Ina Garten’s Cozy Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe

Mexican chicken casserole brings warmth and comfort to any dining table, transforming simple ingredients into a delightful culinary experience.

Layers of tender chicken, soft corn tortillas, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that promises robust flavors.

Hearty black beans and zesty diced tomatoes add depth and nutrition to this classic dish.

Onions provide a subtle aromatic touch that elevates the entire casserole’s taste profile.

Each bite promises a delicious blend of southwestern-inspired ingredients that will make everyone at the table smile.

The recipe balances protein, vegetables, and rich cheese in a harmonious combination that feels both familiar and exciting.

Why Mexican Chicken Casserole Comforts

• Quick and Comforting Crowd-Pleaser: This Mexican chicken casserole delivers a hearty, satisfying meal that brings everyone together with minimal kitchen effort and maximum flavor impact.
• Layered Texture Sensation: Each bite combines crispy tortilla chips, tender chicken, soft beans, and melty cheese, creating a delightful mix of crunchy and creamy textures that dance on your taste buds.
• Speedy Weeknight Dinner Solution: Prep and cooking take just about 30 minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy families who want a delicious, filling meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

What’s Inside the Mexican Chicken Dish

• Chicken: Shredded meat provides the main protein and hearty texture for the casserole.
• Black Beans: Adds extra protein, fiber, and southwestern flavor to the dish.

• American Cheese: Creamy melting cheese that creates a smooth, rich sauce base.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that provides a classic tangy topping with melty texture.
• Butter: Helps sauté onions and adds richness to the overall dish.

• Onions: Sweet and aromatic vegetable that provides depth of flavor when sautéed.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright, fresh tomato flavor to the casserole.
• Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Introduces a subtle spicy kick and additional moisture.
• Tortilla Shells: Provides structure and traditional Mexican-inspired layering.
• Tortilla Chips: Crispy topping that adds crunch and additional corn flavor.

Easy Way to Layer a Flavorful Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

• Undrained diced tomatoes
• Tomatoes with green chilies
• American cheese

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until smooth and warm.

Step 3: Combine Protein and Beans

• Shredded chicken
• Black beans

Step 4: Layer Casserole

• Half of chicken and bean mixture
• Half of remaining cheese sauce
• Half of cheddar cheese

Repeat layering. Top with crushed tortilla chips.

Step 5: Bake and Serve

Place casserole in preheated oven. Bake 15-20 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Remove, let cool slightly, then slice and serve hot.

Tips for Balancing Spices and Creaminess

• Boost Bean Drainage: Completely drain and rinse black beans on a fine-mesh strainer to prevent excess liquid from making your casserole soggy.
• Spice It Up: Customize heat levels by adding diced jalapeños, extra chili powder, or a splash of hot sauce for a personalized kick.
• Cheese Blend Magic: Mix cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses for a more complex, natural flavor profile that melts beautifully.
• Thickening Trick: Stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into the cheese mixture to create a more cohesive, less runny casserole texture.
• Moisture-Locking Technique: Tent aluminum foil over the dish during the first half of baking to keep the casserole juicy and help cheese melt evenly.

Storing Casserole for Day-After Flavor

• Vacuum Seal for Longevity: Pack the cooled casserole into vacuum-sealed bags to remove air completely, preventing freezer burn and maintaining peak flavor for up to 4 months. Carefully portion individual servings for easy reheating and minimal waste.
• Individual Portion Freezing: Divide the casserole into single-serving glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Label each container with the date and contents, allowing quick identification and ensuring optimal freshness for 3 months.
• Refrigerator Recovery: Transfer refrigerated casserole to room temperature 15 minutes before reheating to prevent uneven warming. Use a microwave or oven, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out during the reheating process.

New Twists for Chicken Casserole Fans

• Spicy Southwest Adventure: Replace American cheese with pepper jack for extra heat. Add diced jalapeños to the chicken and bean mixture for a fiery kick.
• Green Chile Fusion: Substitute black beans with pinto beans. Incorporate roasted green chiles into the cheese sauce for a robust, smoky flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Harvest: Swap chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and corn. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken, and add quinoa for protein-packed layers.
• Mediterranean Crossover: Introduce feta cheese and kalamata olives. Replace tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes and add fresh herbs like oregano and parsley for a Mediterranean-inspired version.

Wrap-Up of a Mexican Classic

Culinary magic blooms in this Mexican chicken casserole, where comfort meets zesty flavors.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable meal that sparks connection around dinner tables.

Layers of tender chicken, creamy cheese, and bold spices create an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes.

Hearty black beans and crisp tortilla chips provide unexpected crunch and depth to each delightful bite.

Home cooks can confidently craft this crowd-pleasing dish that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Ready to elevate dinner?

You’ll want to snap a photo, share this recipe with friends, and let the comments section buzz with culinary excitement.

Ina Garten Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Mexican chicken casserole brings zesty layers of comfort to your dinner table. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly with robust spices, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) chicken breast, cooked, shredded
• 30 ounces (850 grams) black beans, canned, drained, rinsed
• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 16 ounces (454 grams) American processed cheese product, cubed

Tortilla and Tomato Components:

• 8 each Mission® Super Size Yellow Corn Tortillas
• 4 ounces (113 grams) Mission® Brown Bag White Tortilla Strips, crushed
• 15 ounces (425 grams) diced tomatoes, canned
• 10 ounces (283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies, canned

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) yellow onion, diced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 350°F (177°C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Create the cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Incorporate undrained diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, and American cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and warm.
3. Prepare the protein layer by combining shredded chicken and black beans in a mixing bowl. Distribute a thin layer of the cheese and tomato sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Carefully arrange four tortilla shells to cover the entire base, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Construct the first layer by evenly spreading half of the chicken and bean mixture over the tortilla shells. Pour and distribute half of the remaining cheese sauce, making sure it covers the entire surface. Generously sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the sauce.
5. Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients, creating a second identical layer. Finish the casserole by topping with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch and texture.
6. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Verify that the dish is thoroughly heated and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from oven, let cool for 3-5 minutes, then slice and serve immediately.

Notes

• Straining beans completely prevents excess liquid, ensuring a perfectly textured casserole with concentrated flavors.
• Customize heat levels by experimenting with jalapeños, chili powder, or hot sauce, letting your taste buds guide the spice intensity.
• Thickening tricks like cornstarch or flour transform the cheese sauce from runny to rich and creamy, creating a more satisfying bite.
• Cheese blend magic happens when cheddar and Monterey Jack replace standard American cheese, delivering deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Strategic foil coverage during initial baking stages locks in moisture, helping cheese melt evenly and preventing unwanted dryness.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg