There’s something so comforting about a layered enchilada casserole that warms you up from the inside out. This Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe combines fresh, wholesome ingredients with cozy flavors, making it a standout dinner you'll want to add to your rotation.

This image shows two white plates, each with two square layers of a cheesy, green sauce dish topped with sliced green jalapeños, fresh cilantro leaves, small diced red onions, black beans, a dollop of white sour cream, and sliced avocado. The cheese has melted and looks creamy with melted spots. Each plate has a gold fork on its right side. Around the plates, there are scattered cilantro leaves, a small white bowl filled with diced red onion, and a small white bowl with sour cream, all placed on a white marbled surface. The colors are fresh, with green, white, and yellow tones and fresh herb garnishes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love making this Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe on busy weeknights because it’s straightforward but still feels special. The fresh spinach and cilantro bring brightness, while the creamy yogurt and melty cheese add just the right richness.

Fresh, vibrant flavors: You get that lovely zing from green enchilada sauce plus the freshness of herbs and spinach every bite.
Protein-packed and healthy: The chicken combined with black beans and yogurt make this a well-rounded, nourishing meal.
Simple to prepare: With just a few steps and easy layering, it’s super approachable, even if you’re new to enchilada casseroles.
Perfect for leftovers: This casserole reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe plays a role—supporting flavor, texture, and nutrition. I’ve found that using fresh herbs and yogurt instead of sour cream keeps it light but satisfying.

Flat lay of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts, small white ceramic bowl of drained black beans, small white ceramic bowl of plain whole milk yogurt, small white ceramic bowl containing ground cumin, small white ceramic bowl containing garlic powder, small white ceramic bowl containing onion powder, fresh roughly chopped baby spinach leaves on a white ceramic plate, fresh bright green cilantro leaves on a white ceramic plate, small white ceramic bowl filled with green enchilada sauce, a neat stack of yellow corn tortillas cut in halves arranged on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Lean protein that shreds beautifully when baked; I prefer light seasoning before baking to keep it juicy.
Black beans: Provides fiber and bulk, plus pairs perfectly with the chicken and spices.
Plain whole milk yogurt: Adds creaminess without extra fat or preservatives, and tang that cuts through the richness.
Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin: These spices build classic enchilada flavor without overwhelming the dish.
Fresh baby spinach: Sneaks in some green goodness and wilts nicely into the warm casserole.
Fresh cilantro: Brings brightness and a pop of herbal freshness.
Green enchilada sauce: The star ingredient that ties everything together with tangy, subtly spicy flavor.
Monterey jack cheese: Melts smoothly for that irresistible cheesy topping and creates gooey layers.
Yellow corn tortillas: Naturally gluten-free and hold up well in the layers for texture contrast.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I often suggest? Tailor this casserole to your own preferences. Whether you want it a little spicier, dairy-free, or packed with extra veggies, there’s room to experiment.

Variation: I sometimes swap the Monterey jack for a sharp cheddar for a bolder cheese flavor, especially when serving to cheese lovers at home.
Spice it up: Adding a bit of diced green chiles or jalapeños kicks the heat if you like it fiery.
Veggie boost: Mix in diced zucchini or bell peppers with the spinach to sneak in more veggies.
Dairy alternatives: You can replace yogurt with a dairy-free sour cream if you need a vegan or lactose-free version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish with one layer of a creamy mixture made of cooked green leafy vegetables and melted white cheese. On top of this mixture, three yellow corn tortillas are placed in a row, slightly overlapping each other, covering part of the layer below. Around the baking dish, there are bowls containing shredded cheese and sauce, and a stack of yellow corn tortillas on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright and clean, focusing on the layered ingredients ready to be baked photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Bake Tender, Juicy Chicken

First things first—set your oven to 375℉ and prepare a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray. I like to lightly season my chicken breasts with salt and pepper right before popping them in the oven. Baking them uncovered for 15-20 minutes ensures they stay juicy and fully cooked, reaching that perfect 165℉ internal temperature. Letting them cool just a bit before shredding helps keep the texture just right.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

While the chicken bakes, I combine the black beans, plain yogurt, garlic and onion powders, cumin, chopped spinach, and fresh cilantro in a medium bowl. Stir it gently but thoroughly to get a creamy, flavorful base that will support the shredded chicken perfectly. When the chicken is ready, I fold it right into this mixture—this step is where the magic starts to come together.

Step 3: Layer with Love

To assemble, spray your baking dish again and pour in some enchilada sauce to coat the bottom. Layer the tortilla halves over the sauce—don’t worry if they don’t cover it completely, that sauce helps keep everything moist. Spread about a third of the chicken filling on top, sprinkle with cheese, then drizzle more sauce over it. Repeat these layers twice more, making sure your final layer has plenty of that sauce. I save a little cheese to sprinkle on top later—that golden finish is irresistible.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly & Melted

Cover the casserole with foil to keep things moist, then bake at 375℉ for 30 minutes until everything is bubbly and warmed through. Take off the foil, sprinkle the reserved cheese on top, and bake for another 5 minutes so it gets that lovely melty crust. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving—the cooling time helps it set and makes slicing so much easier.

Top Tip

From my experience making this casserole several times, a few small tricks really elevate the final dish and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Don’t skip the resting time: Letting the casserole sit for 10 minutes after baking helps it thicken and makes serving effortless.
Use ripe, fresh cilantro: It adds a fresh, citrusy note that brightens every bite—chop it just before layering for maximum flavor.
Check chicken doneness early: Oven temps vary, so start checking your chicken around 15 minutes to prevent overcooking and drying out.
Layer evenly: Spread the chicken mixture and sauce evenly across tortillas to ensure every slice is full of flavor and moist throughout.

How to Serve Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

green chicken enchilada - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this casserole with extra chopped fresh cilantro—it adds that wonderful herbal punch. Finely diced red onion adds crunch and a little bite, while creamy diced avocado brings smooth richness. A squeeze of lime over the top right before eating really wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

Pairing this casserole with a bright, simple side like a crisp green salad or Mexican-style street corn (elote) really rounds out the meal. Rice and beans work too if you want something heartier.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this in individual ramekins for a single-serving presentation that looks elegant and keeps portions neat. Another fun idea is layering it in a trifle dish for a casual party—guests love scooping into the colorful layers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually last well for up to 4 days. Reheating portions in the microwave is quick and keeps the casserole deliciously creamy.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully, too. After baking and cooling, I portion it into freezer-safe containers and reheat straight from frozen in the oven at 350℉, adding extra time until heated through and bubbly.

Reheating

When reheating, cover the casserole loosely with foil to prevent the top from browning too much, and warm it in a 350℉ oven until heated through. This keeps the texture moist without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of baking breasts?

Absolutely! Using about 1 to 1 ¼ cups of shredded rotisserie chicken speeds up the process without losing flavor. Just fold it in with the yogurt mixture like usual.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe uses corn tortillas, which are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your enchilada sauce ingredients to be certain.

Can I make this casserole dairy-free?

Definitely. Substitute the yogurt with a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream or cashew-based cream, and swap Monterey jack cheese for a plant-based shredded cheese. The texture may vary slightly but it’s still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for its blend of freshness, comfort, and ease. It’s a winner every time I serve it to friends or family, and I hope it inspires you to try something wholesome and satisfying tonight. You’ll appreciate how the layers come together in such a tasty, nourishing dish—you really can’t go wrong!