Chicken Chilaquiles

Wow. This is the best main dish that I’ve made in weeks. B and I both LOVED it and devoured it. I’ve wanted to try chilaquiles for a long time, but I really didn’t think that they would be that different from enchiladas, because they’re basically like enchiladas but in lasagna form. A layer of tortilla, a layer of filling, a layer of tortilla, and so on…topped with a sauce and cheese. So I came into this meal thinking that it would be much like an enchilada, but I was definitely wrong. The tortillas end up with a surprising and amazing texture, almost like the texture of dumplings. And since there are several layers of tortillas, you get a lot of that dumpling-like texture in every bite. Amazing. And I want to note that the green sauce in this recipe is the best green sauce that I’ve ever made, and I’ve tried many different recipes for enchiladas verdes. This is going to become my stock green sauce recipe. I really can’t rave enough about this entire recipe…it was so delicious that I think I might even prefer chilaquiles to enchiladas now. We devoured the whole pan in two nights. Oops.

Chicken Chilaquiles
Source: The Crepes of Wrath

2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts, shredded
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
3/4 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1 (11-ounce) can tomatillos, drained
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
12 (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas
Cooking spray

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cook your chicken, if needed, by boiling it in a pot of water for 20-30 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle. Shred the chicken with two forks.

2. Combine the chicken, green onions, 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese, Parmesan, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Put the milk, cilantro, tomatillos, and green chiles in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

3. Pour 1/3 cup of the tomatillo mixture into the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 tortillas in the dish, and top them with half of the chicken mixture. Add another layer of tortillas, followed by the other half of the chicken. Add the final layer of tortillas.

4. Pour the tomatillo mixture over the tortillas, and then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of pepper jack cheese, or more if you like. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.