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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

by Sarah Olson on January 19, 2021 | Updated September 2, 2022 737 Comments

1161864 shares
  • 190075
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close up of enchilada casserole with olives and cheese on top.
Collage of chicken enchilada images with text of what ingredients are.
Collage of photos showing to make chicken enchilada casserole for pinterest

Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole is the easiest one-pot recipe you will find for enchiladas. Made with tender chicken and plenty of cheese.

Forget take out and make enchiladas at home, we love to make a big pot of Slow Cooker Refried Beans too! Want an even easier recipe? Try my lazy enchilada recipe that is made with taquitos or try my vegetarian crockpot enchiladas.

enchilada casserole with olives on top and metal spoon in it.

This recipe for slow cooker chicken enchilada casserole is a one-pot meal (yay!). To make this recipe, I cook the chicken with a big can of red enchilada sauce, all day in my slow cooker.

Then when I get home, I shred the chicken, stir in corn tortillas strips, add some cheese and olives, stir, add a little more cheese and olives on top, cook for one more hour, and wow! Easy enchiladas and I don’t have the huge mess all over my kitchen from frying tortillas and rolling the enchiladas.

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole:

This recipe has become a viral success on the blog and that is for good reason. So many people have tried this recipe and had great results. I don’t think there is an easier meal for the slow cooker.

Ingredients

ingredients for enchilada casserole in front of slow cooker.
  • Enchilada sauce
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Corn tortillas cut into strips
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Black olives
4 photo collage of how to cook chicken in enchilada sauce

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
  2. Pour over a large can of red enchilada sauce. (DO NOT ADD THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS YET. The first step is only the chicken and sauce).
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
  4. Shred the meat with 2 forks.
2 photo collage of corn torillas

What kind of tortillas do I use?

  • Use corn tortillas for this recipe cut into strips (see photo above). These are not chips, these are tortillas that are soft.
  • Flour tortillas will make this dish doughy.
  • Though, if you accidently buy tortilla chips, I’ve had many reviews that they work fine. They soften up in the casserole.
2 photo collage of enchilada casserole being assembled

How to assemble the casserole:

  • Add the corn tortillas (that have been cut into strips), half of the cheese, and half of the olives, stir and flatten out into a casserole.
  • Add more cheese on top and olives. Cook on low for 40-60 minutes or until the center is hot. 
  • Serve and enjoy!

Can I use a different kind of meat?

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs – These work great if you love dark meat.
  • Ground beef – One of the most popular questions I get asked is if ground beef can be used. The time can be cut in half if cooked ground beef is used.
  • Cubed beef stew meat – The is great if you love beef enchiladas and the beef flavors the enchilada sauce very well.
  • Pre-cooked chicken or turkey – If you only have cooked chicken or turkey you still can make this recipe. Cut the initial cooking time in half. Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe.
finished cooking enchilada casserole in slow cooker

Can I use green sauce?

  • Green enchilada sauce can be substituted.
  • Though the consistency of the sauce will be more liquidly and make the enchiladas soggy.

What to serve with Chicken Enchilada Casserole:

  • This meal I OFTEN make with NO SIDES! Yes, it’s that good on it’s own. If you are making this for a party or crowd make a side or two.
  • Spanish Rice – This is my go to recipe from Lil’ Luna.
  • Refried Pinto Beans – You can make these in another slow cooker or in the instant pot.
  • Sour cream – A small dollop on top goes a long way.

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes on the site. Easy to throw in the crockpot and has great results.

bowl of enchilada casserole

More of my favorite slow cooker chicken recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Enhilada Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon Gravy
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
  • Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

close up of enchilada casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

4.86 from 464 votes
A true one pot meal. The chicken and enchilada sauce is cooked all day in the slow cooker then the casserole fixings are stirred in.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 8 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 398kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless raw chicken breasts (don't use any more than 1.5 pounds, the casserole will seem dry if you do).
  • 28 oz. can Red Enchilada Sauce I use El Pato Brand or Los Palmas

Add these items at the end:

  • 10 corn tortillas I use a 10-12 oz. package of soft corn tortillas.
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese divided
  • 3.8 oz. can black olives divided
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Put the chicken breasts and the enchilada sauce in your slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
  • Shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the slow cooker.
  • Cut the tortillas in to strips, add to chicken and sauce. Stir.
  • Add 1/2 cup of cheese and half the olives into the sauce and chicken mixture. Stir again.
  • Flatten the mixture.
  • Add the rest of the cheese and the olives on top.
  • Cook on low for about 40 – 60 minutes longer.
  • Top with sour cream (optional)
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Can I use a different kind of meat?
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs – These work great if you love dark meat.
  • Ground beef – One of the most popular questions I get asked is if ground beef can be used. The time can be cut in half if cooked ground beef is used.
  • Cubed beef stew meat – The is great if you love beef enchiladas and the beef flavors the enchilada sauce very well.
  • Pre-cooked chicken or turkey – If you only have cooked chicken or turkey you still can make this recipe. Cut the initial cooking time in half. Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe.
Can I use green enchilada sauce?
If you choose to use green enchilada sauce note that it is runnier than red and you may need to use more tortillas. 
Can I use flour tortillas?
Flour tortillas can be used but the casserole may turn out soggy. I recommend corn tortillas if you have them.
What should I serve with enchilada casserole?
  • This meal I OFTEN make with NO SIDES! Yes, it’s that good on it’s own. If you are making this for a party or crowd make a side or two.
  • Spanish Rice
  • Refried Pinto Beans   
  • Sour cream – A small dollop on top goes a long way.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1446mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1165IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 343mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

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    1161864 shares
    • 190075

    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Most Popular Recipes

    Comments

    1. Debbie says

      June 1, 2023 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      This was so damn delicious! Easiest thing to make ever! The only thing I changed is I used green sauce instead of red and I would totally add some green chilies next time. Sooo yummy!!

      Reply
    2. Noreesa says

      May 30, 2023 at 3:01 pm

      Can these be done successfully as freezer meals? They look delicious.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 2, 2023 at 10:22 am

        This can be done as a freezer meal, but it would just be the chicken and sauce. Then you would add the other items after the chicken is done cooking.

        Reply
    3. Stef Chandler says

      May 28, 2023 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      Love love love this recipe. Easy tomake and tastes delicious.

      Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      May 23, 2023 at 1:44 pm

      Turkey works well with this recipe, too. Slivered almonds are a nice add-in, put in along with the olives.
      Also, thinly sliced scallions add extra flavor to the sour cream topping.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 23, 2023 at 2:14 pm

        Great ideas, thank you.

        Reply
    5. Anonymous says

      May 13, 2023 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and tasty recipe. I will make again and plan some add ins like jalapeños.

      Reply
    6. Liz says

      May 2, 2023 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    7. Gerri says

      April 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm

      How would you reheat leftovers without making the tortillas tough. V

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 30, 2023 at 10:19 pm

        They reheat fine in the microwave. It would be flour tortillas that would get tough.

        Reply
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