Description
Mexican chicken casserole combines hearty ingredients with bold Southwestern flavors. Home cooks appreciate this comforting dish that delivers robust taste with minimal preparation effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) processed cheese product, American, cubed
- 1½ cups (360 ml) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 16 oz (454 g) chicken breast, cooked, shredded
- 30 oz (850 g) black beans, canned, drained, rinsed
- 15 oz (425 g) tomatoes, diced, canned
- 10 oz (283 g) tomatoes with green chilies, diced, canned
- 8 Mission® Super Size Yellow Corn Tortillas
- 4 oz (113 g) Mission® Brown Bag White Tortilla Strips, crushed
- ½ cup (120 ml) onion, yellow, diced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
Instructions
- Thermal Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lavishly coat a 9×13 inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
- Sauce Composition: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce diced tomatoes, green chilies, and American cheese. Reduce heat, stirring until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform sauce.
- Protein Assembly: Blend shredded chicken and black beans. Spread a delicate layer of tomato-cheese sauce across the baking dish’s base, then meticulously arrange tortilla shells to create a complete foundation.
- Layering Strategy: Distribute half the chicken-bean mixture over the tortillas. Cascade cheese sauce across the surface, followed by a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Final Construction: Replicate the previous layer with remaining ingredients. Crown the casserole with crushed tortilla chips, adding a crisp textural dimension.
- Thermal Transformation: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese erupts with bubbling enthusiasm. Allow a brief cooling interlude before serving.
Notes
- Optimize Cheese Melting: Use low, steady heat when creating cheese sauce to prevent separation and achieve silky smoothness.
- Layer Strategically: Ensure even distribution of ingredients in each layer for consistent flavor and texture throughout the casserole.
- Tortilla Placement Matters: Press tortillas firmly against the baking dish bottom to create a stable base that prevents ingredients from sliding.
- Crunch Control: Add tortilla chip topping just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 654
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1080 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg