Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole delivers spicy comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Layers of tender chicken, zesty cheese, and crisp tortillas create a mouthwatering meal perfect for family gatherings and casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 15 ounces (425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips or Dorito Nacho Cheese chips (measure after crushing)
Cheese and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded Jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded medium Cheddar cheese
- 21 ounces (595 grams) cream of chicken soup (two 10.5 ounces cans, do not add water or milk)
Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 10 ounces (283 grams) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped
- 1–2 jalapeños, sliced (optional)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) can diced green chiles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and thoroughly coat a 13×9-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy release.
- Create a crunchy foundation by gently crushing tortilla chips and distributing approximately 1 cup evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Construct the protein layer by arranging diced chicken and black beans uniformly over the crushed chip base.
- Craft the flavor foundation by whisking cream of chicken soup with ground cumin in a separate mixing bowl until well combined. Carefully spread this aromatic mixture across the chicken and bean layer.
- Enhance the moisture and zest by pouring undrained Rotel tomatoes over the soup layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Build the cheese crown by generously sprinkling Jack and Cheddar cheeses across the tomato layer, creating a rich and creamy topping.
- Add texture and crunch by scattering the remaining crushed tortilla chips over the cheese layer. For an optional flavor boost, incorporate diced green chiles across the surface.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the dish becomes hot, bubbly, and the cheese melts completely.
- Elevate the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and thinly sliced jalapeño peppers. Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Sprinkle fresh toppings like chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños over the hot casserole for a burst of color and zesty flavor.
- Monitor the baking process carefully around the 25-minute mark to prevent overcooking, ensuring the cheese melts perfectly and the casserole becomes bubbly and golden.
- Combine Jack and Cheddar cheeses for a rich, complex flavor profile, grating them fresh to guarantee smooth, even melting throughout the dish.
- Create layers of deliciousness by first spreading crushed tortilla chips, then adding seasoned chicken and black beans, followed by a creamy soup mixture, and finishing with an additional cheese and chip topping.
- Select rotisserie chicken as your protein base for maximum flavor and convenience, as it’s pre-cooked and brings incredible depth to the entire casserole.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg