Description
Hearty Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole brings Mexican comfort to your dinner table with layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and zesty sauce. Slow-cooker magic combines simple ingredients for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 3–4 chicken thighs)
- 2 cups (480 ml) enchilada sauce (red or green)
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned, drained)
- 12 small corn tortillas, cut into strips
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar + Monterey Jack)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapenos
- Green onions
Instructions
- Preparation: Lightly coat the crock pot with cooking spray to prevent adherence, creating a seamless cooking surface.
- Layering: Position chicken breasts in a single, uniform layer, forming the foundation of the dish.
- Seasoning: Generously dust chicken with a complex spice blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, establishing a robust flavor foundation.
- Liquid Infusion: Cascade enchilada sauce and diced tomatoes over the seasoned chicken, allowing the liquid to envelop the meat completely.
- Slow Cooking: Seal the lid and slow cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, transforming the chicken into a tender, flavor-packed centerpiece.
- Meat Preparation: Extract chicken from the cooking liquid and meticulously shred using two forks, creating delicate, easily consumable pieces.
- Final Assembly: Reintroduce shredded chicken to the slow cooker, folding in black beans, corn, and crisp tortilla strips to create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Cheese Integration: Distribute shredded cheese throughout the casserole, ensuring an even, gooey coverage and additional flavor complexity.
- Finishing Touch: Crown the casserole with a final layer of cheese, creating a golden, bubbling surface that promises indulgent deliciousness.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the dish to rest briefly, then serve in individual portions, garnishing with optional toppings like sour cream, fresh avocado slices, or zesty jalapeños to elevate the culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose Quality Chicken: Select fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for optimal tenderness and easy shredding.
- Spice Balancing: Adjust spice blend according to personal heat preference; start with less and gradually increase for perfect flavor profile.
- Moisture Management: Avoid overcooking to prevent dry chicken; monitor liquid levels and cooking time carefully for juicy results.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap ingredients for gluten-free tortilla strips, use low-fat cheese, or replace chicken with plant-based protein for alternative dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg