This cheesy Mexican Chicken Casserole is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food! Perfect for busy weeknights, this layered casserole recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, making it both convenient and delicious.
Looking for a fun twist on taco night? This Doritos chicken casserole recipe brings together all the best Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting, cheesy bake. Imagine layers of creamy refried beans, crunchy tortilla chips, sweet corn, tender chicken, and melty cheese, all enveloped in a flavorful cream sauce. It’s a truly satisfying and easy meal!
“This was amazing! My husband had seconds and can’t stop praising it. Will make again!” – Kristie
One of the best things about this Mexican chicken casserole is how simple it is to prepare, especially on those hectic weeknights. The hands-on time is minimal – mostly just assembling the layers. While it bakes to golden, bubbly perfection, you get a well-deserved 30 minutes to relax or tackle other tasks.
A slice of cheesy mexican chicken casserole on a plate, showcasing the layered ingredients
Do you have picky eaters in your family? No problem! This recipe is easily adaptable. You can even create a smaller, personalized cheesy Dorito chicken casserole for anyone with specific preferences. Simply leave out any ingredients they might not enjoy in their portion. For example, if someone isn’t a fan of refried beans, it’s quick to assemble a small individual casserole without them while you make the larger family dish.
The beauty of cheesy casseroles like this Mexican chicken bake, and similar dishes like Walking Taco Casserole and King Ranch Casserole, lies in their versatility. They are incredibly easy to customize to suit your family’s tastes, which only adds to their appeal.
A bowl containing condensed cream of chicken soup mixed with taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder, highlighting the simple sauce base
Ingredient Swaps and Variations for Your Chicken Casserole
This recipe is quite flexible, allowing for easy substitutions based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
- Protein: While the recipe calls for cooked, shredded chicken breasts, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor. Cooked ground beef or even shredded pulled pork also work wonderfully as hearty substitutes. For a vegetarian option, consider using cooked lentils or black beans to maintain the protein content.
- Cream Soup: If you don’t have cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup or even cheddar cheese soup can be used as a delicious alternative. For a lighter option, try using a creamy condensed celery soup.
- Chips: Nacho cheese Doritos add a signature flavor, but regular tortilla chips will work just as well. For a different texture, consider using crushed corn chips or even a layer of soft tortillas for a more enchilada-style casserole. Spice lovers can opt for spicy flavored tortilla chips to kick up the heat.
- Cheese: Colby Jack cheese is a great melty choice, but feel free to experiment with a Mexican cheese blend, shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for a spicier casserole.
What to Serve with Mexican Chicken Casserole
To complete your Mexican-inspired meal, consider serving this cheesy casserole with some flavorful side dishes. Cilantro Lime Brown Rice or classic Mexican Restaurant Style Rice are both excellent choices to complement the rich casserole. For a fresh and zesty contrast, try serving it with Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw or Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad).
To truly embrace the Mexican theme, pair your meal with an authentic Mexican drink. This authentic Horchata recipe is a refreshing and traditional choice.
If you’re in the mood for dessert, explore this list of authentic Mexican desserts to add a sweet ending to your meal!
Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftover Casserole
Leftover Doritos casserole is just as delicious the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For reheating, the oven is recommended to maintain the texture. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for convenience.
We hope you love this easy and delicious Mexican casserole recipe! If you try it, please let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
A close-up shot of a single serving of cheesy Mexican Chicken Casserole, highlighting the melted cheese and layers
Easy Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe
Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Author: Michelle Goth
This easy Mexican Chicken Casserole is incredibly creamy and cheesy, making it the perfect weeknight dinner solution for busy families.
Ingredients
For the Creamy Sauce Layer:
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (4.5 ounces) green chiles, undrained
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Casserole Layers:
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
- 1 can (15 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 cups tortilla chips or Doritos, whole or lightly crushed
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Crushed tortilla chips or Doritos
- Green onions, sliced
- Sour cream
- Avocado, diced
- Hot sauce
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, green chiles, taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well combined.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Layer the Casserole: Crumble about 1/2 cup of tortilla chips or Doritos and spread them evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer half of the shredded cooked chicken over the chip layer.
- Spoon half of the creamy soup mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Spread half of the refried beans over the soup mixture, followed by half of the Rotel tomatoes, and half of the corn and black beans.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the vegetable layer.
- Repeat the layers in the same order: chips, chicken, creamy soup mixture, refried beans, Rotel tomatoes, corn and black beans.
- Top the final layer with the remaining Colby Jack cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with your favorite toppings such as fresh cilantro, crushed chips, green onions, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce, or diced tomatoes. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 362kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 856mg, Potassium: 447mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 473IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 3mg
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