Creamy Rooster Enchilada Casserole

This recipe turns enchiladas into a straightforward, creamy casserole. Tremendous straightforward to place collectively, and the avocado cream sauce makes this one particular. Severely, you’ll need this sauce on all the pieces. I like to save lots of somewhat additional and scoop it up with some tortilla chips—so good!

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

Why Our Recipe

• The creamy avocado sauce is purpose alone to make this recipe!
• Corn tortillas preserve this casserole from changing into soggy.
• Use rotisserie or leftover rooster to whip up this dish with minimal prep work.

This recipe took place as a result of I needed 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 purple pepper flakes.

Ingredient Notes

• Lengthy Grain Rice: Use a very good high quality lengthy grain rice for one of the best texture, like Jasmine or Basmati. The generic baggage labeled as simply “lengthy grain white rice” usually tend to find yourself mushy.
• Rooster: Rotisserie rooster works nice on this recipe, or use leftovers. For those who’re utilizing uncooked rooster, cook dinner it totally earlier than including it to the casserole.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice means that you can greatest management the flavour. It’s an important chef tip.
• Jalapeño: Completely elective! Recent jalapeños add a pleasant spicy crunch, or use pickled for rather less warmth.
• Salsa Verde: Seize a jar of your favourite delicate or medium salsa verde. Use no matter warmth stage you want.
• Avocados: You need an avocado that’s completely ripe. Attempt urgent on the very high of the fruit, the place the stem was. If it offers somewhat, it ought to be ripe.
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a superb substitute in the event 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 in the event you want.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You possibly can simply substitute with a Mexican cheese mix or pepper jack cheese for somewhat kick.

Rooster Choices

This recipe requires shredded cooked rooster. You’ve bought 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 would be able to purchase and shred. Professional tip: it’s often offered as a “loss chief,” which means they promote it for lower than it prices, making it one of the best bang on your buck in terms of rooster. Some shops are additionally now providing the rotisserie rooster pre-shredded and packaged, too, which is fairly handy.

Frozen Cooked Rooster – try the freezer part of your grocery retailer for pre-cooked rooster strips and chunks offered in baggage.

Bake Your Personal Rooster – lay rooster 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 immediately, or freeze for later use.

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

Spice it Up or Down

For those who’re on the lookout for extra warmth, seize a medium or sizzling salsa for the sauce and add in that jalapeño! It’s also possible to high with contemporary jalapeño slices for an additional kick. Higher but, sprinkle some purple pepper flakes on high for some coloration and warmth!

For a milder choice, stick to delicate 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. Remember to retailer it coated with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to forestall it from drying out. Take away the masking and bake when able to eat.