When you're craving something hearty yet easy to prepare, a Chicken Tortilla Casserole fits the bill perfectly. This dish layers simple ingredients into a Tex-Mex inspired casserole that's bursting with flavor and sure to please the whole family. It's an ideal recipe for those busy weeknights when you want a delicious dinner without hours of prep time. Here, we'll walk you through how to make this comforting casserole, complete with tips to customize it to your taste.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients to make a Chicken Tortilla Casserole that serves six:
- Chicken: 3 cups cooked and shredded (a great use for leftover rotisserie chicken)
- Corn Tortillas: 8-10 tortillas, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salsa: 2 cups, choose your favorite variety for the right level of spice
- Black Beans: 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed
- Corn: 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- Cheese: 2 cups shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend
- Sour Cream: 1 cup, for creaminess
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Cilantro: A handful, chopped, for garnish
- Spices: 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste
Instructions
Creating this casserole is straightforward and involves a few simple steps:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Ingredients: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- Layer the Casserole: Start by spreading a thin layer of salsa on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the tortilla pieces over the salsa. Top with half of the chicken, black beans, corn, onion, and garlic. Sprinkle with half of the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Dollop half of the sour cream over the layers and spread gently. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortillas, chicken, beans, corn, onion, garlic, spices, sour cream, and cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Conclusion
This Chicken Tortilla Casserole is more than just a meal; it's a comforting experience that brings together the flavors and textures of classic Tex-Mex cuisine in one dish. It's incredibly adaptable—feel free to add jalapeños for a spicy kick, olives for a bit of brine, or a squeeze of lime juice for a bright touch. Whether you're feeding a family or looking for leftovers to last through the week, this casserole promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of this dish any night of the week!
Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chicken Tortilla Casserole combines tender shredded chicken, crispy tortillas, and a creamy, spicy sauce topped with melted cheese. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that's perfect for any family dinner or gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Stir in tomato sauce, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the torn tortillas, followed by half of the shredded chicken, half of the sauce, and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, spread sour cream evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
- For added texture and nutrition, mix in a can of drained black beans or corn with the chicken.
- To make it spicier, add diced jalapeños to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅙ of the dish
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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