Description
Mexican-inspired chicken taco casserole delivers a hearty meal packed with zesty flavors and comforting textures. Layers of tortillas, seasoned chicken, and melted cheese create a satisfying dinner that families will crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups shredded chicken (about 2 lg chicken breasts)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 1 ½ cups corn kernels, thawed
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz / 283 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- Cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Avocado, diced (optional)
- Green onions, chopped (optional)
- Jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Chicken Mixture Preparation: Blend shredded chicken, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, and salsa in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Casserole Foundation: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and create a base layer of tortilla quarters, ensuring complete bottom coverage.
- First Flavor Layer: Spread half the seasoned chicken mixture over tortillas, then generously cover with shredded cheese for a rich, melted base.
- Secondary Layer Construction: Position another set of tortilla quarters over the cheese, then distribute remaining chicken mixture to create a cohesive texture and flavor profile.
- Cheese Topping: Completely blanket the casserole with a final layer of shredded cheese, ensuring edge-to-edge coverage for maximum golden-brown potential.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and merge.
- Final Browning: Uncover the casserole and return to oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden landscape.
- Garnish and Presentation: Remove from oven and sprinkle fresh cilantro across the top, creating a vibrant visual and aromatic finish.
- Serving Suggestion: Plate immediately and offer optional accompaniments like sour cream, diced avocado, and sliced green onions for personalized enjoyment.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Moisture: Shred chicken while still warm to maintain tenderness and prevent dryness, ensuring each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
- Control Cheese Melting: Use a blend of cheeses like monterey jack and cheddar for optimal meltability and richer flavor profile, avoiding rubbery texture.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by selecting mild, medium, or hot variants to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs.
- Prevent Soggy Base: Layer tortillas slightly overlapping and avoid excess liquid ingredients to maintain crisp, structural integrity of the casserole’s foundation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg