Dishes for Friends in Need #HelpingHands #SundaySupper...Featuring San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake

This week's #SundaySupper theme is #Helping Hands/Dishes for Friends in Need. We're focusing on those impacted by Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast by sharing comforting dishes and providing links for those who would like to donate to hurricane relief efforts. I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast, so I know first-hand how scary and devastating hurricanes and flooding tropical storms can be. It's such a helpless feeling to watch the water rise and come into your home and not be able to do a thing about it...and pray that some of your most cherished possessions will still be there once the waters recede. In times of sadness and loss, sometimes a hot and comforting meal is just what a person needs. Sustenance that fills your stomach and warms your soul. To me, noting says comfort quite like a casserole. My San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake is comfort in a casserole dish: layers of tortillas, creamy chicken, corn, salsa, and lots of melted cheese. 

Before you click over to the next page for this awesome recipe, please take a few minutes to consider donating to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. Many families along the Atlantic Coast lost everything they own in this hurricane. To me, the loss is just compounded by the fact that this storm happened so close to the holiday season. As we're safe inside our warm homes, some of our fellow Americans aren't that fortunate. To donate to Hopeforce International, please click on the blue logo. To donate to the New Jersey Relief Fund, please click on the green logo. If you've found yourself watching the news and wondering what you can do, this is a great way to help these areas rebuild stronger and better than before! According to New Jersey's First Lady: 

Hurricane Sandy has brought unthinkable devastation to parts of our Garden State, destroying homes, businesses and some of New Jersey’s most identifiable icons. The Governor and I have organized this relief fund to aide, comfort, and rebuild New Jersey. The images and stories of the damage are heartbreaking. In the aftermath, I urge you to support our friends, neighbors and communities impacted by the storm. They need our help and need it quickly. Thank you for your generosity. We are strong and resilient. We are proud New Jerseyans. —First Lady Mary Pat Christie


Thank you for your time and consideration...now, let's make a delicious soul-satisfying casserole! This recipe is easy to make using leftover roasted chicken...or even leftover Thanksgiving turkey. You can adjust the heat level by raising or lowering the spiciness of the salsa layer. It's pretty adaptable...and totally delish!

San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake

adapted from Campbell's Kitchen

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375. Coarsely crumble approximately 2 cups of tortilla chips and place in an even layer in a casserole dish; set aside. Combine the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl: 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey breast, 1/2 can of reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, 1 cup shredded Velveeta, 1/3 cup chopped onion, and 1 tbs. chopped cilantro. Stir well to combine.

Step 2: Carefully spread the chicken mixture in an even layer over the chips in the casserole dish. Combine 1 1/3 cup thawed frozen corn kernels, the other 1/2 can of the soup, and 1 tbs. of your favorite Mexican spice blend -- I used a fajita seasoning blend. Stir well to combine and spread this mixture evenly on top of the chicken in the casserole. Top with 1 cup of salsa (I used Pace medium). 

Step 3: Bake until the mixture begins to bubble, about 25-30 minutes. Take out of oven, top with 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, and cook for another 10-15 minutes...until the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Just before serving, top with chopped Roma tomato and sliced green onion. The pop of color is pretty, but it also adds a nice bit of flavor to the finished product. To serve, spoon the casserole into bowls. I serve chopped avocado and sour cream on the side for those who want to add it on.

That's it! This casserole is the epitome of comfort: cheesy, creamy, and full of flavor. The texture of this reminds me a bit of enchiladas, but much less work to assemble. We like to add a handful of crumbled tortilla chips on the top of each bowl for a nice crunchy contrast...it's totally optional, but that's how I prefer it! If you plan to make this casserole to take to someone in need, you can place it in an aluminum pan, cover with foil, and freeze. Either thaw before baking or adjust the cooking time if cooking from frozen.

Make sure to join the #SundaySupper bloggers for a live Twitter chat this evening at 600 CST. We'll be discussing how foods can comfort us and sharing our favorite comforting dishes. In the meantime, make sure to check out all these fabulous recipes that they are sharing!

Breakfast and Brunch: Orange Rolls from That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!! 12-Grain Buttermilk Pancake Mix from What Smells So Good Cranberry Bread from Home Cooking Memories Comforting Casseroles and Entrées: Pork Chop Casserole from In the Kitchen with Audrey Basic Lasagna from Fast Food 2 Fresh Food Italian Sausage and White Bean Bake from Girlichef Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes from Crispy Bits n Burnt Ends Turkey and vegetable pasta bake from Gotta Get Baked Baked Salmon with Cucumber Salad from The Urban Mrs. Enchilada Pasta Casserole from Dinners Dishes and Desserts King Ranch Chicken Casserole from Daily Dish Recipes Spaghetti Pizza Bake from Small Wallet Big Appetite Gluten Free Spaghetti Squash with Pancetta from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies Cabbage Koftas from Soni’s Food Bowtie Marinara with Goat Cheese from Family Foodie Warming Soups and Sides: New England Clam Chowder from The Meltaways 3-Bean Chili Borracho from La Cocina de Leslie Italian Wedding Soup from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks Soul Warming Butternut Squash Soup from Cupcakes and Kale Chips Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese “Croutons” from Damn Delicious Corn Basil Handpies from Vintage Kitchen Notes Manhattan Clam Chowder from Noshing with the Nolands Comforting Broccoli Cheese Soup from Juanita’s Cocina San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake from  Peruvian Steak and Potato Stir-fry from Hip Foodie Mom  Simple Southern Red Potato Salad from Mama Mommy Mom Homemade Chicken Soup from Daddy Knows Less New Orleans Red Beans and Rice for Those in Need from The Catholic Foodie Bread in a Jar from Pippi’s in the Kitchen Sweet and Sassy Pineapple Stuffing from In the Kitchen with KP Sweet Endings: Pound Cake Loaf from Magnolia Days Fall Apple Pie from Cravings of a Lunatic Dairy-free Marble Cake {Marmorkuchen} from Galactopdx Mini Dark Chocolate Cakes with Mint Chocolate Chip Icing from The Realistic Nutritionist Orange Pound Cake from Basic n Delicious

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