Description
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a vibrant and hearty dish combining shredded chicken, black beans, corn, pasta, and a zesty blend of salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Topped with melted Mexican cheese, this easy-to-make casserole bursts with bold southwestern flavors, making it a perfect comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Base and Dairy
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided (1 cup + 1 cup)
Grains and Seasoning
- 10 oz pasta
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta for two minutes less than the package instructions suggest to ensure al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning. Stir well to create a flavorful sauce base.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, drained black beans, corn kernels, and 1 cup of the Mexican cheese blend to the sauce mixture. Mix until all ingredients are well blended.
- Add Pasta: Gently fold the cooked pasta into the mixture, ensuring even distribution of all components.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish and evenly spread it out. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need to make the dish gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding fresh cilantro or chopped green onions as garnish after baking can enhance flavor and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Fiesta Chicken Casserole, Mexican casserole, chicken pasta bake, taco seasoned casserole, easy dinner casserole
