Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish combining crunchy crushed tortilla chips, tender chicken, creamy soup, beans, cheese, and zesty tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it layers vibrant Mexican-inspired ingredients into an easy, baked casserole that brings bold flavors and satisfying textures all in one pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips or Dorito Nacho Cheese chips (measure after crushing)
- 15 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Sauce and Flavor
- 21 oz. cream of chicken soup (two 10.5 oz cans, do not add water or milk)
- 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 4 oz. can diced green chiles (optional)
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded Jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded medium Cheddar cheese
Fresh Toppings
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped
- 1–2 jalapeños, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the casserole.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed tortilla chips, black beans, chopped cooked chicken, and ground cumin. Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup and the undrained can of Rotel tomatoes. If using diced green chiles, add them here as well and stir to combine.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the soup and tomato mixture over the chip and chicken mixture. Stir everything together gently until well combined.
- Layer in Baking Dish: Transfer half of the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded Jack and Cheddar cheeses over this layer.
- Add Remaining Layer: Add the remaining chip, bean, and chicken mixture on top of the cheese layer, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Top with diced tomato, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- The optional diced green chiles and jalapeños add extra spice if you like a bit of heat.
- The chips absorb the sauce as the casserole bakes, creating a moist yet crunchy texture.
- Feel free to substitute types of cheese or use pre-shredded to save prep time.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.
Keywords: Pioneer Woman, Mexican Chicken Casserole, chicken casserole, tortilla chip casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, baked casserole
