Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a hearty and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish that combines tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich enchilada sauce with tomatoes, seasoned tortillas, and melted cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this casserole is made entirely in the slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 (10 ounce) cans red enchilada sauce
- 1 (10 ounce) can tomatoes with diced green chiles, drained
Other Ingredients
- 12 ounces corn tortillas, cut into wedges
- 2 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the liner of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Layer Chicken and Seasoning: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle evenly with taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper to infuse flavor as it cooks.
- Add Sauce and Tomatoes: Pour the enchilada sauce followed by the drained tomatoes with diced green chiles over the chicken breasts to create the casserole’s base.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb the rich flavors.
- Prepare Tortillas: While the chicken cooks, cut the corn tortillas into wedges to prepare for layering in the casserole.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it well with the sauce.
- Combine Tortillas and Cheese: Stir the tortilla wedges and half of the shredded cheese into the shredded chicken mixture, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
- Form the Casserole Layer: Press the mixture into an even layer inside the slow cooker. Then, top with the remaining tortilla wedges for added texture.
- Finish Cooking: Re-cover the slow cooker and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Nutritional facts provided are estimates and may vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use.
- For a detailed nutritional analysis, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with exact measurements and brands.
