Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mexican Lasagna

This is probably the only recipe that I use corn tortillas in.  They aren't my favorite, but they really work in this dish.  I feel like I'm cheating on my beloved flour tortillas though.  ;)

This is a pretty healthy recipe overall.  It was tough to resist adding a ton more cheese to it...especially when assembling the layers.  I held strong though.....freakin' good eating habits...I curse you!  If you aren't too worried about keeping things light.....add a nice thick layer of shredded cheese on top of each corn tortilla layer.  Mmmm....cheesegasm!

Shortcut note....If you're feeling a time crunch you can use a can of beans or refried beans instead of dried beans.


Mexican Lasagna

2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 sweet onion, diced
2 anaheim peppers, diced
1.5 tbls diced garlic
1 cup dry small red beans
2 cups low fat/salt chicken broth
1 1/2 tbls fajita seasoning
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash Chipotle seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 14oz can no salt added peitite diced tomatoes
12 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded taco cheese

Rinse and soak dry red beans in water overnight.  Drain.  Transfer soaked beans to a saucepan and cover with fresh water.  Bring to a boil and cook for an hour.  Drain and set aside.

Combine the chicken, peppers, onions, garlic, broth, and all the seasoning in a sauce pan.  Simmer for 45 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.  Remove the chicken pieces and shred them with two forks.  Return the chicken to the sauce pan and simmer about 15 minutes longer.  Ladle about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid over the cooked beans and mash them.  Stir the mashed beans into the shredded chicken.  Stir in the petite diced tomatoes.

Spread a small portion of the chicken mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Layer 6 tortillas on top.  Spread half the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas.  Layer another 6 tortillas.  Spread out the remaining chicken mixture.  Top with shredded cheese.

Bake at 375 for 25 to 35 minutes.



A couple more pics....
It just cries out for more cheese.....cries out I tell you!  Such pretty layers though.  I do love a colorful dish.

All uncut and waiting on the nom noms.  You can pretty much use any style dish you like.  A round casserole with the pieces cut pie style would be quite pretty as well.

42 comments:

  1. That looks fantastic! I might have to make this soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your lasagna looks so amazing. It sounds flavourful. I have to make this for dinner soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting recipe, and I can totally see myself eat more than one serving LOL! Looks fabulous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's a delicious lasagna - I can see myself adding more cheese to it! I'll try to find one that's on the healthier side. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. As a general rule, I don't like corn tortillas either, but I can see that they'd be sturdier and tastier in this dish!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love corn tortillas! I will totally make this (sans chicken for me though)!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sign me up!! This looks realllly amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. wow!! I love lasagna, but get tired of the same ole flavor...but not now :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I tend to use flour tortillas, too, but will take your word that the corn are best in this. It really sounds fabulous...perfect comfort food for a winter's dinner!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks great! I've been wanting to try a Mexican lasagna... I think it's about time I do it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Now that is what I'm talking about.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This sounds so yummy! I'm like you, I pick flour tortillas over corn any day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. even if we are so far away, we are big fans of Mexican food. Nice combination!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looking at those layers is seriously giving me a craving for it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mmm, this looks so delicious! I've been sticking with Italian lasagna all my life, but I should try something new with this recipe. Thanks for inspiring me and making my mouth water! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love flour tortillas best, too, but sometimes a corn tortilla just fits. Like here. That sounds really good.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like it without all the cheese. In fact, the one time I tried something similar, it only ended up tasting like cheese. This works so much better... Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love Mexican food, and I love lasagna! Somehow I never thought of combining the two, love the recipe. Looks absolutely delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I could eat Mexican food everyday and never get sick of it! I have never had mexican lasagna, but yours looks amazing! Thanks for sharing...I am definitely giving this a try! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. oohhh...I need to make this ASAP!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think I saw a little tear there too, crying out for more cheese. Love Mexican food, we eat it at least once or twice a week. This is great for a weeknight. Thanks for passing this one along, hope you have a great week.
    -Gina-

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ole! That looks so awesome :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I read this to my boys and we will be making this sometime in the near future!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What an awesome and different dinner idea! Thanks so much for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love this Mexican Italian fusion dish and I like chicken in lasagnas, sounds really great. Cheers to cheesegasms

    ReplyDelete
  26. This sounds awesome! I gotta try it!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Of course I'll add extra cheese, and then add an extra 20 mins of cardio to my daily workouts. This looks so good.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've never made a Mexican lasagna before, but yours looks fantastic! Clearly, you have more self-restraint with the cheese than I would :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love Lasagna and yours look so yummy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. That looks incredible! Like a big giant enchilada with a bunch of different layers ... and fortunately, I rarely focus on keeping things light. Pass the cheese!

    ReplyDelete
  31. So difficult to choose what kind of lasagna to make.. I guess first I should get lasagna sheets :))) nice spicy recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. i love the flavors in this dish... sounds just fabulous:) thanks for sharing this

    ReplyDelete
  33. My kids would just love this! Great recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Looks and sounds amazing! I am a huge fan of Mexican food but I've never had a Mexican version of lasagne before.. I'm drooling!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Fantastic dish, looks so yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have always used beef in this type of lasagna, chicken is an awesome idea...

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm going to try your version of this dish next time; it looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm with you, I don't add a ton of cheese to mexican dishes. I LOVE it but I don't think it's worth the calories. I'd rather go heavy on the spices and flavors. I'm with you, I LOVE flour tortillas, we eat whole wheat tortillas all the time but I should try this with corn tortillas. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just found your blog...and I think I'm in love.

    Just so you know. :)

    -Emily

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow, That look so Delicious Lasagna

    farida
    http://zuperfoody.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am putting this on this month's menu, hope you don't mind I always give credit to the original, but I will have to make a few adjustments ( we have food allergies, and I am lactose intolerant, so even that is a lot of cheese for me!

    ReplyDelete