Description
Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole brings spicy Mexican comfort straight to my dinner table with layers of crispy tortillas, tender chicken, and zesty salsa. Melted cheese and fresh cilantro make this dish a total crowd-pleaser that friends and family always request when they visit.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Main Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) tortilla chips
- 1 ½ cups salsa verde
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup sour cream
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds. Sauté 1 finely chopped medium onion until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir quickly for 15-20 seconds until aromatic, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Pour 1 ½ cups salsa verde into the skillet. Reduce heat to low and blend in ½ cup sour cream, stirring until sauce becomes smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate 3 cups shredded chicken into the verde sauce. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to coat chicken completely.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Create first layer using 3 ounces tortilla chips, spreading them across dish bottom. Distribute half the chicken mixture evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the first layer. Repeat with remaining chips, chicken, and 1 cup cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and casserole edges turn golden brown. Optional: Broil for 2 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro, diced avocado, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges as desired.
Notes
- Toast the tortilla chips briefly before layering to enhance their crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
- Drain excess liquid from salsa verde to keep the casserole from becoming watery and maintain a rich, thick consistency.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation and deeper flavor if time is limited.
- Customize the heat level by selecting mild, medium, or spicy salsa verde according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg