milk - I prefer evaporated milk because it makes everything super creamy, but you could substitute with half and half or cream.
- cream of chicken soup - you could substitute cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup if desired.
- shedded cheddar cheese - you can really substitute your favorite cheese, Monterey Jack, pepper jack cheese, queso fresco cheese doesn't melt as well, but it's so good and will give you authentic flavor! Cojita cheese, a Mexican blend cheese will make a salty, delicious topping but it doesn't melt well.
Creative variations to try
Add 4 ounces of cream cheese or sour cream to the sauce mixture. It makes the enchilada casserole so creamy. I just love the tanginess!
You can certainly roll the tortillas if you prefer a traditional style enchilada! Place chicken, onions and sauce in the tortilla and roll cigar style. Top the casserole with sauce, remaining cheese and a few diced onions.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian? Of course! Substitute black beans (rinsed and well drained) and corn for chicken and cream of mushroom or celery soup. Easy to make and delicious!
Step-by-step instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions for this easy casserole. For the complete written directions for this easy recipe, just scroll down to the bottom!
Essential tools for this recipe
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Watch and learn: recipe video
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
You can make/bake it the day before and reheat it in the oven on day two.
Either will work! I prefer the yellow corn, I think they have more flavor.
They are normally found in the Latino food aisle. If your store doesn't carry them, substitute with roasted poblano chilis - delicious!
No, it isn't spicy at all! Choose mild green chilis. If you like a spicer meal, add jalapeños or top with spicy salsa.
Deb's top tips
Be sure to allow the casserole to rest 8-10 minutes before serving. If you cut into it right away, it will ooze all over the plate when after you dish it up. Wrap it loosely with aluminum foil and allow it to set.
- If you prefer more of a lasagna style, fry or toast the tortillas first. It will keep the tortillas more firm.
- Double the recipe for this and freeze an extra casserole!
- This recipe for delicious Enchiladas Verde (which really just means green Chile enchiladas) is an easy dinner and a real favorite. Having a great freezer meal is just smart!
- Because this is such a great pantry meal, keeping the ingredients on-hand makes for an easy weeknight meal.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - allow to cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container 3-4 days.
Freeze - wrap well in Saran Wrap or aluminum foil and freeze up to three months.
Reheat - allow to thaw overnight in the freezer. Reheat in the oven 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.
Delicious pairings: what to serve with
Finish with your favorite toppings: a dollop of sour cream, black olives, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced green onion and tomatoes. A side of refried beans would be delicious! Serve with warm flour tortillas or tortilla chips on the side.
Related recipes
If you're looking for more delicious casserole recipes, be sure to check out these.
- Frito Pie Casserole - topped with crunchy chips and baked cheese, it's easy to make and everyone loves it!
- Next time be sure to try this recipe - King Ranch Chicken Casserole with Rotel. It's a little spicy and cheesy and so good!
- This recipe for Taco Salad Casserole combines your favorite salad in a baked meal. It's delicious!
- This cheesy Chicken Enchilada Recipe or if you're watching your carbs, give the Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Casserole a try.
- One of my favorite easy recipes - Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel! It's creamy, cheesy with just a hint of spice an SO GOOD!
What did you think? Don't you just love this easy recipe? I hope so! Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear your review!
Layered Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2-3 cups cooked chicken diced
- ½ cup diced onion
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 10.5 ounces can cream of chicken soup
- 4 ounces can diced green chilis
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare 9x13 baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk and chopped green chilis. (referred to as green Chile sauce or enchilada sauce)
- Ladle a little enchilada sauce, about ¼ cup in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then layer four tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Top with diced cooked chicken, half the cheese, half the onions and half the remaining sauce.
- Layer the second layer of tortillas on top of the cheese. Spread with remaining sauce covering the entire surface. Sprinkle with remaining onions and finish with a layer of shredded cheese.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake casserole for 40 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- To brown the top of the layered green chili chicken casserole, place it under the broil for 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.
- Cover finished casserole loosely with foil and allow to set/rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- If desired, top green enchiladas with a little sour cream or a dollop of greek yogurt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Dayna says
I made this recipe yesterday. It was good overall. There weren’t instructions on what to do with the onion so I sautéed it and added it to the sauce. I also added an extra can of green chilies. It came out a tad dry in my opinion. Next time I make this I will add about 1/2 cup to 3/4 of a cup of green enchilada sauce to the recipe. Even a bit more milk would be good too.
Tim says
Really wish you would have been more specific about how to use the milk, soup and green chilis before I started making this.
Bowl Me Over says
Tim, I'm not sure what you are referring to. The complete instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Beverly A Lloyd says
I am making this for supper tonight. I am so excited. My family loves tex-mex food. I actually have everything to make it. Can't wait.
Bowl Me Over says
Oh yum!! This is a great casserole, enjoy Beverly!!!
Chasity Jade says
I was looking for a simple recipe to use up my corn tortillas and came across this and it sounds fantastic and easy. However I just used my last can of green chilies last night LOL I have some red enchilada sauce but that would totally not be the same recipe. Is there any substitution for the green chilies? I have green peppers I have jalapenos I have green olives any suggestions would be most appreciated as I would like to make this tonight for dinner thank you in advance
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Chasity, there's nothing worse than having to run to the store! What I would do is dice 1/2 green bell pepper (remove seeds/membrane) and for a little heat, dice the jalapeños. Sauté in olive oil until soft. Use that combination in place of the green chiles. (Just be careful to only add as much jalapeños as some are very spicy!) Enjoy the recipe!
Lois says
This is just a wonderful meal. I made it and just so tasty. We loved it and the left overs freeze great and they are just as tasty as it was the first time we had it.
Pamela Thomas says
Please help…I don’t see this ingredient listed in the recipe.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the “green chile enchilada sauce” - cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk and chopped chilis. Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
I'm so sorry Pamela, the green enchilada sauce is the cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk and chilis - it's those ingredients combined. I will clarify that in the recipe. My apologies for not being more clear. Thanks for bring that to my attention!
Pamela Thomas says
Thanks so much for your speedy reply! I have everything on hand to make this today. Looking forward to it!
DesertRose says
I wondered the same thing: "WHAT enchilada sauce?" I came to the comments to see if anyone else was confused. The recipe has not yet been edited, but good to know your clarification. I may try this today!
I hope you can clarify the recipe soon... 😉 All the best to you!
Michelle says
Confused over the green enchilada sauce referred in the instructions. It is not in the ingredients.
Bowl Me Over says
Sorry for the confusion, I was referencing the ingredients that are being combined for the sauce. I've removed it to alleviate any confusion. Sorry about that!