Hearty Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole for Weeknights (Print Version)
Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole is a vibrant, comforting dish. Layered with zesty salsa verde, tender chicken, and cheese, it's a family-friendly favorite.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Dietary: Comfort Food
# Ingredients:
→ For the Zesty Chicken Filling
01 -
Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced, about 3 cups.
02 -
Salsa Verde: Two 16-ounce jars (or about 4 cups homemade).
03 -
Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened.
04 -
Sour Cream: 1/2 cup.
→ For Layering & Texture
05 -
Corn Tortillas: 12-15 small tortillas.
06 -
Green Chiles: One 4-ounce can, diced.
→ Cheesy Topping
07 -
Monterey Jack Cheese: 2 cups, shredded.
08 -
Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded.
→ Finishing Touches (Optional but Recommended!)
09 -
Fresh Cilantro: Chopped, for garnish.
10 -
Avocado: Sliced or diced, for serving.
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, first things first! Grab a big bowl. Toss in your shredded chicken, a jar of salsa verde (just one for now!), that softened cream cheese, and the sour cream. Give it a really good mix until everything is combined and kinda creamy. I always get a little messy here, splashing salsa on the counter—oops! But it smells so good already, bright and tangy, that I honestly don't even mind the clean-up for this Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole.
02 -
This step is crucial for a pliable, not-too-tough casserole. Lightly warm your corn tortillas in a dry skillet for about 15-20 seconds per side, or microwave them briefly between damp paper towels. They should be soft and flexible, not crispy. I once skipped this, and my casserole layers were stiff as boards! Learned that lesson the hard way, trust me. This makes them easy to work with for your Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole.
03 -
Time to build! Grab your 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour about half a cup of the remaining salsa verde into the bottom and spread it around. This keeps things from sticking and adds flavor. Then, lay down a single layer of softened tortillas, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom. Don't worry if they tear a little; it's all going to get covered up anyway. This is where the magic of a good Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole starts.
04 -
Now, spoon about half of your creamy chicken mixture over the tortillas. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle half of the diced green chiles over the chicken, then about a third of your shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese mix. It’s okay if it looks a little rustic; that's the charm of a homemade casserole! I sometimes add a tiny bit more cheese here because, well, why not? This layer is key for a delicious Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole.
05 -
Lay down another layer of tortillas over the chicken and cheese. Then, add the rest of the chicken mixture, the remaining green chiles, and another third of the cheese. Finally, for the grand finale, place the last layer of tortillas on top, pour over the remaining salsa verde, and generously sprinkle with the rest of your cheese. This is where your Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole really starts to shine, getting ready for that golden-brown crust!
06 -
Pop your assembled casserole into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until it's bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and beautifully golden. The whole kitchen will smell amazing, like a fiesta! Let it rest for 5-10 minutes after baking; this helps it set so it doesn't fall apart when you serve it. Trust me, waiting is the hardest part, but it's worth it for a perfect slice of this Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole.
# Notes:
01 -
Always soften your tortillas! Otherwise, they get tough and chewy in the oven, and nobody wants that in their casserole.
02 -
Don't skimp on the cream cheese and sour cream; they are key to that luscious, creamy filling. I once tried to cut back, and it was just... dry.
03 -
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. It helps the layers settle and makes for cleaner slices. I've learned this the hard way trying to cut it too soon.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
9x13 inch baking dish
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
large skillet (optional
04 -
for softening tortillas)
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 30g