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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 709 Comments

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  • 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

4.85 from 431 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
Cook Time: 8 hours 40 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 45 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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    1156800 shares
    • 190075

    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Most Popular Recipes

    Comments

    1. Jim says

      January 25, 2023 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent casserole!!! I’ve made it 4 or 5 times in the last couple of years!!!

      Reply
    2. Courtnee says

      January 1, 2023 at 9:08 am

      Can you make this recipe without meat?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 1, 2023 at 9:19 am

        I don’t see why not. Here is a vegetarian version if you want to add vegetables. https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/vegetarian-enchilada-casserole/

        Reply
    3. Suzanne says

      December 22, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      My whole family loved this slow cooker enchilada recipe. It was delicious and easy to make. It’s a keeper for us.

      Reply
    4. Rox says

      December 21, 2022 at 6:47 am

      1 star
      This is one of the top 3 worst things I have ever made. My fiancée has a iron stomach and will generally eat whatever you put in front of him. He took a few bites to make me happy but that was it. Sorry but this is a flop

      Reply
      • Shawn says

        December 24, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        Did you change the recipe at all or follow as is? I’ve made this twice now. The first time was amazing and everyone loved it. It was made again tonight and I couldn’t do it. It was just straight up bad. I don’t know what was done differently this time around though.

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          December 25, 2022 at 6:10 am

          I did not change the recipe. 2 things could have happened. You used a different enchilada sauce or you added too much or too little of tortillas.

    5. Shayla says

      December 13, 2022 at 3:54 pm

      The chicken came out chewy 🙁 I didn’t get alot of flavor but I don’t have a sense of taste or my smell (not covid related) so I trusted my boyfriends senses in that department. He said it tasted good. Hope he’s not lying to me

      Reply
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