Zesty Fiesta Chicken and Tortilla Casserole Recipe

Weeknight dinners call for something hearty and delicious, and this mouthwatering chicken and tortilla casserole brings comfort right to your table.

Layers of tender chicken meld perfectly with crispy tortillas and melted cheese.

Packed with bold southwestern flavors, this casserole delivers a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Spices dance through each bite, creating a symphony of taste that warms the soul.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making this dish a weeknight champion.

Every forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and rich, savory notes.

Let’s find out this irresistible casserole and watch it become an instant family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken Casserole: What Goes In the Pan

• Corn Tortillas: Provides sturdy, authentic Mexican-style foundation with soft texture that absorbs flavors beautifully.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates golden crispy edges and prevents sticking during casserole preparation.

• Cooked Chicken: Lean protein that adds substantial, hearty element to the dish.
• Green Bell Pepper: Brings fresh crunch and mild vegetal sweetness.
• Yellow Onion: Delivers deep, aromatic base flavor with subtle sharpness.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds rich, velvety consistency and earthy undertones.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Boosts savory depth and provides smooth binding texture.
• Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Introduces bright, tangy kick with subtle heat.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into luxurious, sharp and creamy layer.
• Chili Powder: Contributes warm, smoky southwestern essence.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and intensifies overall dish flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Offers subtle, concentrated aromatic punch.
• Ground Black Pepper: Provides gentle, earthy spiciness with subtle heat.

Go-To Tools That Make This One-Pan Dish Shine

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and chicken with even heat distribution.
• 13×9-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and baking the casserole to golden perfection.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing in the skillet.
• Chef's knife: Helps chop bell peppers and onions with precision.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

How to Assemble a Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Bake

• Veggie Sizzle

Grab a skillet and dance some chopped bell peppers and onions around until they’re soft and fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma. Toss in tender chicken pieces that will mingle beautifully with the vegetables.

• Layered Foundation

Create a cozy bed of torn tortilla pieces across the bottom of a baking dish, making sure they cuddle up close to each other. This will form the delicious base of your casserole.

• Oven Magic

Slide the casserole into a warm oven and let the magic happen. After about 30 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling, golden dish that promises comfort and flavor in every single bite. The tortillas will crisp slightly, the chicken will become tender, and the whole kitchen will smell incredible.

Tips That Keep the Chicken Juicy and Flavorful

• Add diced jalapeños or green chiles for a spicy kick that elevates the entire casserole's taste profile.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, sharp cheddar, or a Mexican cheese mix to create unique flavor combinations.
• Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for a convenient meal option.
• Easily substitute chicken with ground turkey, shredded beef, or black beans for a versatile dish that adapts to your dietary preferences or pantry ingredients.

Presenting a Simple Dish with Flair

• Fiesta Night Feast: Serve this chicken casserole as the star of a vibrant Mexican-inspired dinner with friends and family gathered around the table.
• Fresh and Zesty Sides: Pair the casserole with a crisp green salad topped with cilantro and a tangy lime vinaigrette to balance the rich, warm flavors.
• Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Garnish with fresh chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and some sliced avocado to add color and extra texture to the dish.
• Meal Prep Magic: This casserole reheats beautifully, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches or quick weeknight dinners that taste like they took hours to prepare.

Making the Most of Your Chicken Casserole Later

• Refrigerator Rest: Tightly wrap the casserole in aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavors and textures.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Prepare the entire dish, cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and a layer of foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even warming.
• Portion Control Tip: Divide leftovers into individual serving containers for quick grab-and-go meals. Perfect for busy weekday lunches or quick dinner solutions when time is tight.

Creamy Chicken and Tortilla Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican comfort dish Chicken and Tortilla Casserole combines layers of spicy flavors with hearty ingredients. Cheesy, creamy layers promise a satisfying meal that welcomes diners to savor each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• 12 corn tortillas (torn into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 medium green bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
• 1 (10 oz / 280 g) can diced tomato and green chiles (such as Rotel)
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can cream of chicken soup
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 2 pinches garlic powder
• 2 pinches ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Sauté Preparation: Caramelize bell peppers and onions in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring intermittently until vegetables become translucent and develop a soft, golden essence, roughly 4-5 minutes.
2. Protein Integration: Fold shredded or cubed cooked chicken into the vegetable medley, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution and harmonious blending.
3. Dish Preparation: Grease a 13 x 9 inches baking vessel with cooking spray or butter to prevent potential adherence and facilitate seamless serving.
4. Foundation Layering: Strategically arrange torn tortilla fragments across the baking dish’s base, creating a sturdy foundation that covers approximately one-third of the surface.
5. Protein Distribution: Meticulously spread the chicken-vegetable fusion over the tortilla foundation, guaranteeing uniform coverage and balanced ingredient integration.
6. Secondary Layering: Complete the casserole construction by adding remaining tortilla pieces and complementary ingredients, generating a compact and structured culinary composition.
7. Thermal Transformation: Position the assembled casserole in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, allowing 30-35 minutes of controlled heating until edges transform into a rich golden hue and the center radiates with bubbling intensity.
8. Resting Phase: Extract from oven and permit 5-7 minutes of passive cooling, enabling layer stabilization and flavor harmonization before presenting the final gastronomic creation.

Notes

• Prevent Tortilla Sogginess: Layer tortillas strategically, ensuring they’re not too densely packed to maintain a crisp texture throughout baking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Use rotisserie chicken or season homemade chicken with complementary spices like cumin or chili powder for richer taste profiles.
• Customize Cheese Options: Select melting cheeses such as monterey jack or cheddar that provide creamy consistency and golden browning on top.
• Rest and Settle: Allow casserole to sit 5-7 minutes after baking to let ingredients bind together and stabilize layered structure, improving overall serving quality.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg