Chicken enchilada casserole with cheese and herbs

Budget Dinners

Rotisserie Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Layers of tortillas, smoky enchilada sauce, beans, chicken, and cheese—built like lasagna, eaten like victory.

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Cost$2.45

Directions

  1. Mix the filling

    Heat oven to 375°F. Combine chicken, beans, corn, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce.

  2. Start the layers

    Spread 1/2 cup sauce in a 9-by-13-inch dish. Add 4 tortillas, tearing as needed to cover the bottom.

  3. Build

    Add half the chicken filling, 1/3 of the remaining sauce, and 1 cup cheese. Repeat. Finish with tortillas, sauce, and remaining cheese.

  4. Bake

    Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes until browned and bubbling.

  5. Rest

    Rest 10 minutes. Top with cilantro, scallions, and lime.

Why this works

Why it worksCorn tortillas absorb sauce and become tender without turning gummy.
Why it worksRotisserie chicken turns a casserole into a true weeknight recipe.
Why it worksResting keeps layers from sliding apart.

Swaps & notes

Easy swaps

  • Use green enchilada sauce and Monterey Jack.
  • Swap chicken for ground beef or sautéed vegetables.
  • Greek yogurt can replace sour cream.

Cook notes

  • Warm tortillas for 20 seconds if they crack while layering.
  • Enchilada sauces vary in salt, so taste the filling before seasoning.

Storage

Refrigerate 4 days. Freeze assembled and unbaked up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking.

Questions

Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate.

Why is my casserole soggy?

Use the stated sauce amount and let it rest before slicing.

Can I use flour tortillas?

Yes, but the texture will be softer and more bread-like.

Rotisserie Chicken Enchilada Casserole
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1. Mix the fillingHeat oven to 375°F. Combine chicken, beans, corn, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce.
2. Start the layersSpread 1/2 cup sauce in a 9-by-13-inch dish. Add 4 tortillas, tearing as needed to cover the bottom.
3. BuildAdd half the chicken filling, 1/3 of the remaining sauce, and 1 cup cheese. Repeat. Finish with tortillas, sauce, and remaining cheese.
4. BakeCover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes until browned and bubbling.
5. RestRest 10 minutes. Top with cilantro, scallions, and lime.