Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, protein-rich black beans, and layers of gooey cheese with a zesty enchilada sauce.
This easy-to-make casserole is prepared in a slow cooker, allowing the ingredients to meld together over time, resulting in a rich and savory meal. The chicken is cooked until it is perfectly tender and juicy, absorbing the bold flavors of the enchilada sauce, while the black beans add a satisfying texture and extra nutrition.
With layers of tortillas and a generous topping of melted cheese, this casserole is a comforting and delicious option for a family dinner or a potluck gathering. The slow cooker method ensures a hands-off cooking experience, making it a convenient and stress-free meal that will leave everyone craving more.


A High Protein and High Fiber Recipe
This casserole is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-protein, high-fiber meal. The dish features tender chicken, a lean protein source that helps build and repair tissues, and black beans, which are not only rich in protein but also packed with dietary fiber. This combination ensures a balanced meal that supports muscle health and promotes digestive well-being.
The black beans provide soluble fiber, aiding in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and promoting satiety, while the chicken supplies essential amino acids needed for various bodily functions. Together, these ingredients create a casserole that is both nutritious and satisfying, making it an ideal option for a wholesome family dinner that supports a healthy lifestyle.


Modifying to Your Preferred Spice Levels
This is a versatile dish that can be easily modified to suit your preferred spice levels, ensuring it caters to your taste buds. By adjusting the type and amount of spices and seasonings used, you can create a milder or spicier version of this casserole. For a milder flavor, opt for a mild enchilada sauce and reduce or omit ingredients like chili powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can use a hot enchilada sauce, add extra chili powder, or include diced jalapeños and a splash of hot sauce.



Toppings to Finish and Garnish Your Meal
Enhance the flavors and presentation of your Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole with a variety of delicious toppings that add both texture and taste. Freshly chopped cilantro provides a burst of freshness, while a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the rich, savory casserole.
Sliced avocado or guacamole offers a buttery, smooth complement, balancing the dish with its cool, mild flavor. For a bit of crunch and color, sprinkle on diced red onions, chopped green onions, or crisp shredded lettuce. A squeeze of fresh lime juice can brighten the overall taste, and a handful of shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, melted on top adds a satisfying, gooey finish.
Additionally, you can include pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick or some diced tomatoes for a juicy, fresh element. These toppings not only elevate the visual appeal but also create a symphony of flavors and textures, making each bite of the casserole even more delightful.




This Recipe is an Easy One Pot Dinner
Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole is the perfect solution for an easy, one-pot dinner that can effortlessly feed the entire family. By utilizing a slow cooker, this recipe minimizes prep work and cleanup.
The combination of tender chicken, black beans, tortillas, and enchilada sauce melds together beautifully over hours of slow cooking, resulting in a rich and flavorful casserole that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
With its generous portions and wholesome ingredients, this dish not only simplifies mealtime but also ensures everyone gets a hearty and nutritious meal. The convenience of a one-pot dinner means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delicious, home-cooked meal with loved ones.



Meal Planning is Easier with Slow Cookers
Meal planning becomes significantly easier with the help of slow cookers, transforming the way you prepare and enjoy meals. Slow cookers allow for a hands-off approach to cooking, enabling you to combine ingredients in the afternoon and return to a fully cooked, flavorful dish by dinnertime. This convenience simplifies the meal prep process, making it easier to incorporate wholesome, home-cooked meals into a busy schedule.



Easily Reheated Leftovers for Dinners and Lunch for Work
Slow cookers are perfect for creating large batches of food, which can be portioned out for multiple meals throughout the week, reducing the need for daily cooking and helping to maintain a consistent meal plan. This recipe is very easy to pack-up in a lunch container and take to work for a microwave reheated meal. You can also count on at least two (or three) dinners of leftovers when you make a full-sized crock pot meal.



Budget-Friendly Meal with Inexpensive Ingredients
This Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget-friendly meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition. The ingredients required for this dish, such as chicken, black beans, tortillas, cheese and enchilada sauce, are all affordable and easily accessible.
Additionally, this dish can be made in large batches, providing multiple meals from a single cooking session, which is cost-effective and reduces food waste. With its minimal ingredient list and the ability to serve a crowd, Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole is a perfect solution for budget-conscious families seeking delicious, hearty meals.



Easy to Find Ingredients at Your Local Grocery Store
This Mexican-inspired casserole is made with easy-to-find ingredients, ensuring a hassle-free shopping experience at your local grocery store. Staples like chicken, black beans, tortillas, and enchilada sauce are readily available in most supermarkets, making this recipe convenient to prepare. You won’t need to plan a separate trip to a specialty store, which saves you time and money.


What to Serve Alongside the Casserole – Complimentary Side Dishes
While this makes for the perfect one-pot dish, you can also opt to serve some complimentary side dishes to build out a fuller meal.
Consider the following lighter side dishes:
- Mexican Ceasar Salad
- Corn Bread
- Chips and Salsa
- Chips and Guacamole
- Spicy Tortilla Soup
- Refried Beans
- Red Spanish Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice


Ingredients List:
- 1 Pound of Raw Chicken Breast
- One 15 oz Can Cooked Black Beans
- One 28 oz Can of Enchilada Sauce (your choice of spice level and color – red or green)
- Half a Red, Yellow or White onion – chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- Black Pepper to taste
- 5 Small Corn Tortillas Sliced Into Strips
- 1 Cup Mexican Blend of Shredded Cheese
- Fresh Slices of Jalapeño
Optional Serving Toppings:
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Sour Cream
- Chopped Onion
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
- Grilled Corn


Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole Cooking Instructions
Cooking Time: 7 Hours (Mostly Slow Cooker Time)
Serves 10


Step 1 – Prep and Season Onion and Garlic
As a general rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to sauté onions and garlic with oil and spices before adding them to the crock pot. That being said, the beauty of the crock pot is that you can get away with just throwing everything in the pot in a pinch.
To sauté, pour oil into the frying pan and add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Add the cumin, salt and black pepper and stir until even distributed. Keep stirring until evenly browned and remove from heat.


Step 2 – Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot
Pour your enchilada sauce into the crock pot. Add the raw chicken breasts and make sure they are fully covered with sauce. Add your sautéd garlic and onions, and black beans (drained and rinsed from the can).
Set the crock pot on high, and leave until chicken is throughly cooked and soft enough to easily shred with a fork. Plan on having the crock pot cooking for 4 – 6 hours. Once the chicken is fully cooked, shred all the large chunks and mix into the enchilada sauce.



Step 3 – Add Tortillas and Cheese to the Crock Pot
I took five corn tortillas and cut them into strips about an inch wide. I layered them on the top of the pot and gently pushed them down into the sauce. And then add a thick layer of cheese and sliced fresh jalapeños. Put the crock pot on low and let cook for another 20 minutes while the cheese melted and the jalapeños cooked.


Step 4 – Serve and Enjoy
This recipe is the perfect meal in one pot, and it can be simply scooped into a bowl and enjoyed as is. You can also add on toppings, or serve over rice. There’s also an option to make a big plate platter with a side of refried beans, rice, guacamole etc.









