Description
This Loaded Chicken Taco Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish, featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with salsa and taco seasoning layered over creamy refried beans, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crunchy tortilla chips. Finished with fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, and a dollop of sour cream, it’s a satisfying Tex-Mex inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups shredded chicken
- 2 cups salsa
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
Base Layer
- 16 oz refried beans (1 can)
Toppings
- 6 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning. Stir thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with the salsa and seasoning, ensuring balanced flavor throughout.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the refried beans evenly over the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish to create the base layer. Then, spoon the chicken mixture evenly over the beans and finish by sprinkling the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is piping hot throughout and the cheese has melted and started to bubble.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and immediately top it with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch, shredded lettuce for freshness, spoonfuls of pico de gallo for a zesty bite, and dollops of sour cream for creaminess.
- Serve: Serve the casserole hot for a delicious Tex-Mex meal that brings layers of flavor and texture together, perfect for sharing with family or guests.
Notes
- This Chicken Taco Casserole is amazingly delicious and incredibly easy to prepare, combining layers of refried beans, tender chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning.
- Make sure to use fresh and high-quality ingredients to enhance the flavors of the dish.
- For a spicier kick, you can add jalapeños or hot sauce to the chicken mixture or pico de gallo.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that your taco seasoning and refried beans do not contain gluten.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1587 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
