Flavorful Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this delightful sour cream chicken enchilada casserole that promises to satisfy every craving.

Layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and rich sauce create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Creamy and indulgent, this dish blends traditional Mexican-inspired ingredients with a homestyle twist.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of spice and smoothness that will transport you to culinary bliss.

The casserole comes together effortlessly, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eager to dig into this irresistible meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Don’t wait another moment to experience this ultimate comfort food masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

Chicken Enchilada Casserole Must-Haves

• Tortillas: Soft corn tortillas add comforting texture and authentic Mexican foundation, choose fresh and pliable varieties.
• Baking Dish: Glass or ceramic dish ensures even heat distribution and prevents sticking.

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that absorbs delicious sauce flavors, use rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken for best results.
• Sour Cream: Provides rich, tangy creaminess and helps bind ingredients together, select full-fat version for maximum richness.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates smooth, velvety sauce base with deep savory undertones, opt for low-sodium varieties.

• Garlic Powder: Adds warm, aromatic depth without raw garlic intensity.
• Onion Powder: Brings subtle sweet-savory complexity to the dish.
• Cumin: Introduces earthy, warm Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Green Chilies: Delivers mild heat and bright, vibrant pepper notes.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and intensifying overall taste.

• Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating golden, irresistible crust, shredded Mexican blend works perfectly.
• Fresh Cilantro: Adds fresh, bright finishing touch with herbal complexity.

Tools That Help With This Creamy Bake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining creamy sauce ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect size for layering enchilada casserole components.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
• Cheese grater: For shredding cheese evenly and quickly.
• Foil: Covers casserole during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cutting tortillas and chopping cilantro garnish.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix sauce and spread layers evenly.

How to Build a Sour Cream Chicken Casserole

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Whip Together the Creamy Mixture

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine sour cream, chicken soup, and a blend of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. Stir until everything looks smooth and delicious.

• Layer Your Flavor Adventure

Start by spreading a thin sauce base on the bottom of your dish. Then create mouthwatering layers of tortilla pieces, tender chicken, creamy sauce, and melty cheese. Repeat these layers, making sure cheese crowns the top.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and let it cook for another 10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.

• Finish and Feast

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve this delectable dish alongside rice or a crisp salad and watch everyone dig in with excitement.

Ways to Switch Up Your Filling or Toppings

• Prep the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the oven when ready to bake, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
• Swap chicken with shredded turkey, pulled pork, or black beans for a delicious protein alternative that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot green chilies, or add diced jalapeños for extra kick. For a milder version, use fewer chilies or omit them completely.
• Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and ensure cream of chicken soup is gluten-free. Check all ingredients to make the entire dish celiac-safe and equally delicious.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini between layers. These vegetables blend seamlessly with the creamy sauce and add extra color and flavor.

Serve Casserole With a Tex-Mex Twist

• Fresh Fiesta Plate Pairing: Serve this creamy enchilada casserole with Mexican-style white rice sprinkled with fresh cilantro for a delightful and complementary side.
• Zesty Green Companions: Add a crisp side salad with mixed greens, diced tomatoes, and a tangy lime vinaigrette to balance the rich and cheesy casserole.
• Cooling Cream Topper: Dollop extra sour cream or fresh guacamole on top just before serving to enhance the creamy texture and add a cool, smooth contrast to the warm dish.
• Hearty Protein Boost: Pair with refried beans or black beans for a complete meal that provides additional protein and traditional Mexican-inspired flavors.

Keep Your Enchilada Casserole Fresh

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire casserole in a 350F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking, storing covered in the refrigerator. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to bring to room temperature for even cooking.

Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Chicken enchilada casserole brings comfort and zest to dinner tables with layers of creamy sour cream sauce and tender chicken nestled between tortillas. Hearty Mexican-inspired flavors create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
• 2 cups (226 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese (or Monterey Jack)
• 1 (10 oz/280 g) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 8 small corn tortillas, cut into quarters
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chilies
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth (to thin out sauce, if needed)
• ½ cup (20 g) chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and diced green chilies into a smooth, creamy mixture.
3. Layering Technique: Spread a delicate layer of sauce across the baking dish bottom, then artfully construct alternating strata of tortilla fragments, tender shredded chicken, rich sauce, and melting cheese. Ensure the final layer showcases a generous blanket of cheese for optimal golden-brown coverage.
4. Baking Process: Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and roast for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape.
5. Finishing Touch: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, then generously scatter fresh cilantro across the surface. Serve piping hot alongside complementary sides like fluffy rice, hearty beans, or a crisp garden salad.

Notes

• Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep or leftover grilled chicken for added smoky flavor. Shred meat finely for better texture and even distribution throughout the casserole.
• Adjust sauce thickness by adding milk or reducing cream of chicken soup if it seems too thick. Ensure creamy sauce coats ingredients evenly without becoming watery.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican-style cheese for extra kick. Add diced jalapeños or green onions for more depth and complexity.
• Make gluten-free by using corn tortillas and checking soup ingredients. Substitute low-fat sour cream and reduced-sodium soup for healthier version. Consider using Greek yogurt as a protein-rich alternative to sour cream.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg