Easy chicken taco casserole is a tasty and straightforward meal that brings a touch of Mexican cuisine to your table. This casserole is packed with succulent rotisserie chicken, seasoned with taco spices, and accompanied by colorful tomatoes and cream of chicken soup for added flavor. The dish is then crowned with a layer of melted cheese and baked until perfectly golden and bubbly.
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If you're looking for an easy, delicious, and comforting meal that brings together the zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine, chicken taco casserole is an excellent choice.
This hearty dish combines tender chicken, savory taco seasoning, juicy tomatoes, and protein-packed black beans, all layered with melted cheese and crushed tortilla chips and baked to perfection.
With its simple preparation and versatile ingredients, chicken taco casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you're a fan of Mexican-inspired dishes and want to enjoy a quick and easy meal with bold flavors, chicken taco casserole is a must-try recipe. This hearty casserole is filled with juicy chicken, taco seasoning, and the tasty addition of tomatoes and black beans, topped with melted cheese, and baked until bubbly.
I think you’ll love this recipe, and here are a few reasons why:
- It's effortless to make and requires minimal prep time.
- It's a great way to use up leftover chicken or other pantry staples.
- It's customizable, allowing you to add your favorite ingredients or adjust the spice level.
- It's a one-pan meal, making cleanup a breeze.
What You’ll Need To Make Chicken Taco Casserole
Cream of chicken soup: This ingredient adds a creamy and savory base to the casserole. You can substitute it with condensed cream of mushroom soup or chicken broth for a lighter version.
Rotisserie chicken: Leftover rotisserie chicken adds protein and flavor to the casserole. You can substitute it with cooked and shredded chicken breast or thighs.
Black beans, drained and rinsed: This ingredient adds texture, protein, and fiber to the casserole. You can substitute it with pinto beans or kidney beans.
Sour cream: Adds tanginess and creaminess to the casserole. You can substitute it with Greek yogurt or mayonnaise.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: This tasty blend adds a zesty and spicy flavor to the casserole. You can substitute it with diced tomatoes and jalapenos or a can of salsa.
Chicken taco seasoning: This ingredient adds a bold and savory flavor to the casserole. You can substitute it with a homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Crushed tortilla chips: Adds a bit of crunch and texture to the casserole.
Colby Jack cheese: This ingredient adds gooey and melty goodness to the casserole. You can substitute it with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend cheese.
Fresh cilantro: This ingredient adds freshness and aroma to the casserole. You can substitute it with scallions if you don’t like cilantro.
Step-By-Step Instructions
If you're looking for a comforting and flavorful Mexican-inspired meal that's easy to make, chicken taco casserole is an excellent choice. This hearty casserole combines tender chicken, black beans, tomatoes, and a zesty blend of seasonings, all topped with melted cheese and crispy tortilla chips.
Simply follow these step-by-step instructions to make chicken taco casserole that's sure to impress your family and friends:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a 8x10 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, shredded chicken, black beans, sour cream, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, and chicken taco seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Step 3: Pour half of the chicken and bean mixture into the baking dish and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips over the chicken mixture.
Step 5: Sprinkle half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the crushed tortillas.
Step 6: Pour the remaining chicken mixture into the baking dish and then top with the remaining crushed tortilla chips.
Step 7: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
Step 8: Remove the casserole from the oven and uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese then return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 10: Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and any other toppings that you prefer over the top of the casserole before serving.
Tips & Tricks For Making The Best Chicken Taco Casserole
Chicken taco casserole is a classic and crowd-pleasing dish that's easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck party. While the recipe is simple, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you make the best chicken taco casserole. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use high-quality ingredients. This will ensure that your casserole tastes delicious and flavorful.
Adjust the spice level to your liking. If you prefer a spicier casserole, you can add a dash of chili powder or use hot Rotel diced tomatoes instead of the mild version.
Don't over bake the casserole. It's best to bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly, but not browned.
Take it to the next level with your favorite toppings. Serve the casserole with toppings such as avocado, salsa, sour cream, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to make a delicious and crowd-pleasing chicken taco casserole that everyone will love.
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
Chicken taco casserole can be served as a main dish, accompanied by a side salad or some steamed vegetables. Here are some serving suggestions to try:
- Top the casserole with avocado, salsa, sour cream, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve the casserole with a side of rice or beans.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced jalapenos.
If you don't have all the ingredients needed for chicken taco casserole, here are some possible substitutions:
Cream of chicken soup: You can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead.
Rotisserie chicken: Cooked and shredded chicken breast or thigh meat can be used instead of rotisserie chicken.
Black beans: You can use kidney beans or pinto beans instead of black beans.
Sour cream: Greek yogurt or plain yogurt can be used instead of sour cream.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: You can use a can of regular diced tomatoes or salsa instead.
Chicken taco seasoning: You can make your own seasoning by combining chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Tortilla chips: You can use toasted and crushed corn tortillas or tortilla strips instead.
Colby Jack cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese can be used instead of Colby Jack cheese.
Cilantro: Fresh parsley or scallions can be used instead of cilantro.
Keep in mind that substitutions may alter the taste and texture of the dish, so choose substitutions that will complement the other flavors in the casserole.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have leftover chicken taco casserole, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Here's how to do it:
- Let the casserole cool down to room temperature before storing.
- Place the casserole in an airtight container.
- Label the container with the date and contents.
- Store the container in the refrigerator.
When you're ready to reheat the leftover casserole, you can do so in the microwave or the oven.
To reheat in the microwave, spoon the desired portion onto a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), place the desired portion in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make chicken taco casserole ahead of time. You can assemble the casserole in advance, cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it. This is a great option if you're planning to serve the casserole for a busy weeknight dinner or a party.
Yes, you can use a different type of cheese in chicken taco casserole. Colby Jack cheese is the recommended cheese in this recipe, but you can also use cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
Yes, you can use ground chicken instead of shredded rotisserie chicken in this recipe. Simply cook the ground chicken in a skillet until it is no longer pink, then add the taco seasoning and continue with the recipe as directed.
Yes, you can make chicken taco casserole without cream of chicken soup. Instead, you can use a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, condensed cream of celery soup, or an extra can of diced tomatoes if you don’t mind your casserole less creamy.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
Staub Ceramic Baking Dish: This is my favorite baking dish. It’s the perfect size for making this casserole (although you could use a bigger dish if you prefer) and it looks beautiful as a serving dish too.
Glass Mixing Bowls: These glass mixing bowls are super versatile. You can use them for mixing, storing, and serving. In this recipe, they can be used for mixing the ingredients together to make the filling.
Silicone Spatula: These colorful silicone spatulas are great for mixing the filling ingredients together for chicken taco casserole.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 21 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sour cream
- 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies with liquid
- 1 ounce chicken taco seasoning
- 12 ounces tortilla chips crushed
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- ¼ cup cilantro roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a 8x10 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, shredded chicken, black beans, sour cream, Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, and chicken taco seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Pour half of the chicken and bean mixture into the baking dish and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon.
- Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips over the chicken mixture.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese over the crushed tortillas.
- Pour the remaining chicken mixture into the baking dish and then top with the remaining crushed tortilla chips.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and uncover the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese then return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and any other toppings that you prefer over the top of the casserole before serving.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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