Easy Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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This cozy Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole is perfect for Crocktober, game days, or busy weeknights when you want something hearty, family-friendly, and a little indulgent. With layers of tender chicken, salsa verde, tortillas, and melty cheese, it's a no-fuss comfort food dinner everyone will love.

Try these reader favorites for more Southwest flavors: easiest baked chicken enchiladas or layered Mexican Lasagna Skillet Casserole.

A slice of creamy crock pot chicken enchilada casserole topped with salsa and jalapeños, served with fresh cilantro and a glass of iced tea in the background.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
Total Time: About 3 ½ to 4 hours
Servings: 6

Why you’ll love it:

Handful of ingredients: There are only 5 key ingredients in this recipe, plus spices!
Make-ahead friendly: Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.
Hands-off cooking: Let the slow cooker do the work.
Crowd-pleaser: Cheesy, saucy, cozy-perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or game days.

Table of Contents

Key Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this casserole:

Ingredients for a Chicken Enchilada casserole are laid out on a white surface, featuring raw chicken breasts, sour cream, shredded cheese, spices, corn tortillas, and salsa verde-perfect for an easy crock pot meal.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender and easy to shred after cooking.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, plus a touch of cinnamon and coriander for warmth and depth.
Corn tortillas (6-inch): These soften in the slow cooker and create delicious layers, almost like a Mexican lasagna.
Salsa verde or green chile enchilada sauce: Choose mild or spicy depending on your family's taste.
Monterey Jack cheese: Melty and creamy, though Pepper Jack or a Mexican blend also work.
Reduced-fat sour cream: Adds creaminess without being too heavy. 1

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Use this section for process shots, alternating between the step and image showing the step. Users don’t like seeing process shots cluttering up the recipe card, so include your process shots here.

Raw meat with seasoning sits in a Crock Pot, partially covered by a yellowish liquid, on a white wooden surface-perfect for starting a flavorful chicken enchilada casserole.

Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, coriander, and cinnamon. Pour the salsa verde over the top, cover, and cook 2 hours on HIGH or 3 hours on LOW.

Shredded chicken in broth inside a black Crock Pot, placed on a white wooden surface.

Step 2: Shred the chicken in the crockpot into large shreds; they are not finished cooking yet.

A Crock Pot filled with shredded chicken, shredded cheese, and two scoops of cream cheese creates the perfect base for a Chicken Enchilada casserole on a white wooden surface.

Step 3: Cut the tortillas into wedges and add 2/3 of them to the crockpot along with half of the cheese and all of the sour cream. Stir to combine.

A Crock Pot sits on a white wooden surface, filled with a creamy Chicken Enchilada casserole mixture and layers of corn tortilla pieces.

Step 4: Top the casserole with the remaining corn tortilla wedges.

A Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and creamy sauce layered inside, sits on a white wooden surface.

Step 5: Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.

A round cheesy Chicken Enchilada casserole topped with fresh cilantro sits inside a black Crock Pot on a white wooden surface.

Step 6: Cover and cook for another 45 to 1 hour and serve!

Variations

Other enchilada casseroles: If you love this recipe, you'll also enjoy our Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Casserole or seasonal Butternut Squash Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Spicy twist: Use hot salsa verde and add diced jalapeños.
Extra veggies: Stir in corn, black beans, or sautéed peppers with the chicken.
Cheese swap: Try Pepper Jack for a spicy kick or Cheddar for a sharper flavor.

Tips You’ll Want to Bookmark!

Serving ideas: Pair with Mexican rice, chips and guacamole, or try a layered Easy Taco Casserole or One Pot Taco Pasta for another family-friendly option.tent link)
Cut tortillas into wedges: They blend more evenly into the casserole than whole tortillas.
Use leftover chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut-just skip the first cook step and roll them into easiest baked chicken enchiladas instead.

Storage

Once the chicken casserole has cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months and reheat in the microwave.

FAQ

Can I make Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Season and cook the chicken, then shred and add the mix-ins of tortillas, sour cream, and cheese. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, cook on high for 1-2 hours before serving or until the casserole is cooked through.

Can I freeze slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole?

Absolutely. Let the casserole cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.

What's the best cheese for crock pot enchiladas?

Monterey Jack is creamy and mild, but you can use Pepper Jack for extra spice or Cheddar for a sharper flavor.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

Corn tortillas hold up better in the slow cooker, but flour tortillas will work in a pinch. They'll just have a softer texture.

What toppings go best with slow cooker chicken enchiladas?

Fresh toppings brighten the dish-try avocado, cilantro, pico de gallo, or a squeeze of lime.

A plate of cheesy crock pot chicken enchilada casserole topped with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro, served with fresh cilantro on the side; bowls of sour cream and shredded cheese nearby.

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I love crockpot recipes that taste delicious, are easy to make with few ingredients, and feed a crowd. This recipe has all of that and more! There’s something extra delicious about salsa verde enchiladas and when they can be this easy, it’s a win win for me and my family!