Craving a Brownie: Chiles Rellenos Casserole

Part of my cooking frenzy earlier this week (maybe last?) included this Chiles Rellenos Casserole. It may not look like much, but it is packed with flavor. I personally thought it tasted like an enchilada with green sauce minus the tortilla (see-saving calories already)! I served it with whole grain brown rice that I added corn to before I cooked it and some homemade guacamole . It was a hit with the whole family. I didn't want to make it too spicy for the kids so the husband and I added a touch of Tabasco when we were eating it to kick up the spice. The guacamole helps with that too.

Chiles Rellenos Casserole

1.25 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

1 can old el paso green chile enchilada sauce

1 cup diced red onion

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 can vegetarian refried beans (FYI regular refried beans have LARD)

1 can (4oz) diced green chiles, drained

1 1/2 cups reduced fat Mexican blend shredded cheese

1 cup corn kernels (frozen works great)

1/2-3/4 cup black beans

1/4 cup flour

1/2-3/4 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a casserole dish or 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.

Chop the red onion and put into a saute pan and add the green enchilada sauce and the chicken breasts.

Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork, about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the sauce and set aside until it is easy to handle. Don't throw away the sauce - it's good stuff!

Once you can touch the chicken without burning yourself (I am not patient enough!) shred it and set it aside.

While your chicken is cooling, take the reserved sauce still in the saute pan and bring back to a simmer. Stir in the flour to thicken it up. You are basically making a roux. Stir constantly so it doesn't burn for 2 minutes.

Slowly add the milk to make a creamy sauce. If you need more milk, add a little at a time until you reach a nice pourable yet creamy consistency. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the corn, black beans, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Now comes the fun part - layering! Start with the refried beans. Make a nice even layer in the bottom. Next, place the shredded chicken on top and the diced green chilies on top of the chicken. Put the black bean and corn mixture next and top that with the cheese.