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Chicken Taco Casserole

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This easy Chicken Taco Casserole is a flavourful, creamy dish that features shredded chicken (or time-saving rotisserie chicken), taco seasoning, and melty cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal that everyone will love!

If you’re looking for more ways to use cooked or rotisserie chicken, check out my cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake!

A serving of Chicken Taco Casserole on a spatula being held over the rest of the casserole in a white dish.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This chicken taco casserole recipe got lots of “mmm”s around the table when we were testing it. We scooped it up with tortilla chips, so it was basically a creamy hot chicken dip. SO good. We think you’ll love it too because it’s

  • Easy to make, especially if you use rotisserie chicken.
  • A creamy, cheesy crowdpleaser that both kids and adults will enjoy. Just watch the heat of the diced tomatoes with chilies if your family is sensitive to spice. We used mild Rotel tomatoes.
  • Perfect for sharing, whether it’s a family dinner, potluck or game day gathering!
A serving of Chicken Taco Casserole on a white plate next to a red and white linen.

Ingredients and variations

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chicken taco bake. See the recipe card below for full details.

  • Oil – vegetable or avocado oil, for sautéing. You can use olive oil too.
  • Green pepper
  • Onion
  • Cooked chicken breasts – we like to use cubed grilled, pressure cooked, or rotisserie chicken, but shredded chicken also works! For a different texture, you an also use a pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative.
  • Corn – we use canned corn, but frozen will also work.
  • Black beans – can sub pinto, or leave them out if beans aren’t your favourite!
  • Diced tomatoes with green chilies – we used mild Rotel to keep it kid friendly.
  • Taco seasoning mix – use your favourite store-bought packet or 3 tablespoons of homemade seasoning.
  • Garlic salt – or a mix of regular salt and garlic powder.
  • Sour cream – can sub full-fat plain Greek yogurt for a higher protein, lower fat option.
  • Tortilla chips
  • Shredded Colby Jack cheese – can sub regular cheddar, Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.
Ingredients needed to make Chicken Taco Casserole on a grey counter viewed from overhead, with text overlay labels.

How to make it

First, sauté the onion and green pepper in a large skillet, until softened and fragrant.

Next, add the cooked chicken, black beans, corn, taco seasoning, garlic salt and diced tomatoes with chilies. Mix until combined and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat it through. Add some of the reserved tomato liquid, if necessary.

A four-photo process collage showing the stovetop steps to make Chicken Taco Casserole.

Then, remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and half the shredded cheese.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and top with crushed tortilla chips and the rest of the shredded cheese.

A four-photo process collage showing the steps to assemble the Chicken Taco Casserole.

Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Serve with your favourite garnishes.

Tips for success

  • Use a rotisserie chicken to save time. Meal prepped shredded chicken is also a great time saver. Just note that your leftovers will have a shorter shelf life if you’re not using freshly cooked chicken. If you’re making your own chicken, be sure to season it well (salt and pepper at minimum!). We also love this recipe to use up frozen chicken (two ~8oz breasts) and we use this recipe for cooking chicken breast from frozen in the Instant Pot.
  • Choose full-fat dairy for the creamiest result. Low fat dairy (like low-fat Greek yogurt) can separate when you stir it into a hot dish.
  • Drain excess liquid from the tomatoes and add back the reserved liquid only if necessary. This helps to avoid a watery texture.
  • If you have time, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes so that it will be easier to serve.
A silver fork taking a cheesy forkful of Chicken Taco Casserole from a white casserole dish.

What to serve with Chicken Taco Casserole

  • Rice – the casserole has tons of flavour so you can get away with plain white rice, but you could also go with a variation like cilantro-lime rice
  • Guacamole or diced avocado – adds creamy texture and fresh taste
  • Salsa – pico de gallo or salsa verde are fresh and tangy options
  • Salad – a light, crisp green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette would balance the richness of the casserole
  • Tortilla chips or strips – for crunch and scooping up the casserole
A serving of Chicken Taco Casserole on a white plate, viewed from overhead.

More easy chicken recipes

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A serving of Chicken Taco Casserole on a spatula being held over the rest of the casserole in a white dish.

Chicken Taco Casserole

Laura Lawless, BASc
This Chicken Taco Casserole is such an easy dinner! It's a flavourful, creamy dish made with shredded chicken (use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut), taco seasoning, and melty cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day meal that everyone will love!
5 from 1 vote

Click stars to rate now! ↑

Servings 6
Calories 521
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (like canola or avocado oil)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (rotisserie works great )
  • 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15-ounce can corn, drained
  • 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained, reserving ¼ cup of liquid
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons homemade seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt (can sub 1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 ¼ cups sour cream (can sub full-fat Greek yogurt)
  • 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (can sub cheddar cheese)
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
  • ¼ cup Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 2 ½-quart baking dish and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and bell pepper until they are softened. Add the cooked chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, taco seasoning, and garlic salt. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add up to ¼ cup of the reserved tomato liquid to achieve your desired texture.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sour cream and a half cup of the shredded cheese until well combined.
  • Spread the chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over top, then layer on the remaining shredded cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve garnished with chopped fresh cilantro or sliced green onion, if desired. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.

Notes

  1. Prep ahead: You can prepare this casserole in advance. Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking if it’s going straight from the fridge to the oven.
  2. Casserole dish: you can use a 9×13-inch dish, but the casserole will be a bit thinner. 
  3. Reheating leftovers: Reheat individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the entire casserole (covered with foil) in the oven at 350°F until heated through. Be sure the food reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety reasons.
  4. To freeze: assemble the casserole, cool completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap then aluminum foil. Consume within 3 months.
    • To thaw: thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 
    • To reheat: bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. 

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 761mg | Potassium: 746mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 642IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 337mg | Iron: 3mg

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Amazing and super simple to make! We scooped it in to corn chips like a dip. Will be making it again for the Superbowl this weekend!

    1. Laura Lawless, BASc says:

      So happy you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!