Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I have been asked for this recipe by a few different people so here it is – finally! I like to make it for larger groups and potlucks as it feeds up to twelve people. There are quite a few similar recipes for this type of casserole. I think what makes this one different is the chili cream sauce I came up with. It adds a nice depth of flavor and extra creaminess.

A rotisserie chicken from the market works very well for this recipe if you don’t want to cook your own. Just remove the skin and shred the meat away from the bones with two forks. It should yield @ 1 lb.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 large onion, sliced, slightly caramelized

1 lb shredded chicken

1 7oz can diced green chili

1 cup salsa verde (tomatillo salsa)

1 cup sour cream

chili salsa de crema (see below)

16 oz sharp cheddar, shredded

16 corn tortillas

Chili Salsa de Crema

2TB butter

2TB cornstarch or flour

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup milk

1 Santa Fe chili pepper (dried)

1 bay leaf

1 tsp chili powder (medium hot)

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 oregano flakes (preferably Mexican)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp red pepper

salt to taste

Place sliced onion in a large saute pan (the heavier the better, cast iron works well) with a tablespoon or two of corn oil or olive oil. Sprinkle with salt (I use kosher) and cook over med-high heat, stirring often with a spatula, until the onions begin to become translucent then turn down heat to med-low and cook until the edges are golden brown.

Meanwhile, start your sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together butter and cornstarch or flour with a wire whisk until smooth. Allow to cook for a couple minutes, stirring almost constantly. (Congratulations to beginners, you just made a roux!)

Gradually add chicken stock and and milk, stirring constantly and briskly until well incorporated. If you’re new to this, be warned that the mixture is going to seize up and become very thick after adding the first small amounts of the liquid. Stay with it and keep stirring and adding the liquid and you’ll be fine!

Add chili pepper in pieces (kitchen shears work well) and stir in the rest of the spices.

Check your onions.

Allow sauce to cook over medium heat until it thickens a bit. It should be a little thicker than heavy cream.

Strain the sauce into a large bowl to remove the chili pepper – it’s done it’s job. Set aside.

When the onions are lightly caramelized, add chicken and diced green chili peppers.

Then add salsa verde (the Safeway brand is good) and sour cream and stir.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Before you begin assembling the casserole, soften your tortillas in a hot pan, with a small amount of oil. It just takes a minute or two for them to soften, make sure to get both sides. To be honest, I find this step quite tedious but necessary. If you want to go rogue and skip it, I understand but can’t promise as good of an outcome.

Finally, we’re ready to assemble! You’ll notice I’m using two casserole dishes. I was taking one to my moms-of-multiples retreat and leaving the other for my family. Normally, I would just use a 9×11 pyrex pan or my large dutch oven and I suggest you do the same.

Make sure you have your tortilla, sauce, cheese and chicken mixture handy. Spray pan with non-stick spray or oil it. Start with a little sauce…

Add a layer of tortillas. Have your way with them and tear them to fit if you want. Go crazy.

Next, add chicken mixture…

then cheese…

and start all over again. Repeat until you’ve used all your ingredients.

It’s important to end with enough sauce to cover the tortillas then add a good layer of cheese on top!

Cover with foil (I highly recommend spraying the foil with non-stick spray before placing over cheese!) and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is starting to brown on top.

Allow casserole to rest (it’s very tired) for 15 – 20 minutes before serving. Top with a little sour cream and more salsa if you like!

I just read a book called Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. It was very powerful, as was Wayne Dyer’s new book titled Wishes Fulfilled. I “randomly” came across Dyer’s PBS special on which Moorjani was a guest, and was compelled to download both books to my kindle. After reading them both, I’m feeling less fearful and more excited about life. I need reminders every now and then! Dyer ended his book with this poem by Rumi. He says remember…

You were born with potential.

You were born with goodness and trust.

You were born with ideals and dreams.

You were born with greatness.

You were born with wings.

You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.

You have wings.

Learn to use them and fly.

~Rumi