Chicken Tortilla Casserole

What does it take to make your favorite cold-weather soup even better? Turn it into a casserole—specifically Chicken Tortilla Casserole!

Most everyone has a favorite version of tortilla soup, and whether it is called Santa Fe Soup, Tortilla Soup, or Taco Soup, we can all agree that this warm, hearty, and spicy dish is hard to resist when the temperature starts dropping. We have taken the same flavors and textures and turned it into a main dish for a family-friendly weeknight supper, just as easy to prepare and just as easy to enjoy.

Learn how to make chicken tortilla casserole and enjoy the same wonderful flavors of a family-favorite soup in a creamy, comforting casserole.

Tips for the Best Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Chicken casseroles are a great way to get the family to the table. Using a rotisserie chicken really cuts down on prep time.

But for this chicken tortilla casserole recipe, if you don't have a rotisserie chicken, you can also boil or roast chicken breasts and shred the chicken yourself before you make this casserole. Keeping shredded chicken in the freezer is a brilliant weeknight dinner hack—you can pull out a pack, thaw it, and make anything from tacos to casseroles.

Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Casserole

The ingredients for this casserole read a lot like the best Tex-Mex recipes, but with a few handy ingredients that make it faster and easier for a weeknight:

• Rotisserie chicken: Fast, flavorful, and inexpensive.
• Corn tortillas: Flour tortillas may turn mushy so we like corn tortillas for being slightly more sturdy.
• Canned pinto beans: Fast and easy, these beans are filling and add a nice smoky flavor.
• Canned tomatoes: Acidic and sharp, canned tomatoes are wonderful for speeding up this casserole. If you want fresh, use chopped tomatoes as a topper.
• Dried chili powder, cumin, salt: Seasonings that provide some heat and great depth of flavor.
• Frozen corn: You can use fresh corn if it's in season, but frozen corn makes this dish prep faster.
• Shredded pepper Jack cheese: A hint of heat in this cheese pairs beautifully with the whole dish. you could also use Monterey Jack or sharp Cheddar.
• Sour cream: For topping the casserole.
• Scallions and cilantro: These herbs finish off the casserole with some freshness.
  

How To Make Chicken Tortilla Casserole

This Chicken-Tortilla Casserole is so flavorful and satisfying, it will soon top the list of your family's most-requested weeknight casseroles. It doesn't hurt that it's easy to make:

• Step 1. Mix tomatoes and spices: In a large bowl, stir the tomatoes and chiles with chili powder, cumin, and salt.
• Step 2. Combine remaining ingredients: Add chicken, tortilla quarters, corn, beans, and some of the cheese to the tomato mixture. Spoon into a prepared baking dish. Top with the rest of the cheese.
• Step 3. Bake: Bake until the casserole is brown and bubbly.
• Step 4. Serve: You can dollop with sour cream or Greek yogurt, scallions, cilantro, and avocado. We also love fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, or chopped radishes.

Can I Make Chicken Tortilla Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make Chicken Tortilla Casserole before you plan to serve it, but we recommend you bake it and then put it in the fridge, instead of making it and storing it unbaked. Cover with aluminum foil, and enjoy up to 5 days later.

How To Store Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, up to 3 days. The tortillas may soften more as the dish sits, but it will still be delicious.

You can reheat individual servings of Chicken Tortillas Casserole in the microwave 1 to 2 minutes. If you have more left, you can reheat larger leftover portions in the original baking dish at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through.

Can You Freeze Chicken Tortilla Casserole?

Yes, you can freeze this casserole for a great make-ahead dinner down the road, but again we recommend you bake the casserole and then freeze it instead of freeing it before it's baked.

Bake the casserole as instructed, and cool it entirely. Then, wrap the dish in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Make sure you label the dish with the ingredient's name and date. The Chicken Tortilla Casserole will be good for two months in the freezer.

Let the frozen casserole thaw overnight in the fridge, and set it out 30 minutes before you want to put it in the oven. Then, bake at 350°F for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F.

More Family-Favorite Casserole Recipes:

Casseroles are great for feeding a big family with one dish. Here are more favorites:

• King Ranch Chicken Casserole
• Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
• French Onion Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Spaghetti Casserole