Flavorful Pioneer Woman Chicken Tortilla Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s chicken tortilla casserole embodies the vibrant spirit of southwestern comfort food.

Layers of rich, hearty ingredients dance together in a melodious culinary symphony.

Warm spices and tender proteins intertwine to create a deeply satisfying meal.

Crisp tortillas provide a delightful textural contrast against creamy, melted cheese.

Each forkful promises a burst of bold, zesty flavors that transport you to a cozy kitchen.

Families and friends will eagerly gather around this inviting dish, ready to savor every delicious bite: come hungry and leave happy.

Step-by-Step Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe Guide

Step 1: Create Zesty Enchilada Sauce

• Finely chopped red bell peppers
• Finely chopped onions
• Minced garlic

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• 1 bouillon cube
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Chicken stock
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 water

Bring to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Perfect Rice

Cook rice according to package instructions. Set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle Tomato Medley

• Diced tomatoes
• Minced garlic
• Diced onions

• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Cumin

Cook for 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Step 4: Cook Succulent Chicken

In the same skillet, add olive oil. Season chicken with remaining spices. Cook until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 5 minutes). Add water, reduce by half. Stir in beans and remove from heat.

Step 5: Layer and Bake Casserole Magic

In a 9×13-inch baking dish, create delicious layers:

1st layer: salsa verde

2nd layer: Half the tortillas (overlapping)

3rd layer: Cooked rice

4th layer: Tomato mixture

5th layer: Corn

6th layer: Chicken and bean mixture

7th layer: Half the cheese

8th layer: enchilada sauce

Repeat layers. Cover with foil, bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, bake 15-20 minutes until bubbly.

Step 6: Garnish and Enjoy

Garnish with sour cream and cilantro. Serve hot and savor every bite!

Helpful Tips for a Better Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe

• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust the spiciness to match your family's taste buds. Mild lovers can reduce chili powder, while spice fans can add extra jalapeños or hot sauce.
• Grate Cheese Fresh: Skip pre-shredded bags and grate cheese yourself. Freshly grated cheese melts smoother and gives a richer, more authentic flavor to the casserole.
• Layer Tortillas Strategically: Create overlapping tortilla layers to ensure every bite includes crispy, cheesy goodness. Torn or broken tortillas work perfectly for complete coverage.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking. Letting it sit helps ingredients set and makes cutting and serving much easier.
• Boost Veggie Content: Sneak in extra nutrients by adding diced zucchini, bell peppers, or corn to the chicken mixture. Experiment with different vegetable combinations for added texture and flavor.

Keeping Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe Fresh

• Vacuum-Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the casserole's original taste and texture. Works perfectly for long-term storage and preserves flavor integrity.
• Portion-Divide Strategy: Split the casserole into individual serving sizes before storing. Use airtight glass containers or freezer-safe plastic containers. This approach allows quick reheating of exactly what you need without thawing the entire dish.
• Temperature-Control Technique: Cool the casserole completely at room temperature for no more than 2 hours after cooking. Transfer to refrigerator or freezer immediately to prevent bacterial growth. Maintain consistent cold temperatures between 32-40°F for optimal preservation and food safety.

Tasty Twists for Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe Fans

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace chicken with ground beef or turkey, adding extra jalapeños and chipotle peppers for a fiery kick. Swap regular tortillas with corn tortillas for an authentic Mexican texture.
• Vegetarian Mexican Layers: Substitute chicken with roasted black beans, grilled zucchini, and bell peppers. Incorporate quinoa instead of rice for added protein and a nutty flavor profile.
• Seafood Coastal Edition: Use shredded crab or succulent shrimp instead of chicken. Mix in fresh cilantro, lime zest, and swap tomato sauce with a lighter seafood-friendly white sauce for a coastal Mediterranean feel.
• Green Chile Chicken Remix: Increase salsa verde quantity, add green chiles, and incorporate cream cheese into the chicken mixture. Top with extra sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese for a tangy, creamy version of the original casserole.

Final Notes on the Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe

Mexican culinary magic awaits with Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Tortilla Casserole.

Complex layers of flavor dance across your palate, weaving spices, proteins, and textures into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Hearty ingredients create a symphony of southwestern comfort that satisfies deep hunger and cultural cravings.

Homemade enchilada sauce elevates this dish from simple meal to gourmet experience, showcasing intricate cooking techniques.

Balanced spices and carefully constructed layers promise a memorable dining adventure for passionate home chefs.

Readers who crave authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine will savor each delectable bite, so share this recipe, drop a comment below, and spread culinary joy across social media platforms.

Why the Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe Stands Out

• Craft Homemade Enchilada Sauce: Blend fresh bell peppers, onions, and spices to create a robust, zesty sauce that elevates the entire casserole with deep, complex flavors.
• Layer Tex-Mex Comfort: Enjoy a hearty one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, creamy beans, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas in every single bite, delivering maximum satisfaction without complicated preparation.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this delicious casserole in just one hour, making it perfect for busy families seeking a nutritious and exciting dinner that doesn't require hours of kitchen work.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like chicken for beef or add extra vegetables to make this recipe adaptable to personal preferences and dietary needs, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious meal.

What Goes Into the Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easier preparation.
• Black Beans: Adds extra protein and texture, provides hearty and nutritious element to the casserole.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika: Provides warm, deep flavor profile and authentic Mexican-inspired taste.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds subtle heat and spiciness to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall flavor and seasoning.

• Tomato Sauce: Creates rich base for enchilada sauce, provides depth of flavor.
• Chicken Stock: Helps create smooth and flavorful sauce consistency.
• Salsa Verde: Adds tangy and zesty flavor to the casserole layers.
• Water: Helps create sauces and prevent dish from drying out.

• Red Bell Peppers: Adds sweet and mild flavor, provides color and nutrition.
• Onions: Provides aromatic base and depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Adds robust and pungent flavor to multiple recipe components.
• Corn: Offers sweet texture and additional vegetable element.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings fresh and bright flavor to the dish.

• Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth consistency.
• Tortillas: Provides structure and traditional Mexican casserole base.
• Cheese: Adds creamy and melty component to bind layers.

• Sour Cream & Fresh Cilantro: Provides cool and tangy finishing touch.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Tortilla Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Chicken Tortilla Casserole brings Tex-Mex comfort to dinner tables with layers of shredded chicken, zesty sauce, and melted cheese. Hearty and satisfying, this dish delivers classic southwestern flavors that comfort and delight you.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 bouillon cube (beef, chicken, or tomato)

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups rice
• 3 cups diced tomatoes (about 1.5 pounds or 680 grams)
• 1 15-ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 16-ounce jar of salsa verde
• 1 11-ounce can of corn, drained
• 15 flour tortillas (8-inch)
• 1 ½ pounds grated Cheddar jack cheese
• 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 large onion, diced
• ¼ cup finely chopped red bell peppers
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• 4 teaspoons chili powder, divided
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika, divided
• 2 teaspoons cumin, divided
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup chicken stock
• Kosher salt and freshly

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Instructions

1. Create the enchilada sauce by heating 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped red bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic until softened, approximately 2 minutes.
2. Incorporate chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and crumbled bouillon cube into the vegetable mixture. Season with salt and pepper, cooking until spices deepen in color, about 2 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour into the pan, stirring thoroughly to combine. Gradually pour in chicken stock (120 milliliters) and tomato sauce, followed by water (360 milliliters).
4. Bring the sauce to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened and reduced by one-third, approximately 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then puree until smooth using a blender.
5. Simultaneously prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil and sauté diced tomatoes, garlic, and onions for 2 minutes.
7. Add chili powder, paprika, and cumin to the tomato mixture, cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer to a separate bowl.
8. Season chicken with remaining spices, salt, and pepper. In the same skillet, cook chicken until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 5 minutes.
9. Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) water into the skillet, reducing liquid by half. Stir in beans and remove from heat.
10. Assemble the casserole in a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish by layering salsa verde, tortillas, rice, tomato mixture, corn, chicken, beans, and cheese.
11. Pour enchilada sauce between layers, repeating the process. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
12. Remove foil and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until the top becomes bubbly and golden.
13. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream and fresh cilantro.

Notes

• Customize the heat by adjusting spices to suit your taste buds. Less is more if you prefer mild flavors.
• Freshly grated cheese transforms the casserole’s texture and richness. Store-bought pre-shredded cheese can’t compare to the melty goodness of hand-grated cheese.
• Layer tortillas strategically, ensuring each bite includes a perfect tortilla-to-filling ratio. Overlapping creates a delicious, cohesive dish.
• Patience matters after baking. Letting the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes helps ingredients settle and makes cutting precise and clean.
• Experiment with vegetable additions to boost nutrition and flavor. Zucchini, bell peppers, or black beans can elevate the dish’s complexity and make it more colorful.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 75 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg