Description
Hearty Mexican chicken casserole delights diners with layers of savory flavors and comforting textures. Cheesy, spicy goodness awaits home cooks eager to explore southwestern cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
Dairy Components:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Vegetable and Seasoning Base:
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 4 corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
Instructions
- Prepare oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend shredded chicken with robust taco seasoning, creating a flavorful base.
- Add black beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, sweet corn, and zesty salsa to the chicken mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Create a foundational layer of corn tortillas across the bottom of the greased baking dish, covering the entire surface.
- Generously spread the seasoned chicken mixture over the tortilla layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Liberally sprinkle shredded cheese to create a rich, melty topping.
- Repeat the layering process – tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese – until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Ensure the final layer is topped with an abundant amount of cheese for maximum flavor and visual appeal.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbling.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven to set and cool slightly.
- Serve hot, accompanied by a dollop of cool sour cream or additional salsa for extra zest.
Notes
- Swap corn tortillas with cauliflower or zucchini slices for a low-carb alternative that keeps the dish’s vibrant Mexican flavors.
- Opt for Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to boost protein content and reduce overall fat while maintaining a creamy topping.
- Experiment with different protein options like shredded turkey, black beans, or tofu to accommodate various dietary preferences and create exciting variations.
- Add fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to elevate the dish’s brightness and complexity without extra calories.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg