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A slice of chicken casserole on a plate with a salad.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Casseroles were created for weeknights and busy parents and this one will please the whole family. It is a one dish meal. Just add a side salad and you are set. We updated our old-time family favorite of Chicken Tortilla Casserole with a creamy sauce and corn tortillas. This is homestyle cooking, made from scratch at its best.
4.57 from 16 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 571kcal
Author: Pat Nyswonger

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh garlic grated
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white or black pepper
  • ½ cup 60g flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup sour cream

For the Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 medium sweet red bell pepper diced
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 2 cans 7oz. each chopped green chilies
  • ½ to 1 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Green onions or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F Coat a 9x13-inch oven-proof casserole dish with oil spray.

For the Sauce:

  • In a small pan set over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and when it has melted add the grated garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. Do not let it brown.
  • Add the remaining butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper and cook only until the butter is melted.  
  • Stir the flour into the butter making a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Gradually add the chicken broth whisking to combine. Continue to whisk until smooth and creamy, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth. Set aside to cool.

For the Filling:

  • in a large skillet set over medium heat add the oil and when it has warmed add the onion and red pepper. Sauté just until the onion has softened. 
  • Remove from the heat and add the shredded chicken, green chilies and cooled sauce.
  • Stir in enough of the chicken broth to make the filling thick and spoonable.   Add salt and pepper to taste.

To Assemble the Casserole:

  • Place 6 of the tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish and add 1/2 of the chicken mixture and 1/2 of the Monterey Jack Cheese and 1/2 of the cheddar cheese.  Repeat with a second layer.
  • Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick oil spray and cover the casserole, sprayed side down.  
  • Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes; then remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes until golden brown and bubbly at the edges. 
  • Transfer from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Garnish with chopped green onions and/or cilantro leaves 

Notes

  • The creamy Garlic Butter Sauce can be substituted for any recipe calling for canned cream soup. 
  • When stirring in the chicken broth, do so in increments to obtain a thick spoonable mixture.
  • This casserole can be assembled, covered and refrigerated until ready to bake/serve.
  • To freeze unbaked, cover with foil and place in freezer for up to 3 months.  To bake, thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Place in a 350° preheated oven and bake with foil for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly around the edges and golden brown on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8th of | Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 1098mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g