Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet Lasagna
Discover the delightful flavors of Mexico with our Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet Lasagna! This one-pan wonder layers delicious enchilada chicken, melty cheeses, and warm tortillas to create a satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. With minimal prep and cooking time, this recipe is designed for busy cooks who still want to enjoy a home-cooked treat. Topped with jalapeños and served with a dollop of sour cream, each bite is an explosion of flavors that you and your family will love. Perfectly portioned for two, it’s a great way to share a comforting dish with someone special.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter or Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon (melted)
Onion
1/3 cup (finely chopped)
Enchilada Sauce
10 ounces (1 can (10 oz))
Cumin
1-3 teaspoons (ground)
Cooked Chicken Breasts
1 1/2 cups (shredded or finely chopped)
Flour Tortillas
4 (for burritos (8 inch))
Monterey Jack Pepper Cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Cheddar Cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Jalapeño Peppers
1/3 cup (sliced, from a jar)
Green Chili Peppers
to taste (chopped, from a jar)
Sour Cream
to taste (optional for serving)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onion is tender and translucent.
2
Set aside 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce, then pour the remaining sauce into the pan with the onions. Stir in the ground cumin and the shredded or chopped chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
3
While the chicken mixture is simmering, lightly grease a 10-inch skillet with butter or cooking spray and heat it on low.
4
Place one tortilla in the skillet, covering it with half of the Monterey Jack pepper cheese. Layer another tortilla on top.
5
Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the second tortilla, then top with a third tortilla. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar cheese, followed by a layer of sliced jalapeños and chopped green chilies.
6
Finally, place the fourth tortilla over the top. Drizzle the reserved 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce over this final layer.
7
Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 18-20 minutes, allowing everything to heat through and the cheese to melt. Remove from heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
8
Slice the lasagna into 4 wedges and serve with a sour cream topping if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet Lasagna?
It is a one-pan Mexican-inspired dish that layers cooked chicken, enchilada sauce, tortillas, and melted cheeses in a skillet.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is portioned for two people and can be sliced into 4 wedges.
What is the total skillet cooking time?
The assembled lasagna should cook on low heat for 18 to 20 minutes.
What type of chicken is required?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of shredded or finely chopped cooked chicken breasts.
What size and type of tortillas should I use?
You should use four 8-inch flour tortillas, typically sold for burritos.
Which cheeses are used in this skillet lasagna?
The recipe uses 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack pepper cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Is this dish spicy?
It has moderate heat due to the inclusion of Monterey Jack pepper cheese, jarred jalapeños, and green chilies.
How should the onion be prepared?
You need 1/3 cup of onion that is finely chopped.
How long do I sauté the onion?
Sauté the onion in butter or oil for 3 to 5 minutes until tender and translucent.
What size skillet is recommended?
A 10-inch skillet is the recommended size for this recipe.
How much enchilada sauce is needed?
The recipe requires one 10-ounce can of enchilada sauce.
How much sauce should be reserved for the top?
You should set aside 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce to drizzle over the final layer.
What seasoning is added to the chicken mixture?
One to three teaspoons of ground cumin are stirred into the sauce and chicken mixture.
Do I need to grease the skillet?
Yes, lightly grease the skillet with butter or cooking spray before assembling the layers.
What is the first layer of the lasagna?
The first layer consists of one tortilla topped with half of the Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
Where does the chicken mixture go in the stack?
The chicken mixture is spread evenly over the second tortilla.
When do I add the cheddar cheese?
The cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the third tortilla layer.
Are the jalapeños fresh or jarred?
The recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of sliced jalapeño peppers from a jar.
How are the green chilies added?
Chopped green chilies from a jar are layered on top of the cheddar cheese.
Should the skillet be covered during cooking?
Yes, cover the skillet while it cooks on low heat to ensure the cheese melts and everything heats through.
How long should the dish rest after cooking?
Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes after removing it from the heat.
What are the suggested toppings for serving?
The recipe suggests serving the lasagna wedges with a dollop of sour cream.
What heat setting should I use for the skillet?
The skillet should be kept on low heat to prevent burning the bottom tortilla.
Can I use oil instead of butter for the onions?
Yes, you can use either 1 tablespoon of butter or vegetable oil.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is designed for busy cooks with minimal prep and a relatively short cooking time.
How many tortillas are used in total?
A total of four tortillas are used to create the layers.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken is a perfect time-saving option for the 1.5 cups of cooked chicken.
What makes this recipe a 'lasagna'?
It is called a lasagna because of the layering technique used with tortillas, meat, and cheese, similar to the Italian pasta dish.
Is the sour cream mixed into the recipe?
No, the sour cream is optional and intended as a topping for the finished dish.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
It features savory Mexican flavors from enchilada sauce, cumin, chilies, and melted cheeses.