Meals Under $1.25: Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

If you like Tex-Mex food, then this is the recipe for you!

If you like Tex-Mex food that is easy to fix, then this recipe is really for you!

Often, when I fix a meal, my husband will tell me that he really likes it, and then he asks if I would be able to repeat the recipe and fix it again sometime. Then he looks at me, kind of smiling, because he knows the answer.

"Well", I tell him sighing, "I can probably come close, but it may not be exact." He knew I was going to say that, because sometimes I just go into the kitchen and start putting stuff together, and depending on what is available or how I feel ... well something gets concocted and it generally tastes pretty darn good.

But when I made this casserole today, I was ready for his question; and I had a different answer. I told him that I would be able to repeat it because I wrote it down as I was making it, "because I was saving it for hub-sterity's sake." And so, that is the recipe that you will see in this hub, and it will be one of the few that I can indeed repeat!

Have one 1 portion of chicken prepared in hub, Building Meals Under $1.25: Using 10 Pounds Chicken in 5 Recipes to Make 26 Servings, ready for use to make your meal, or use 2 cups chopped cooked chicken. The recipe that I am sharing with you, will make 6 servings.

Ingredients:

• two cups chopped cooked chicken, or 1 portion of chicken prepared as indicated above (Chef's Note: You can also use 2 cups cups chopped Cloverleaf's Rotisserie Chicken.)
• taco seasoning package
• one 10 count package of tortillas (You can use flour or corn, whichever you prefer. I have used both, depending what I have when I decide to make this)
• 16 oz can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups cooked beans (I used pinto and black bean mixed, but any bean would work. You can also use two cans of beans drained if you do not have any beans made)
• 6 3/8" slices Velveta type cheese product
• can of cream of mushroom soup
• can of enchilada sauce (you will have to decide whether you want mild, medium or hot, and whether you want green or red. I used mild red.)
• 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together chopped chicken and taco seasoing mix. Set aside.

Spray bottom of a 9" x 13" casserole with cooking oil spray. Tear 5 tortillas and scatter on bottom of dish.

Pour can of diced tomatoes over the tortilla pieces.

Pour 4 cups beans over the tomatoes.

Pour chicken on top of beans.

Space 6 slices of cheese over the chicken.

Tear last 5 tortillas and scatter over top of cheese and chicken.

Mix together cream of mushroom soup and can of enchilada sauce. Pour over all and cover well.

Sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes and serve!

Cost Analysis:

This cost analysis is based on the above recipe serving 6 people:

• Chicken = .20 / serving
• taco seasoning = .06 / serving
• tortillas = .18
• 16 oz can diced tomatoes = .09 / serving
• 4 cups cooked beans = .10 / serving
• Velveta type cheese product = .15 / serving
• can of cream of mushroom soup = .15 / serving
• can of enchilada sauce = .18 / serving
• grated cheddar cheese = .05 / serving

Total cost per serving = $1.16

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Copyright © 2011 Cindy Murdoch (homesteadbound

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Comments: "Meals Under $1.25: Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe"

Bonsie007 on February 11, 2013:

Sounds so tasty! I'm known to throw in whatever I have on hand and whip up a dish from time to time also. I can never remember how I came up with the dish. Guess I'd better start writing it down!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on October 27, 2011:

Amanda Storm - you could also increase the chicken and decrease the beans. Also only put in one layer of tortillas. And, I'm not sure, but since corn tortillas are more whole grain, aren't the carbs better.

The enchilada sauce has 4g total carbs w/no fiber.

The cream of mushroom soup has 9g total carbs w/1 fiber.

If that is a problem, you could use to enchilada sauce cans.

Amanda Storm on October 27, 2011:

Yes, but some beans have more carbs versus fiber than others. Fortunately, the fiber is subtracted from the total carbs to yield net carbs, which is where I have been limiting myself for the past couple of years.

I'm at the point in my low carb eating where I can allow myself quite a few net carbs per day, which allows for eating measured quantities of beans. I think maybe it would work if I used a low carb tortilla.

Low carb or not, either way it looks good. I'll have to look into what enchilada sauce has for carbs since I have no idea about that.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on October 27, 2011:

Amanda Storm - It is very tasty. But I'm not sure about the low carb. Aren't beens considered to be carbs?

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on October 27, 2011:

scarytaff - if you get a chance to fix it you will have to let me know how you enjoy it. Thanks for stoppying by!

Amanda Storm on October 27, 2011:

Looks tasty and I know that some of my relatives would love this. Makes me wonder if I could make it somewhat low carb.

Derek James from South Wales on October 27, 2011:

I love the sound of this recipe. Easy and quick. Thank you.

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on October 26, 2011:

Victoria Lynn - yes that is per serving. I suppose it would be clearer if i added that to the titles. Sounds like a good thing to do when I publish the last one. That one is almost finished. Being from Texas, we eat alot of it! Thanks for stopping by!

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on October 26, 2011:

Voted up, useful, interesting, and bookmarked. I love any kind of enchiladas. This one looks great. Yummy. will make sometime. Is the $1.25 per serving, I presume. You have some great recipes. I like to throw stuff together, too, especially tex-mex type foods!

Cindy Murdoch (author) from Texas on October 26, 2011:

gryphin423 - It really was easy and delicious. Thanks for stopping by!

gryphin423 from Florida on October 26, 2011:

This sounds easy and delicious, thanks for sharing!!