Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups shredded & diced cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (divided use)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
White Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (low or no sodium preferred)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese (optional)
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles, undrained
Other
- 12 taco size flour tortillas (can substitute corn tortillas)
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
- Mix Chicken Filling: In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups of shredded and diced cooked chicken, 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly. Set aside.
- Make the White Enchilada Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about one minute until it thickens slightly and becomes fragrant, forming a roux.
- Add Liquids and Chiles: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup sour cream, 2 ounces cream cheese (if using), and the entire 4-ounce can of diced green chiles with the juice. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Once thickened, remove from heat.
- Prepare Tortillas: Stack 12 taco-size flour tortillas and cut them in half or quarters with a sharp knife to create smaller pieces that fit the baking dish.
- Assemble First Layer: Arrange 8 tortilla halves evenly to cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add First Layer of Filling: Spread one-third of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortilla layer.
- Add Sauce: Pour one-third of the white sauce evenly over the chicken layer.
- Repeat Layering: Repeat the layering process two more times with tortillas, chicken mixture, and sauce to build up three layers total.
- Top with Cheese: After the final sauce layer, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly around the edges. For a golden finish, you may broil on low for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor, but you can use any cooked, shredded chicken.
- The cream cheese in the sauce is optional; omit it for a lighter version but expect a slightly less creamy texture.
- Flour tortillas give a traditional soft texture, but corn tortillas may be used for a gluten-free option if confirmed certified.
- Watch closely when broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal