Alton Brown Enchilada Lasagna Recipe

This Alton Brown Enchilada Lasagna Recipe is a spicy and cheesy Mexican-inspired casserole, which uses chipotle chiles and corn tortillas. It’s a no-fuss take on the classic, ready in about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Alton Brown Enchilada Lasagna Recipe Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 2 dried chipotle chiles, stems and seeds removed, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted cumin seeds, freshly ground
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Filling:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
• 1 1/2 cups diced onion
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar, not listed but assumed)

How To Make Alton Brown Enchilada Lasagna

1. Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350ºF.
2. Make the enchilada sauce: Combine chipotle chiles, garlic, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes until chiles soften. Set aside.
3. Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sauté for 7–9 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet.
4. Cook the onions: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 4–6 minutes. Stir in garlic and oregano; cook for 2–3 more minutes until onions are tender. Return chicken to the pan and mix well. Remove from heat.
5. Assemble the layers: Cut 3 tortillas in half. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom. Dip 4 tortillas (3 whole and 1 halved) in sauce and place in dish to cover the bottom.
6. Add filling and cheese: Top with half the chicken mixture and 1 cup of cheese. Repeat layering with more tortillas, sauce, chicken, and cheese. Finish with remaining sauce and cheese.
7. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly. Let rest before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
  Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken can save time. Just warm it in the skillet with the onions and seasoning.
• How to keep tortillas from falling apart:
  Lightly dip tortillas in the sauce just before layering to soften them without making them soggy.
• What cheese works best?
  Mexican blend, cheddar, or Monterey Jack all melt well and pair with the sauce.
• Can I make this ahead of time?
  Yes, assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Add 10 extra minutes to the bake time if cold.

What To Serve With Enchilada Lasagna

This dish is hearty and flavorful—perfect with these sides:

• Spanish rice
• Refried beans
• Guacamole and chips
• Mexican street corn (elote)
• Fresh tomato and avocado salad

How To Store Enchilada Lasagna

Refrigerate: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Freeze: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Enchilada Lasagna Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 420
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 32g
• Sodium: 750mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
You can, but corn tortillas provide better structure and authentic flavor.

How spicy is this dish?
The chipotle chiles add medium heat. Reduce or skip the chili powder for a milder version.

Can I use ground beef instead of chicken?
Yes, brown 1 pound of ground beef and use it in place of the chicken for a different take.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, use two baking dishes or a larger roasting pan and increase the sauce and filling accordingly.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Grilled Cheese Recipe
• Alton Brown Dill Pickles Recipe
• Alton Brown Chicken Stock Recip