The Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe is warm, cheesy and full of comfort. It is perfect for busy nights. This dish uses simple pantry foods.
The flavors are bold but friendly. Families love it. You can prep it fast. You can bake it once. Today, I will share How to make Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole step by step.
I will also list Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole clearly. Let’s cook an easy, happy dinner.
My Experience With This Recipe
I made this casserole on a weeknight. I needed something easy. The kitchen smelled amazing. The cheese melted perfectly.
The tortillas soaked the sauce just right. My family loved every bite. There were no leftovers. I liked how simple it felt.
No rolling enchiladas. Just layer and bake. This recipe is now a regular meal. It always brings comfort and smiles.
Recipe Card info
- Recipe Name: Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Calories: 420 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Oven
Ingredients You Need for Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Cooked chicken, shredded – 3 cups
- Corn tortillas – 10 small
- Red enchilada sauce – 2 cups
- Cream of chicken soup – 1 can
- Sour cream – ½ cup
- Onion, chopped – 1 small
- Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Cheddar cheese, shredded – 1½ cups
- Monterey Jack cheese, shredded – 1 cup
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
- Cumin – ½ teaspoon
- Chili powder – ½ teaspoon
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish. This helps the casserole release easily after baking.
2. Cook Onion and Garlic
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and garlic. Cook for three minutes. Stir often until soft and fragrant.
3. Make the Sauce
Add enchilada sauce, soup and sour cream to the skillet. Stir well. Add salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Simmer five minutes.
4. Add the Chicken
Add shredded chicken to the sauce. Mix gently. Let it heat through for two minutes. Turn off the heat.
5. Prepare Tortillas
Cut tortillas into strips or small pieces. This helps layering. It also soaks sauce better while baking.
6. Start Layering
Spread a small amount of sauce in the dish. Add tortilla pieces. Top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle some cheese.
7. Repeat Layers
Repeat layers until ingredients finish. End with sauce and lots of cheese on top. Press lightly to even.
8. Bake the Casserole
Place dish in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. The cheese should melt and bubble nicely.
9. Rest Before Serving
Remove casserole carefully. Let it rest for five minutes. This helps it set and slice cleanly.
Recipe Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Warm tortillas before cutting for easy handling.
- Add green chilies for extra flavor.
- Use fresh cheese for better melt.
- Let it rest before cutting.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
Serving Suggestions
Serve this casserole hot from the oven. Add chopped cilantro on top. A spoon of sour cream tastes great. You can add sliced avocado.
Lime wedges add freshness. This dish works well for family dinners. It also feeds guests easily. Everyone can scoop their own portion.
Best Sides To Serve With
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Fresh green salad
- Corn on the cob
- Enchiladas with Salsa
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for three days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Cover with foil. You can microwave small portions. Stir halfway for even heat. This casserole also freezes well for one month.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken shredded – 3 cups
- Corn tortillas – 10 small
- Red enchilada sauce – 2 cups
- Cream of chicken soup – 1 can
- Sour cream – ½ cup
- Onion chopped – 1 small
- Garlic minced – 2 cloves
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Cheddar cheese shredded – 1½ cups
- Monterey Jack cheese shredded – 1 cup
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
- Cumin – ½ teaspoon
- Chili powder – ½ teaspoon
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish. This helps the casserole release easily after baking.
Cook Onion and Garlic
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and garlic. Cook for three minutes. Stir often until soft and fragrant.
Make the Sauce
- Add enchilada sauce, soup and sour cream to the skillet. Stir well. Add salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Simmer five minutes.
Add the Chicken
- Add shredded chicken to the sauce. Mix gently. Let it heat through for two minutes. Turn off the heat.
Prepare Tortillas
- Cut tortillas into strips or small pieces. This helps layering. It also soaks sauce better while baking.
Start Layering
- Spread a small amount of sauce in the dish. Add tortilla pieces. Top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle some cheese.
Repeat Layers
- Repeat layers until ingredients finish. End with sauce and lots of cheese on top. Press lightly to even.
Bake the Casserole
- Place dish in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. The cheese should melt and bubble nicely.
Rest Before Serving
- Remove casserole carefully. Let it rest for five minutes. This helps it set and slice cleanly.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Warm tortillas before cutting for easy handling.
- Add green chilies for extra flavor.
- Use fresh cheese for better melt.
- Let it rest before cutting.
FAQs about Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
1. Can I make Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it early. Cover and refrigerate. Bake when ready. Add five extra minutes to cooking time.
2. How to make Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole less spicy?
Use mild enchilada sauce. Skip chili powder. Add more sour cream. This keeps flavors gentle and creamy.
3. What Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole are most important?
Good enchilada sauce and cheese matter most. Fresh chicken also improves taste and texture greatly.
4. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Yes, but corn tortillas hold sauce better. Flour tortillas make it softer and more like a lasagna.
5. Is this casserole good for meal prep?
Yes, it reheats well. The flavors improve overnight. It is great for packed lunches and busy days.
Conclusion
This Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe is simple and comforting. It uses easy steps and common foods.
You now know How to make Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole at home. The layers are cheesy and satisfying.
It feeds many people with little effort. Try it once and it may become a favorite dinner. Enjoy every warm, cozy bite.
Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.
