This easy Chicken Taco Casserole was a hit with Manservant and I loved it too! Not only that, it was super easy to make! A win-win for all!
This post may contain affiliate links of which I may or may not be paid a small commission at no cost to you.
This simple chicken taco casserole recipe is sure to please the whole family, even if it’s not taco night.
Savory, a touch spicy, and very filling with lots of Mexican flavors; this is one of my easy recipes for a wholesome meal that’s always a family favorite.
Made with everything that would go in a taco, except made in a baking dish, this easy chicken taco casserole recipe can be made with rotisserie chicken, (like shredded chicken), leftover chicken, or even chicken breasts.
I, however, made it with ground chicken instead of ground beef, and served it with my favorite taco fixings for the best flavors.
Chopped green onions, cilantro, sour cream, tortilla chips, and extra grated cheddar cheese allow everyone to make their own recipe-so to speak!
This easy taco casserole is a great way to feed a crowd if you double the recipe, but it’s also an easy weeknight meal for the dinner table.
I make this healthy chicken taco casserole with my homemade chili seasoning and added in a bit more cumin, but any taco seasoning mix will do.
With just a few convenience products like a jar of your favorite tomato salsa and a can of black beans or pinto beans you are ready to rock.
Table of Contents
Why l Love This Easy Chicken Taco Casserole
I love easy casserole recipes and though I don’t make them often, I always wonder why I don’t.
Perhaps because it is just the two of us now and not everything gets eaten in one sitting.
But in this case, this chicken taco casserole is so versatile, that I love having leftovers in the fridge. They taste just as good the following day.
This recipe is the best way to enjoy Taco Tuesday.
It’s one of the most delicious busy weeknight dinners you’ll make.
This perfect protein-packed dinner is a healthy and hearty dish.
The delicious casserole uses simple ingredients that come together quickly to make a tasty meal that the entire family will love.
Perfect for game day or any day of the week, I guarantee this will quickly become one of your favorite recipes.
Know Your Ingredients: Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe
- Meat: Ground chicken or rotisserie shredded chicken or pour the sauce over browned chicken breasts. Ground beef can be used as a substitute.
- Diced onion: I love onions-can’t live without them
- Red bell pepper: Cored, seeded, and diced; green pepper works too!
- Olive oil: Divided, plus more for the baking dish.
- Chili or taco seasoning: Store-bought or your own taco seasoning
- Garlic cloves:
- Can of pinto or black beans: Drained and rinsed. Please no kidney beans!
- Tomato salsa: Homemade or store-bought
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
- Tomato paste
- Cheese: Shredded mild cheddar, jalapeno Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese
- Favorite Toppings: Sour cream, cilantro, green onions, radishes, more cheese, crunchy tortilla chips.
How To Make this Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe
Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9 x 13 casserole dish or an oval ceramic dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add the ground chicken.
If you are using chicken breasts, brown them and remove.
If using leftover shredded chicken, just skip ahead!
After the ground chicken has been browned remove from the skillet, and add the chopped onions, chopped peppers, and minced garlic to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add back the ground chicken or chicken breasts and stir in a can of drained beans and some green chiles if you want.
Stir in the tomato paste and homemade taco seasoning or chili seasoning into the chicken mixture.
Not much difference between the two!
And if you don’t have any homemade seasoning on hand just add chili powder to taste along with some cumin and a pinch of oregano.
Cook for a few minutes and then stir in a jar of your favorite tomato salsa and half of the cheese.
If you want this creamy, add 4 ounces of cream cheese, but I think this has fantastic flavor without it. Plus no cream cheese saves a few calories!
Spread into oiled baking dish and top with remaining shredded cheese to finish.
Top this chicken taco casserole recipe with broken tortilla chips and the rest of the cheese.
Bake casserole for about 20 minutes and then serve with additional toppings.
Notes
To make this easy taco casserole spicier, use hot taco seasoning and add a can of diced jalapenos. You can also serve with hot sauce on the side.
Recipe FAQ’s
How and What to serve with Chicken Taco Casserole:
Serve this chicken taco casserole recipe as a dip with tortilla chips or stuff inside crisp taco shells.
Wrap in flour or corn tortillas.
Chicken taco casserole recipe becomes a complete meal when served with fresh corn, Pico de Gallo, Salsa Verde, guacamole, or extra fresh salsa on the side.
A side of rice or a salad would be great too.
Other great toppings for this healthy taco casserole include shredded lettuce or avocado.
Garnish with chopped tomatoes, sliced radishes, and some black olives, if you like them.
If you’d like it spicier add pickled jalapeno slices or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Want to make chicken taco bowls?
Spoon this chicken taco bake over Mexican rice and have everyone add their favorite taco toppings.
How to store leftovers of this healthy chicken taco casserole recipe?
Store leftovers in an airtight container and serve within 5 days.
If you topped the casserole with tortilla chips you may want to remove them before storing because they will become soggy.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or reheat in a toaster oven for about 10 minutes at 350.
How To Serve Leftovers of Chicken Taco Casserole
Manservant ate this the next morning with a fried egg. He thinks everything goes with a fried egg.
Leftovers can also be spooned onto a large fresh tortilla, topped with cheese, and baked for a few minutes until everything is bubbly and the tortilla is crisp.
Yes, you just made a quesadilla!
This chicken taco casserole recipe is a hearty, cheesy, easy-to-make crowd-pleaser full of flavors.
It’s an easy chicken recipe with yummy taco flavors making it a perfect dinner for Taco night.
The next time you need a healthy, simple, cheesy, and quick chicken casserole, be sure to give this Mexican version a try.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes You Will Love
Mexican Chicken Fajita Tater Tot Casserole
I’d love to hear if you make this recipe! Please share a review or rate the recipe,
and be sure to tag me on social!
Recipe Card
Print
Easy Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy Chicken Taco Casserole was a hit with Manservant. I thought it was pretty good, too! Not only that, it was super easy to make! A win-win for all!
Ingredients
2 T olive oil, divided plus more for the baking dish
1 pound ground chicken or 3 c rotisserie shredded chicken or pour the sauce over browned chicken breasts
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium red pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 15 ounce can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 T tomato paste
3 T (store-bought or homemade) chili or taco seasoning
1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 t fresh black pepper
15 ounces tomato salsa
1 1/2 c shredded mild cheddar, jalapeno Jack or Monterey Jack cheese
Toppings: Sour cream, cilantro, green onions, radishes, more cheese, tortilla chips
Instructions
Arrange rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with oil, and set aside.
Heat 1 T of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking up as you go-about 6 – 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate when done.
Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining 1 T of oil and heat until shimmering. Add the onion, pepper, garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. (Add green chiles here if you’d like).
Return chicken to pan and stir in the beans. Add the tomato paste, chili or taco seasoning, salt and pepper and cook while stirring about 2 minutes.
Remove skillet from heat and stir in the salsa and half of the grated cheese. Transfer to oiled baking dish and spread into an even layer. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake until the cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, about 20 minutes.
Serve with toppings of your choice.
Notes
Thanks Kitchn for the inspiration.
chef Mimi
Friday 10th of February 2023
I don't usually make casseroles, but darn this is good. My husband will love it.