Description
Hearty comfort meets Mexican-inspired cuisine in this mouthwatering Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole, blending zesty flavors with creamy textures. Layers of tender chicken, tangy salsa verde, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that brings warmth and excitement to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid Components:
- 32 ounces (907 grams) salsa verde (2 16-ounce jars)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Tortillas and Cheese:
- 12 small corn tortillas (cut in half)
- 3 cups freshly shredded monterey jack cheese
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Crumbled cotija cheese
- Jalapeno slices
- Chopped red onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×12-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, sauté onions with a pinch of salt over medium heat until translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet, stirring for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate chicken into the spiced onion mixture, ensuring even coating and cooking throughout.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk salsa verde and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
- Create the first casserole layer by spreading ¾ cup of salsa verde mixture across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Arrange the first set of tortilla halves directly over the sauce layer, covering the entire surface.
- Distribute half of the seasoned chicken evenly across the tortillas, followed by 1 cup of salsa verde and ½ cup of cheese.
- Repeat the layering process with another set of tortilla halves, remaining chicken, additional salsa verde, and cheese.
- Complete the casserole with a final layer of tortillas, remaining salsa verde, and cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese is completely melted and edges appear golden and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with optional toppings and serving.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or spicy salsa verde to match your taste preferences.
- Swap corn tortillas with whole wheat or gluten-free options for alternative dietary needs.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken for faster preparation and added flavor complexity.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld before baking for enhanced taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg