Cheesy Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas were a big hit for dinner this week. My kids requested them again for dinner the very next day, when they spied the second pan in the freezer. When they asked, I couldn’t resist the chance to have a lazy dinner. I went ahead and baked the second pan that I’d been planning to save for another meal. (I guess the “freezer meal” just came in handy sooner than later, right?)
Enchiladas are my go-to way to feed a crowd. Almost everyone likes them and the heat level can be adjusted for any tastes. Most enchilada recipes can easily be doubled or tripled and the amount of added work is minimal. Even when I’m just cooking for my own crew, I double the recipe and stash a pan in the freezer for a future meal.
Kitchen Tip: I use this pot and this baking dish when making this recipe.
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Cheesy Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas
Cheese, chicken, white beans, and plenty of chile fill this hearty enchilada casserole that the whole family will love.
4cupscooked and shredded chickendark or white meat *see above note
½teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoonkosher salt
⅛teaspooncayenne pepper
¼teaspoonchili powderI use NM Red Chile powder
10white corn tortillascut into triangles, as pictured here
6cupsshredded Mexican cheese blendor the shredded cheeses of your choice
Instructions
CHICKEN INSTRUCTIONS: Place the raw chicken (frozen is fine) in the slow cooker and set to low. Cook for 6-8 hours, until easily pulled apart. You can cook the chicken without adding anything to it, or you can season it with taco seasoning as it cooks. Pretty much anything goes. Turn off the heat and shred the chicken with tongs when it is finished cooking.
ENCHILADA INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly browned and the pan is fragrant. Add the beans, green chile, and sour cream. Stir to melt the sour cream and then stir in 1 ½ cups chile sauce, the chicken, and the spices. Taste and adjust spices as desired.
Pour ½ cup chile sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 pan and tilt the pan to coat the bottom. Layer the tortilla triangles over the sauce and then scoop about ⅓ of the chicken mixture over the tortilla layer. Sprinkle with cheese and then layer tortilla triangles over the cheese. Repeat to make two more layers.
Pour the remaining cup of chile sauce over the last layer of tortillas and then sprinkle generously with cheese. Bake until the cheese and melted and the sides of the pan are bubbling, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for ten minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
You can use any pre-cooked chicken for this recipe. I tend to use my Crock-pot for easy shredded chicken. I'm including those directions with the recipe.FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: Layer everything into the pan and when it has cooled completely, cover with foil or lids and freeze. 1-2 days before you plan to eat this, take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Once thawed, bake as noted above.
Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.
I’ve never seen anything other than 6-inch or so corn tortillas in a store. If you do have a variety to choose from, any size will work fine. You’re going to cut them up into bite-size pieces and layer them into the dish that way. Happy cooking!
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allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
I have four boys, love feeding a crowd! Will definitely make one to eat, one to freeze, great recipe. Pinning!
Tricia Buice says
Yummy! Who wouldn't love this. Your boys have great taste 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend.
Sue/the view from great island says
You are sooo smart to make 3 pans of this stuff – yum!
vicki walters says
I’m not sure what size of tortillas to use..there are 3 sizes in my grocery store.
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never seen anything other than 6-inch or so corn tortillas in a store. If you do have a variety to choose from, any size will work fine. You’re going to cut them up into bite-size pieces and layer them into the dish that way. Happy cooking!