Description
This Chicken Taco Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Layers of shredded white meat chicken mixed with creamy taco-seasoned sauce, black beans, and crunchy tortilla chips are baked to bubbly perfection under a melty combination of Colby Jack and Monterey Jack cheeses. Garnished with fresh cilantro, this casserole combines Mexican-inspired flavors with a family-friendly, easy-to-make recipe that serves 8.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Filling
- 20.1 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chunky-style salsa (e.g., PACE Mild)
- 4 ounces diced green chilies
- ½ cup sour cream
- 0.85 ounce chicken taco seasoning (e.g., Old El Paso)
- 3 cups shredded white meat chicken
- 15 ounces seasoned black beans, drained (e.g., Bush’s)
Layers and Toppings
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 2 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Sauce and Filling: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, chunky salsa, diced green chilies, sour cream, and chicken taco seasoning until well mixed. Add the shredded white meat chicken and drained black beans, then stir until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Layer Casserole: Spread half of the chicken taco filling evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the first layer.
- Add Tortilla Chips: Sprinkle 2 ½ cups of crushed tortilla chips evenly over the first layer of filling to add a crunchy texture.
- Top with Remaining Filling: Spread the remaining chicken taco mixture evenly over the layer of tortilla chips.
- Add Cheese and Final Chips: Evenly sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack and Monterey Jack cheeses over the casserole. Then, top with the remaining ½ cup of crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the baked casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for shredded chicken to save time.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
- Tortilla chips on top can be swapped for crushed tortilla strips for a different texture.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- This casserole can be assembled the day before and refrigerated; just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from chilled.
