Mexican Chicken Casserole, Tortilla Chip Layered

Key Ingredients Explained

• Why I Use Ground Chicken: The original recipe instructed to use shredded rotisserie chicken. I prefer ground chicken, which is one of the things that makes this casserole different. I prefer it to shredded chicken because the meat cooks directly with the seasonings and becomes evenly distributed throughout the casserole. It’s also an excellent canvas for Southwestern flavors, absorbing the taco seasoning and blending naturally with the creamy tomato sauce.
• Taco Seasoning: I always use my own recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning. A special blend of seasonings which includes Smoked Paprika, is more flavorful than store purchased taco seasoning packets.
• Why Hatch Chiles Are My Preferred Choice: I have tested this casserole with both Hatch and Pueblo chile peppers. Both work well, but Pueblo chiles bring considerably more heat. To learn more, please reference my article, Pueblo Chili vs Hatch Chile Peppers. Hatch green chiles with their milder heat makes the finished dish more family-friendly while still providing that wonderful roasted green chile flavor. Fresh roasted chiles provide the best smoky flavor, but I have also tested this recipe with canned green chiles. They are a convenient substitute and work well when fresh roasted chiles aren’t available.
• Cheese Options – Choose Your Favorite: I have tested this casserole with several different cheeses, including cheddar and Pepper Jack, and they all work well. Use cheddar for a classic, mild flavor or Pepper Jack if you’d like to add another layer of gentle heat. A combination of cheeses also works nicely.

What Are The Best Tortilla Chips? Thick. Sturdy.

• Choose thick, sturdy corn tortilla chips for this casserole. I have tested thinner chips, and they become too soggy as the casserole bakes.
• Thicker chips hold their structure better as they absorb some of the tomato-cream sauce. They will soften during baking, that’s part of the casserole’s layered texture, but sturdy chips prevent the dish from becoming mushy.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Protein: Use lean ground turkey or lean ground beef.
• Spicy: Spice things up by adding some thin sliced fresh jalapeno peppers to the toppings.

Using Fresh Roasted Chiles

Each fall, I buy freshly roasted Hatch or Colorado grown Pueblo chile from local chile-roasting operations, then divide the roasted peppers into freezer-safe bags and freeze them to use throughout the winter.

You can also roast fresh chile peppers at home. Place them about 5 inches below the oven broiler and turn them frequently until the skins are blistered and charred. Or grill them. Then prepare the peppers according to the instructions below.

Don’t have access to fresh roasted chiles? Canned green chiles are a convenient substitute. I’ve tested them in this casserole and they work well, although they don’t have quite the same fresh, smoky flavor as roasted chiles.

How To Clean Roasted Chile Peppers

• Let roasted peppers steam/soften before peeling by placing them in a gallon zip lock style bag, unsealed.
• Remove the blistered outer skin. Remove the stem. Remove seeds and membranes according to desired heat.
• Avoid rinsing excessively if you want to preserve the roasted chile flavor.

How To Make Mexican Chicken Casserole

1. Step 1: Cook The Ground Chicken: Heat a large fry pan over medium high heat. Add the oil. Add the ground chicken and chopped onion. Cook, stirring often until chicken is almost cooked and the onion has softened. Add the chopped chile peppers and taco seasoning.
2. Step 2: Simmer and stir for 1 minute or until well combined.

3. Step 3: Make The Tomato Cream Sauce: Add tomato juice and cook for 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer for a couple of minutes until well blended, stirring.
4. Step 4: Build The Thortilla Chip Layers: In a large deep casserole baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray, place ½ of the bag of tortilla chips on the bottom. 

7. Step 7: Continue to Layer: Add another healthy layer of tortilla chips, and most of the remaining cheese.
8. Step 8: Finish The Layers: Pour on the rest of the chicken cream sauce and top along with the remaining cheese.

9. Step 9: Bake Until Hot and Bubbly: Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
10. To Serve: Let rest for 10 minutes, then top with you favorite taco fixings like chopped lettuce and diced tomatoes for that taco experience. Slices of fresh jalapeno peppers and a dollop of sour cream.

Can You Freeze This Casserole?

Yes. I have personally tested freezing this casserole, and it freezes well without compromising the texture. Allow the casserole to cool completely before freezing it in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: I like to reheat individual servings in the microwave. The 50% power feature is your best friend. Microwave in 15 second increments until heated through. This lower power option prevents microwave food explosions. You can also reheat in a 200 degree oven until heated through. Always use a lower temperature option.

What To Serve It With

• A salad is a great option here. Take a look at my Southwestern Salad Recipe.
• My recipe for Southwest Sauteed Mixed Vegetables would make a great side dish. Or try my Cowboy Beans.

Southwest and Mexican Toppings

• Mexican Restaurant Style Salsa
• Mango Pico de Gallo
• Molcajete Guacamole
• Try a drizzle of New Mexico Red Chile Sauce = divine.

Explore More Southwestern Recipes

If you’re looking for more Mexican food recipes, don’t miss my Mexican Food Category. And my article for Hatch Chile Recipes. You’ll find lots of recipes to bring a Fiesta to your table, including this popular comfort food recipe for Mexican Mac and Cheese.

This Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe is inspired from a Junior League Cookbook, Fiesta, which describes its contents as “favorite recipes from South Texas”. It’s an old book that I found at a garage sale and it’s full of comfort food treasures, recipes that found their way to family dinners, church potlucks and neighborhood gatherings.