Savory Southwest Chicken Lasagna
Indulge in the delightful layers of flavor with this Savory Southwest Chicken Lasagna, a delectable twist on traditional lasagna that is sure to impress! Easy to make and packed with protein, this dish combines tender chicken, creamy sour cream, and a blend of melted cheeses, all nestled between soft tortillas. With the perfect kick from green chilies and spices, it’s a crowd-pleaser that simplifies dinner time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Just pop it in the oven and let the delicious aromas fill your home as it bakes to a golden perfection!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooked chicken
12 ounces (cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups))
sour cream
1 cup (regular or low-fat)
shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
salsa
1/2 cup (mild, medium, or hot)
chopped green chilies
1 (4 ounce) can (drained)
ground chili powder
1 teaspoon (none)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
flour tortillas
8 (cut in half)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Spray a square baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sour cream, 3/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese, salsa, chopped green chilies, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir gently until all ingredients are well mixed.
4
Layer half of the halved tortillas across the bottom of the prepared baking pan, overlapping them slightly to cover the entire surface.
5
Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas.
6
Place the remaining tortilla halves on top of the chicken mixture, slightly overlapping as needed.
7
Top with the rest of the chicken mixture, smoothing it out with a spoon for an even layer.
8
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and 1/4 cup of Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
9
Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
11
Let the lasagna stand for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your hearty Mexican-inspired dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southwest Chicken Lasagna?
It is a flavorful twist on traditional lasagna that uses tender chicken, tortillas, and Mexican-inspired spices instead of pasta and marinara.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 9 ingredients: cooked chicken, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, salsa, green chilies, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and flour tortillas.
What type of chicken should I use?
You should use 12 ounces of cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes, which is approximately 3 cups.
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Yes, the recipe specifically notes that you can use either regular or low-fat sour cream.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many flour tortillas are needed?
The recipe calls for 8 flour tortillas, which should be cut in half before assembly.
What kind of cheese is used in this lasagna?
It uses a blend of shredded Monterey Jack and shredded Cheddar cheese.
How much cheese should be reserved for the topping?
Reserve 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top.
Do I need to drain the green chilies?
Yes, the 4-ounce can of chopped green chilies should be drained before being added to the mixture.
What spices give this dish its Southwest flavor?
The dish uses 1 teaspoon of ground chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
What kind of salsa is best for this recipe?
You can use 1/2 cup of mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on your heat preference.
How do I prepare the baking pan?
Spray a square baking pan with cooking spray to prevent the lasagna from sticking.
How do I layer the tortillas?
Place half of the halved tortillas across the bottom of the pan, overlapping them slightly to cover the surface.
How many layers of chicken mixture are there?
There are two layers of the chicken mixture spread over two layers of tortillas.
How long does the lasagna bake while covered?
The lasagna should be covered with aluminum foil and baked for the first 30 minutes.
How long does the lasagna bake after removing the foil?
After removing the foil, bake for an additional 30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 60 minutes.
Should the lasagna rest after baking?
Yes, let the lasagna stand for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-make dish that simplifies dinner time for busy families.
Is this recipe high in protein?
Yes, it is described as being packed with protein due to the 12 ounces of chicken used.
What is the texture of the tortillas in the final dish?
The tortillas become soft as they are nestled between the creamy chicken mixture and cheeses.
Can I make this for a crowd?
Yes, it is mentioned as a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for family gatherings.
How much sour cream is used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of sour cream.
What size should the baking pan be?
The recipe recommends using a square baking pan.
Does this dish fall under a specific cuisine?
It is categorized as Mexican-inspired or Tex-Mex comfort food.
How much Monterey Jack cheese goes into the initial chicken mixture?
You add 3/4 cup of Monterey Jack cheese to the initial mixing bowl.
How much Cheddar cheese goes into the initial chicken mixture?
You add 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese to the initial mixing bowl.
What is the best way to mix the filling?
Stir the chicken, sour cream, cheeses, salsa, chilies, and spices gently in a large mixing bowl until well mixed.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a 'perfect kick' from green chilies, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, but heat can be adjusted by choosing mild or hot salsa.
How should the top look when finished?
The top should be golden and bubbly after the full hour of baking.