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Home / Recipes / Casserole / EASY Chicken Taco Casserole

EASY Chicken Taco Casserole

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GF CA

Author:

Kimber Matherne

Updated:

January 17, 2024

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Chicken Taco Casserole is the dinner that has everyone cleaning their plates! This Mexican style casserole is layered with the best flavors from chicken tacos, from the tender meat, to the crispy shells, and all baked together to perfection. This crowd pleaser isn’t just delicious, but can be made in as little as 20 minutes so it’s perfect for the busiest week night.

Scooping baked chicken taco casserole from casserole dish this Recipe

Table of contents

Toggle
  • Recipe Notes
  • Recipe Short Cuts
  • Recipe Variations
  • Freezer Meal Instructions
  • What to Serve with Chicken Taco Casserole
  • Chicken Taco Casserole Leftovers
  • More Easy Casserole Recipes
  • LOADED Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

There are endless varieties of tacos but none have the winning combination of simple and delicious that this Chicken Taco Casserole offers!

With only 5 base ingredients, a handful of toppings, and 30 minutes, you can make magic happen in a casserole dish!

Some simple layering brings together the best flavors of traditional chicken tacos, and turns them into a hearty and comforting casserole.

The great part about this is that it has never been so simple to feed a crowd!

If you are looking for more traditional tacos, see my 3 ingredient crockpot chicken tacos, my baked chicken tacos, or my chicken tinga tacos.

Recipe Notes

This Taco Casserole recipe is as simple as promised! Just a handful of ingredients and a casserole dish for a family friendly meal.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients

Ingredients for making Chicken Taco Casserole including shredded chicken, refried beans, cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, chips and sour cream
  • Shredded chicken– You can use any neutral flavored or Mexican style shredded chicken in this recipe. My favorite kind to use is just rotisserie chicken pulled from the bones. You can also use baked, boiled or leftover chicken. (For more ideas on what to do with leftover chicken see my post on diced chicken recipes!)
  • Salsa– You can use your favorite type of salsa to add the flavors you most like. I really love fresh salsa, but in this recipe, I prefer a thicker salsa so that it can really coat the chicken and doesn’t make the casserole watery.
  • Chicken Taco seasoning– Both store bought seasoning or homemade seasoning will work well in this recipe. I encourage you to use homemade if you have special dietary needs because you know it is gluten free, dairy free, etc. Also, the homemade stuff is just really, really delicious!!
  • Refried beans– use canned or make a batch of my highly rated crockpot refried beans
  • Cheddar cheese– I love the flavor of cheddar in this dish and like to use sharp so that the flavor comes through without using tons of cheese. You can also use

Toppings

  • Tortilla chips– If you have a bag that is getting close to empty, the chips at the bottom are perfect for this! If not, you can just crush up chips from the top.
  •  Shredded Lettuce- You can use either romaine or iceberg for this. Either chop it up fresh or you can buy bagged shredded lettuce in the salad section at the grocery store.
  • Pico de gallo– This can be made from scratch (so easy!) or bought in the fresh produce section at many grocery stores. It is one of my favorite toppings.
  • Sour cream

Recipe Tips

  1. The right size dish. You can really use any sized dish and have this come out delicious, but I prefer a medium (around 2-2.5 qt) casserole dish. This size allows the layers not to be spread too thin, but allow it to be big enough so that you get lots of room for delicious toppings.
  2. Flavor it right! The burst of flavor in this dish comes from a combination of the salsa and taco seasoning. Both of these can vary in flavor from brand to brand, so it is really important to use a brand that you love!
  3. Homemade Taco Seasoning– I can’t say it enough! I really encourage you to try making your own taco seasoning! Not only is the flavor AMAZING, but it is so easy, healthier and cheaper than the store bought stuff, and you can make a big batch which will keep in your pantry for up to a year! What a huge win!
  4. Use THICK and SAUCY Salsa! To keep the casserole hearty (not watery) I recommend a thick salsa that is closer to a sauce consistency, instead of a more fresh salsa that can have a more watery base.
  5. Give it something a little extra! If you have the time I highly recommend adding the crumbled chips after the cheese is melted and let them get nice and crispy in the oven while the casserole finishes cooking. This really boosts the flavor and texture of the entire dish, so if you have the time, it is worth the extra minute or two it takes! (This step is further detailed in the notes section of the recipe card.)

Recipe Short Cuts

If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!

  • Prep ahead– Up to 2 days in advance, the chicken can be cooked and shredded, and the toppings can be prepped such as making the pico de gallo and shredded lettuce.
  • Buy things ready-made– Most of these items can even be bought already prepped at the store such as shredded or pulled chicken, refried beans, taco seasoning, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce.
  • Get the Casserole ready to cook– Up to 24 hours in advance you can prepare the taco casserole through step 2 where it is ready to go in the oven. Then when ready to cook, pop it in the oven and continue at step 3.
  • Prepare as a Freezer Meal– More details on this below, but it can allow you to get a good portion of the work done up to 3 months in advance!

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

  • Cheesy Taco Casserole– This version has a double dose of cheese. Make recipe as directed, adding in 1 8oz block of softened cream cheese with the shredded chicken and salsa mixture. This makes the casserole, extra creamy, extra cheesy, and EXTRA delicious.
  • Ground Beef Taco Casserole– Make the recipe as directed swapping the shredded chicken for 2 lbs cooked ground beef.
  • Taco Casserole with Rice– To make this version, you will need 2 cups of prepared Mexican rice. Use my homemade Mexican rice recipe or store bought Mexican rice. There are two options on how to prepare it:
    • Mix the rice in with the refried beans and layer as directed.
    • Spread the refried beans on the bottom of the casserole dish then layer the rice after the beans then place the chicken mixture on the rice and continue as directed.

Freezer Meal Instructions

To prepare this taco casserole as a freezer meal:

  1. Mix the chicken with the salsa and taco seasoning.
  2. Layer the beans in a casserole dish, followed by the chicken mixture and cheese.
  3. Freeze.
  4. When ready to bake, thaw 24-48 hours in the refrigerator. Then bake as directed. You may need to add up to an additional 5-10 minutes of cooking time when cooking from cold.
  5. After baking, continue with the recipe as directed.
Chicken taco casserole topped with lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream on a plate.

What to Serve with Chicken Taco Casserole

The really great thing about this casserole is that it is packed with meat, beans, cheese, and veggies, all in one dish. That makes it a filling and wholesome meal all on its own.

Since this dish has the classic flavors of tacos, it will pair well with many of your favorite Mexican side dishes. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Side Dish Ideas

  • Side salad with Jalapeno Ranch (family FAVORITE!)
  • Mexican Rice
  • Chips and salsa or tableside guacamole
  • Tortillas
  • Mexican Corn Salad
  • Buttermilk Cornbread
  • Mexican Roasted Veggies

You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner. 

Chicken Taco Casserole Leftovers

If you have leftovers after making Taco Casserole (which might not happen!) then they can be saved for another day.

To save leftovers, I remove all of the topping layers including the lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream. Then I separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:

  • in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
  • in the freezer up to a month

Once you are ready to eat, reheat the leftovers, then you can add new or additional toppings on it.

More Easy Casserole Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!

You can check out all of my EASY Casserole recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.

  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole
  • One Pan Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
  • Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
  • Barbecue Chicken Casserole
  • Beef Enchilada Casserole
Close up of Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe in casserole dish

LOADED Chicken Taco Casserole

By: Kimber Matherne
4.80 from 5 votes
This Chicken Taco Casserole is AMAZINGLY delicious, and just as easy! With layers of refried beans, tender chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning, this dish is a crowd pleaser.
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
6 servings
Rate this Recipe Print Pin SaveSaved!

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups shredded chicken
  • 2 cups salsa
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 16 oz refried beans, (1 can)
  • 6 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

Toppings

  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
  • 2 cups lettuce, shredded
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, salsa and taco seasoning stirring until the chicken is evenly coated.
  • Spread the refried beans evenly in the bottom of a 2 qt casserole dish. Then top the beans with the chicken mixture and finish with the cheese.
  • Bake at 350˚F for 20-25 minutes until piping hot all the way through.
  • Top the casserole with crushed tortilla chips, lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream. Serve immediately.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!

Recipe Notes

For an extra crispy chip layer, add the chips on top of the cheese after the casserole has cooked for about 10 minutes and the cheese is melted then return to oven for the remainder of the cooking time.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 472kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 31g (10%), Protein: 37g (74%), Fat: 22g (34%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Cholesterol: 105mg (35%), Sodium: 1587mg (69%), Potassium: 577mg (16%), Fiber: 6g (25%), Sugar: 8g (9%), Vitamin A: 1153IU (23%), Vitamin C: 4mg (5%), Calcium: 315mg (32%), Iron: 3mg (17%)

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4.80 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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11 responses

  1. Judy
    October 28, 2024

    5 stars
    This was a great recipe for an evening when I really didn’t feel like cooking. Took few ingredients and little prep time plus tasted great. Leftovers tasted just as good!

    Reply
  2. Debby Patterson
    September 23, 2022

    I made this recipe but my family are not big fans of refried beans so I made a small package of corn meal muffin mix and spread a thin layer in the bottom of the baking dish then added the rest of the ingredients on top of the raw muffin mix.

    Reply
  3. Julia Azevedo
    January 17, 2022

    4 stars
    Great flavor! This makes a lot, 10 servings. I’m going to cut back on the salsa next time because the texture was a little runny. I will also cut out the salt in the taco seasoning. Great leftovers!

    Reply
    1. Renu
      September 4, 2022

      Planning to make this for my Keno group of 12 ladies. How can I change the serving size? I ‘hovered’ over the ‘serves’ but couldn’t change it. I guess I could double it and make 2. Any suggestions?

      Reply
  4. Diane Altork
    September 9, 2021

    5 stars
    Made this for a birthday dinner and everyone LOVED it!

    Reply
  5. Debra
    August 17, 2021

    What is it that makes the sodium count so high?
    P.S. I always make my own taco seasoning.

    Reply
  6. Rachel
    June 12, 2020

    I loved this recipe so much! The whole family did in fact … definitely a keeper x

    Reply
  7. Wendy
    June 9, 2020

    What temperature is it baked at?

    Reply
    1. Kimber Matherne
      June 15, 2020

      Sorry for the slip up! It is baked at 350˚F.

      Reply
  8. Laurie
    June 9, 2020

    At what temperature are we baking this?

    Reply
    1. Kimber Matherne
      June 15, 2020

      Sorry for the slip up! It is baked at 350˚F. Hope you enjoyed the dish!

      Reply
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Scooping Chicken Taco Casserole out of baking dish
Spoonful of baked chicken taco casserole topped with lettuce and cheese
Easy Chicken taco casserole cut so you can see the beans, chicken and cheese inside of the casserole
Easy Chicken Taco Casserole served on a plate
Process photos for how to make chicken taco casserole 1. Spread refried beans in casserole dish. 2. Cover with chicken and salsa
Finished casserole on top and a close up of the chicken taco casserole being scooped out on the bottom.
process photo collage for how to make chicken taco casserole

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