Description
A layered tomatillo chicken casserole with tender shredded chicken, corn tortillas, salsa, and melted reduced-fat cheese baked into a comforting Mexican-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 poblano or pasilla chile pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, halved
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 1 3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat Mexican style cheese
- 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
Instructions
- Cut prepared tomatillos into quarters and place in a food processor
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat
- Add onion, garlic, and chile pepper and cook until tender and lightly browned
- Add sautéed vegetables to the tomatillos along with cilantro, cumin, and salt
- Blend until the mixture becomes smooth
- Spray a 2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray
- Spread 3/4 cup tomatillo mixture in the bottom of the dish
- Arrange 6 tortilla halves over the sauce
- Top with 1 cup shredded chicken, 1/2 cup cheese, and half of the salsa
- Add 6 more tortilla halves, remaining chicken, 1/2 cup cheese, and half of the remaining tomatillo sauce
- Add another tortilla layer, 1 cup remaining chicken, and the rest of the tomatillo sauce
- Top with the final tortilla halves and remaining salsa
- Cover and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes
- Remove foil, sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup cheese, and bake another 20 minutes until melted
- Let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving
Notes
- Resting the casserole helps the tortillas absorb the sauce and improves texture
- Rotisserie chicken can save time when preparing this recipe
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado, or lime before serving
- Prep Time: 8 hours 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 75