Description
This Loaded Chicken Taco Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining shredded chicken, salsa, refried beans, and cheddar cheese, baked to perfection and topped with fresh tortilla chips, lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that brings all the classic taco flavors into a simple casserole format.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups shredded chicken
- 2 cups salsa
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
Base Layer
- 16 oz refried beans (1 can)
Toppings
- 6 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Combine Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning and salsa for full flavor infusion.
- Layer Ingredients in Casserole Dish: Spread the refried beans evenly across the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish to create a solid base layer. Then, evenly layer the chicken mixture on top of the beans. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese as the top layer before baking.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is piping hot throughout, ensuring a fully cooked and melded dish.
- Add Fresh Toppings and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and immediately top it with the crushed tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture or pico de gallo.
- If preferred, substitute cheddar cheese with a Mexican cheese blend for more depth of flavor.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; bake when ready to serve.
- Use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter topping option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: Chicken casserole, taco casserole, Mexican casserole, baked chicken taco dish, easy chicken dinner, taco seasoning recipe, refried beans casserole
