Crispy Loaded Nacho Chicken Casserole Easy Recipe with Bold Flavors
A quick and easy casserole combining crispy tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, and bold Mexican spices for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie recommended)
- Tortilla chips, crushed lightly (sturdy brand like Mission)
- Cheddar cheese, shredded (sharp or blend with Monterey Jack)
- Black beans, rinsed and drained
- Frozen corn kernels, thawed
- Green onions, sliced thin
- Jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
- Chunky salsa (smoky chipotle or classic tomato)
- Mexican seasoning blend (cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the chicken by shredding or chopping into bite-sized pieces. If cooking fresh, season with salt and pepper and cook through before shredding.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, black beans, corn, diced jalapeño (if using), sliced green onions, and salsa. Add about 1½ teaspoons (7g) of Mexican seasoning blend and stir to coat evenly.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle about 1 cup (100g) of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken layer.
- Crush tortilla chips gently and sprinkle half evenly over the cheese layer.
- Repeat layers with remaining chicken mixture, cheese, and crushed chips. Press down lightly but do not pack tightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and chips are golden brown. Tent with foil if chips brown too quickly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Notes
[‘Do not overmix the chips to keep texture contrast.’, ‘Use dry salsa to avoid sogginess; drain if watery.’, ‘Layer cheese between chip layers to keep chips crispy.’, ‘Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving.’, ‘Let ingredients come to room temperature before assembling for better crispness.’, ‘Add hot sauce before serving for extra spice if desired.’, ‘Reheat leftovers in oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the cas
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 28
Keywords: nacho casserole, chicken casserole, crispy casserole, Mexican casserole, easy dinner, weeknight meal, loaded nachos, bold flavors