Chicken Taco Casserole
This amazing chicken taco casserole brings all the flavors your family craves in one cozy dish! Kids and adults will absolutely love this hearty meal that tastes like their favorite tacos but comes together so much easier. Plus, it’s packed with protein and veggies to keep everyone happy and satisfied.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 30 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Serves: 8 people
Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 406 Calories, 17g Fat, 26g Carbs, 36g Protein
Ingredients You’ll Need
Shredded cooked chicken breast: You’ll need 4 cups, which is perfect if you have leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken from the store. This gives you all that amazing protein your family needs!
Green bell peppers: 2 cups chopped up will add the perfect crunch and fresh flavor. You can use any color bell peppers you like – they’re all delicious!
Mexican-style cheese blend: 2 cups total, but we’ll divide it up during cooking. This melty cheese makes everything taste like your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Black beans: One 15-ounce can of no-salt-added beans, rinsed and drained. These add fiber and make the dish extra filling.
Corn kernels: 1½ cups of fresh or frozen corn – both work great! Corn adds sweetness and that perfect pop of color.
Red onion: ¾ cup finely chopped, and we’ll divide this too. Red onion gives a nice mild flavor that’s not too strong.
Reduced-fat cream cheese: 4 ounces softened – just leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start cooking.
Greek yogurt: ½ cup of reduced-fat plain strained yogurt adds creaminess and extra protein.
Medium salsa: ½ cup of your favorite brand. Use mild if your family prefers less heat!
Fresh lime juice: 3 tablespoons from about 2 limes. This brightens up all the flavors perfectly.
Taco seasoning: 1½ tablespoons of reduced-sodium mix, or make your own with spices you already have.
Salt: 1 teaspoon to bring out all those amazing flavors.
Tortilla chips: 1½ cups crushed unsalted chips – these give the best crunchy topping!
Jalapeño pepper: 2 tablespoons thinly sliced. Remove the seeds if you want it milder.
Fresh toppings: 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, ⅔ cup chopped avocado, ½ cup chopped plum tomato, and 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro.
How to Make Chicken Taco Casserole
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This keeps everything from sticking!
Step 2: Add the chicken, bell peppers, ½ cup of the cheese, black beans, corn, and ½ cup of the red onion to your prepared baking dish. Then add the softened cream cheese, yogurt, salsa, lime juice, taco seasoning, and salt.
Step 3: Fold and stir everything together until it’s all well combined. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy – that’s totally normal!
Step 4: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until you can see it bubbling around the edges. Your kitchen will smell incredible!
Step 5: Remove the foil carefully (watch out for steam!). Sprinkle 1 cup each of the remaining cheese and 1 cup of the crushed tortilla chips over the top.
Step 6: Add the remaining ½ cup of cheese and the sliced jalapeños on top. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Step 7: Top with the fresh lettuce, remaining ½ cup tortilla chips, remaining ¼ cup red onion, avocado, tomato, and cilantro. Serve right away while it’s hot and bubbly!
Easy and Quick Chicken Taco Casserole Version
Want to make this even faster? You can definitely skip the first baking step! Just mix everything together, add all the cheese and chips at once, and bake for about 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly. It won’t have quite the same layered texture, but it’ll still taste amazing and save you time on busy weeknights.
Serving Ideas
This hearty casserole is pretty much a complete meal all by itself! If you want to add a side, try some fluffy cilantro-lime rice or simple Mexican red rice. A fresh green salad with lime dressing would be perfect too, or just serve with extra tortilla chips for scooping.
Storage
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Keep the fresh toppings separate so they stay crisp! To reheat, just pop it in the microwave until warmed through, or heat it in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. Add the fresh toppings right before serving.
Substitutions
No green bell peppers? Use red, yellow, or orange ones instead – they’re all delicious! You can swap the black beans for pinto beans if that’s what you have. Don’t have rotisserie chicken? Leftover roast chicken or even cooked ground turkey works great too. For a spicier kick, try pepper jack cheese instead of the Mexican blend.
Pro Tips
• Make your own taco seasoning: Mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. It tastes so much better!
• Don’t skip the lime juice: It really brightens up all the flavors and makes everything taste fresh.
• Crush your own chips: Put them in a sealed bag and gently roll with a rolling pin. You’ll get the perfect size pieces!
• Let it rest: Give the casserole about 5 minutes to cool before adding the fresh toppings. This helps everything stay put.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
You bet! Store-bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves you so much time. Just remove the skin, shred the meat, and you’re good to go. Keep in mind that rotisserie chicken can be higher in sodium than plain cooked chicken breast.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Sure! You can assemble the whole casserole (without the fresh toppings) and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it’ll be cold from the fridge.
What if I don’t have taco seasoning?
No worries! You can make your own with spices you probably already have. Mix together chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Store any extra in a jar for next time!
Can I use different peppers?
Absolutely! Any color bell peppers work great, or you can try poblano peppers for a little heat. Even frozen bell pepper strips work if that’s what you have on hand.
Is this really gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free tortilla chips and check that your taco seasoning is gluten-free too. Most are, but it’s always good to double-check the labels.
I hope your family loves this cozy casserole as much as mine does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friend!
