Always a crowd-pleaser, Chicken Tortilla Casserole is the perfect dish for busy families looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal. This recipe takes the ease of convenient ingredients and layers them into a comforting casserole that’s bursting with rich, creamy goodness in every bite. While drawing inspiration from classic recipes, including those reminiscent of the Pioneer Woman’s hearty style, this version is streamlined for today’s cook, ensuring dinner is both delicious and stress-free.
This Chicken Tortilla Casserole recipe is designed with your weeknights in mind. It cleverly utilizes pantry staples and pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to minimize prep time, making it an ideal choice for those evenings when time is short but the craving for home-cooked comfort is strong. While some traditional Chicken Tortilla Casserole Pioneer Woman recipes might call for homemade enchilada sauce and freshly diced tomatoes, requiring more time in the kitchen, this version focuses on speed and simplicity without sacrificing any of the mouthwatering flavors you expect and love. For anyone seeking a reliable, quick, and delicious dinner solution, this Chicken Tortilla Casserole is guaranteed to become a regular feature on your family’s menu.
Why This Chicken Tortilla Casserole is a Weeknight Winner
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. Here’s what makes this Chicken Tortilla Casserole so irresistible:
- Unbeatable Convenience: Life is busy, and dinner shouldn’t add to the stress. This recipe is all about ease, using ingredients that are readily available and quick to assemble. Perfect for those nights when you need a delicious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Flavor-Packed Layers: From the savory sautéed onions and garlic to the blend of spices and creamy soups, every layer of this casserole is designed to deliver maximum flavor. The combination of textures, from the soft tortillas to the melted cheese and tender chicken, creates a truly satisfying eating experience.
- Hearty and Satisfying: This casserole is incredibly filling, making it a complete meal in one dish. Packed with chicken, tortillas, and cheese in a rich, creamy sauce, it’s guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest appetites and keep everyone full and happy.
- Creamy, Cheesy Dream: The creamy sauce, made with a blend of soups and chicken broth, is the star of the show. It perfectly coats every layer, melding with the melted cheddar cheese to create a luscious, cheesy blanket that’s simply irresistible. For those who love a bit of zest, consider adding drained Rotel tomatoes for a tangy tomato kick, a popular and delicious variation on this classic casserole.
Chicken Tortilla Casserole in a baking dish
A delicious and creamy chicken tortilla casserole, baked to golden perfection in a ceramic dish, ready to be served as a comforting family meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Chicken Tortilla Casserole
To whip up this delightful Chicken Tortilla Casserole, gather these simple ingredients:
- Aromatic Base: 1 cup chopped yellow onion and 4 cloves minced fresh garlic provide a flavorful foundation.
- Savory Spices: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 ½ teaspoons dried cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon black pepper create a warm and inviting spice profile.
- Mild Chiles: 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles add a touch of mild heat and Southwestern flavor.
- Creamy Soup Base: 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup and 1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup create the signature creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth: 1 cup chicken broth thins the sauce to the perfect consistency and enhances the chicken flavor.
- Corn Tortillas: 1 dozen corn tortillas, cut into ½ inch strips, form the casserole layers.
- Cheese, Please!: 2 ½ – 3 cups grated cheddar cheese, or a blend of your favorite cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby, for ultimate cheesiness.
- Cooked Chicken: 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken – rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, or use leftover cooked chicken.
Step by step how to make chicken tortilla casserole
Step-by-step process of making chicken tortilla casserole, showing the layering of tortillas, sauce, chicken, and cheese in a baking dish before baking in the oven.
Step-by-Step Guide to Chicken Tortilla Casserole Perfection
Follow these easy steps to assemble and bake your Chicken Tortilla Casserole:
- Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Spice it Up: Stir in dried cumin, dried oregano, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant. This blooms the spices, enhancing their flavor.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Add chopped green chiles (including their juice), cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth to the skillet. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth, creating a luscious and flavorful sauce.
- Layer the Casserole: Pour ½ cup of the creamy sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange ⅓ of the corn tortilla strips in a flat layer over the sauce.
- Add Chicken and Cheese: Spread ⅓ of the remaining sauce over the tortillas. Top with ½ of the shredded cooked chicken, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle ⅓ of the grated cheese over the chicken.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat layers 4 and 5 once more: tortillas, sauce, chicken, and cheese.
- Final Layer: For the final layer, arrange the remaining tortilla strips over the second cheese layer. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the tortillas and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake to Bubbly Goodness: Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 35-45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, the sauce is bubbly around the edges, and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes serving easier.
Tips for Storing, Freezing, and Serving Your Casserole
- Storing Leftovers: Chicken Tortilla Casserole is fantastic as leftovers! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake in a preheated oven until warmed through.
- Freezing: While this casserole is best enjoyed fresh or as leftovers within a few days, freezing is not recommended as the creamy sauce and tortillas can become mushy upon thawing.
- Serving Suggestions: Casseroles are typically hearty meals on their own. Enhance your Chicken Tortilla Casserole with fresh and vibrant side dishes. A crisp salad like Southwest Salad, flavorful Drunken Beans, or classic Mexican Rice would make excellent accompaniments. For extra zest, serve with a side of guacamole or chips and salsa to complement the rich flavors of the casserole.
Serving spoon scooping Chicken Tortilla Casserole
A serving spoon lifting a generous scoop of cheesy and saucy chicken tortilla casserole from a baking dish, showcasing the creamy texture and delicious layers of the dish.
More Mexican-Inspired Family Favorites
Craving more delicious Mexican-inspired dishes? Explore these other family-friendly recipes from Pioneer Technology:
- For a lighter option, try our recipe for White Chicken Enchiladas.
- Seafood lovers will enjoy our Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas.
- For a hearty beef option, don’t miss our Shredded Beef Enchiladas.
- And for a classic, cheesy delight, our Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas are always a hit.
Enjoy the comforting flavors of this Chicken Tortilla Casserole, a dish sure to become a beloved staple in your home, inspired by the hearty and wholesome cooking traditions we admire.
