Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake: Comfort Food Made Quick
Craving the comforting flavors of chicken enchiladas but short on time? Look no further than this Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake! This crowd-pleasing dish delivers all the classic enchilada taste with a fraction of the prep work, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Get ready to dive into layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and authentic Mexican spices – no tedious rolling required.
🌟 Recipe Highlights
What sets this Chicken Enchilada Bake apart is its unbeatable combination of convenience and flavor. By skipping the traditional enchilada-rolling step, you save valuable time without compromising on taste. The recipe calls for simple, readily available ingredients that come together to create a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired dish. Plus, this bake is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your dietary preferences or serving needs.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 (10oz) can enchilada sauce
- 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
The beauty of this Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of shredded chicken, black beans, and signature enchilada spices creates the Tex-Mex-inspired flavor profile that has made enchilada recipes perennially popular.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 3: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and layer half of the quartered corn tortillas in the bottom. Top with the chicken mixture, then the remaining tortilla quarters.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 6: Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Timing Overview
• Cook time: 20-25 minutes
• Total time: 30-35 minutes
Compared to traditional chicken enchiladas, which can take up to 45 minutes to prepare, this Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake saves you 25% of your cooking time while delivering similar flavors.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
• Protein: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fat: 13g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sodium: 846mg
These Easy Chicken Enchilada Bakes provide approximately 54% of your daily protein requirements and 28% of your daily fiber needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.
🍃 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Lower-carb version: Swap the corn tortillas for low-carb tortillas or skip the tortillas entirely and serve the filling over a bed of cauliflower rice or salad greens.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Replace the cheese with a dairy-free alternative, such as cashew-based or soy-based shredded cheese.
• Added protein: Boost the protein content by adding extra shredded chicken, cooked ground turkey, or plant-based protein like black beans or lentils.
• Boost vegetables: Increase the nutritional value by mixing in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the chicken filling.
These modifications can reduce calories by up to 20% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake.
🍴 Perfect Pairings
• Pair with a crisp green salad or Mexican-inspired slaw for a complete and balanced meal.
• Complement the dish with a side of rice and refried beans for a traditional Tex-Mex experience.
• For a family-style gathering, serve alongside grilled or roasted vegetables and a pitcher of refreshing agua fresca or margaritas.
🚨 Recipe Troubleshooting
• Soggy tortillas: Make sure to cut the tortillas into quarters before layering them in the dish. This helps prevent them from becoming too saturated and mushy.
• Unevenly cooked bake: Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the baking dish, and cover the top layer of tortillas completely with the remaining cheese. This ensures the dish bakes through properly.
🏆 The Bottom Line
These Easy Chicken Enchilada Bakes represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as a family weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish, they’re sure to impress with their melty, cheesy goodness and authentic Mexican-inspired taste. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these chicken enchilada bakes demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the assembly. So why wait? Dive into the irresistible comfort of this Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake tonight!
Easy Chicken Enchilada Bake: Comfort Food Made Quick
⏱️ Timing Overview
🥘 Ingredients
📝 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and layer half of the quartered corn tortillas in the bottom. Top with the chicken mixture, then the remaining tortilla quarters.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
