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Jul 2011  |  By Liz Logan  |  Comments

Stacked Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde

This is enchiladas prepared casserole-style.

I loved the look of this dish in Bon Appetit so much that I saved it for 4 years before I actually made it! When I finally did, I found out that it's quite easy, especially if you buy a jar of salsa verde from Trader Joe's and a roasted chicken. It's got some spice to it. I'm a huge sour cream fan, so I love that there's a layer of it built-in.

Serves 6

• 2 poblano chiles (8 ounces total)

• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 12 (5- to 6-inch-diameter) corn tortillas

• 4 cups salsa verde, divided (try Trader Joe’s or Frontera’s Tomatillo—both excellent)
• 2 cups shredded roasted chicken, divided
• 3/4 cup sour cream, stirred to loosen, divided
• 6 ounces grated Emmenthal, Muenster, or Mexican Chihuahua cheese (about 1 1/2 cups packed)

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Pickled red onions (optional)

1. Char chiles directly over gas flame or on your grill until blackened all over. Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed, then cut into 2x1/2-inch strips.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tortilla to skillet; cook until slightly softened, about 15 seconds per side, turning with tongs. Transfer tortilla to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining tortillas, adding oil to skillet as needed.

3. Spread 1/2 cup salsa over bottom of 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange 4 tortillas over salsa, covering bottom of dish completely, overlapping slightly, and extending about 1 1/2 inches up sides of dish. Scatter 1 cup chicken over tortillas, then half of poblano strips. Spoon 1 1/2 cups salsa over, spreading evenly. Spoon 1/4 cup sour cream over in small dollops. Cover with 4 tortillas, overlapping slightly. Layer with remaining 1 cup chicken, remaining poblanos, 1 cup salsa, and 1/4 cup sour cream. Cover with remaining 4 tortillas, then 1 cup salsa, and remaining 1/4 cup sour cream. Sprinkle with cheese.

4. Bake casserole until bubbling and cheese is lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces; divide among plates. Sprinkle with cilantro. Spoon pickled red onions alongside; serve.