Creamy Rooster Enchilada Casserole

This recipe turns enchiladas into a simple, creamy casserole. Tremendous simple to place collectively, and the avocado cream sauce makes this one particular. Severely, you’ll need this sauce on every little thing. I like to avoid wasting a little bit further and scoop it up with some tortilla chips—so good!

For extra enchilada love, strive our Beef Enchiladas or our Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.

This recipe took place as a result of I wished to make one thing for my grandma. She wanted one thing gentle to eat, and I like shocking her with taste. And thus, this casserole was born! We love this recipe as a result of it’s gentle, not soggy, and creamy, however not bland. Plus, you’ll be able to simply spice it up a bit extra with that jalapeño or some crimson pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use a superb high quality lengthy grain rice for one of the best texture, like Jasmine or Basmati. The generic luggage labeled as simply “lengthy grain white rice” usually tend to find yourself mushy.
• Rooster: Rotisserie hen works nice on this recipe, or use leftovers. When you’re utilizing uncooked hen, prepare dinner it totally earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to finest management the flavour. It’s an incredible chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely non-compulsory! Recent jalapeños add a pleasant spicy crunch, or use pickled for rather less warmth.
• Salsa Verde: Seize a jar of your favourite gentle or medium salsa verde. Use no matter warmth degree you want.
• Avocados: You need an avocado that’s completely ripe. Strive urgent on the very high of the fruit, the place the stem was. If it offers a little bit, it needs to be ripe.
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute when you don’t have (or don’t like) bitter cream.
• Corn Tortillas: We use corn tortillas for his or her agency texture, however you’ll be able to completely use flour tortillas when you favor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You possibly can simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for a little bit kick.

Rooster Choices

This recipe requires shredded cooked hen. You’ve obtained just a few choices to select from, so take your choose! We’ve used all of them.

Rotisserie Rooster – many grocery shops these days promote cooked rotisserie chickens that you may purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s often offered as a “loss chief,” that means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it one of the best bang to your buck on the subject of hen. Some shops are additionally now providing the rotisserie hen pre-shredded and packaged, too, which is fairly handy.

Frozen Cooked Rooster – take a look at the freezer part of your grocery retailer for pre-cooked hen strips and chunks offered in luggage.

Bake Your Personal Rooster – lay hen breasts out right into a frivolously greased 9×13 pan. Season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 levels for 25 to half-hour till cooked by. Chop into chunks and use instantly, or freeze for later use.

Fast Skillet Rooster – warmth a big heavy skillet over medium-high warmth. Add in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Place hen breasts into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook dinner 5 to 7 minutes per aspect. Let cool after which shred.

Spice it Up or Down

When you’re searching for extra warmth, seize a medium or sizzling salsa for the sauce and add in that jalapeño! You too can high with contemporary jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some crimson pepper flakes on high for some shade and warmth!

For a milder possibility, persist with gentle salsa. Take away the seeds and stem from the jalapeño, including half as an alternative of the entire pepper. Or, omit the pepper fully.

Make-Forward Directions

This enchilada casserole can simply be made forward. Assemble and refrigerate earlier than baking, as much as 1 day prematurely. Make sure to retailer it lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stop it from drying out. Take away the protecting and bake when able to eat.