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Photo:Fred Hardy (photographer); Jennifer Wendorf (food stylist); Shell Royster (prop stylist)

chicken taco casserole

Fred Hardy (photographer); Jennifer Wendorf (food stylist); Shell Royster (prop stylist)

Active Time:30 minsTotal Time:1 hr 15 minsServings:8Jump to Nutrition Facts

Active Time:30 minsTotal Time:1 hr 15 minsServings:8

Active Time:30 mins

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:1 hr 15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 15 mins

Servings:8

Servings:

8

Jump to Nutrition Facts

chicken taco casserole

Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients4cupsshredded cooked chicken breast2cupschopped green bell peppers2cupsshredded Mexican cheese blend, divided1(15 ounce) canno-salt-added black beans, rinsed1 ½cupsfreshorthawed frozen corn kernels¾cupfinely chopped red onion, divided4ouncesreduced-fat cream cheese, softened½cupreduced-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt½cupmedium salsa3tablespoonslime juice1 ½tablespoonsreduced-sodium taco seasoning mix1teaspoonsalt1 ½cupscrushed unsalted tortilla chips, divided2tablespoonsthinly sliced jalapeño pepper, seeded if desired1cupshredded iceberg lettuce⅔cupchopped avocado½cupchopped plum tomato2tablespoonschopped fresh cilantro

Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

4cupsshredded cooked chicken breast

2cupschopped green bell peppers

2cupsshredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

1(15 ounce) canno-salt-added black beans, rinsed

1 ½cupsfreshorthawed frozen corn kernels

¾cupfinely chopped red onion, divided

4ouncesreduced-fat cream cheese, softened

½cupreduced-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

½cupmedium salsa

3tablespoonslime juice

1 ½tablespoonsreduced-sodium taco seasoning mix

1teaspoonsalt

1 ½cupscrushed unsalted tortilla chips, divided

2tablespoonsthinly sliced jalapeño pepper, seeded if desired

1cupshredded iceberg lettuce

⅔cupchopped avocado

½cupchopped plum tomato

2tablespoonschopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Add chicken, bell peppers, 1/2 cup Mexican cheese blend, black beans, corn, 1/2 cup red onion, cream cheese, yogurt, salsa, lime juice, taco seasoning and salt to the prepared baking dish; fold and stir until thoroughly combined. Cover tightly with foil; bake until bubbling, about 30 minutes.

chicken taco casserole

Remove from the oven; remove the foil. Sprinkle the casserole with 1 cup each of the cheese blend and crumbled tortilla chips. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese blend and sliced jalapeños. Bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 10 minutes.

chicken taco casserole

Top with shredded lettuce, the remaining 1/2 cup crumbled chips and 1/4 cup red onion, avocado, tomato and cilantro. Serve immediately.

chicken taco casserole

Frequently Asked QuestionsChicken breastis a source of quality protein. It also provides several micronutrients, including choline, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).No matter the color, a serving of bell peppers will give youmore than a day’s worth of vitamin C. They’re alsopacked with carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer. Some people find green bell peppers more difficult to digest; if this is the case for you, swap the green out for any of the other colored peppers.Corn is considered a healthy food.The insoluble fiber in corn acts as a prebiotic, feeding your gut’s beneficial bacteria. Corn is also loaded with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, known to benefit eye health. And it’ll provide you with a healthy package of B vitamins and a little bit of plant protein.Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken, but please note that it will alter the nutritional profile of the recipe; in particular, rotisserie chickens can be high in sodium. To shred a rotisserie chicken, remove and discard the skin. Carefully separate the meat from the bones and discard any cartilage. Pull the chicken apart with your hands and shred. You can also use leftover roast chicken for this recipe.Make your owntaco seasoningwith spices and dried herbs from your pantry, like chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, sweet paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Store in an airtight jar for up to 6 months.Absolutely! Feel free to use red, yellow or orange bell peppers (or a combination of them) instead. You can also add poblano peppers for a touch of heat.Yes, you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store the toppings separately. Reheat the casserole in the microwave on High or in the oven until warmed through, then add the toppings right before serving.Chicken taco casserole is delicious served withArroz Rojo Mexicano (Mexican Red Rice),Easy Cilantro-Lime RiceorCauliflower Riceand grilled vegetables or a simple side salad to complete the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicken breastis a source of quality protein. It also provides several micronutrients, including choline, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).

No matter the color, a serving of bell peppers will give youmore than a day’s worth of vitamin C. They’re alsopacked with carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer. Some people find green bell peppers more difficult to digest; if this is the case for you, swap the green out for any of the other colored peppers.

Corn is considered a healthy food.The insoluble fiber in corn acts as a prebiotic, feeding your gut’s beneficial bacteria. Corn is also loaded with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, known to benefit eye health. And it’ll provide you with a healthy package of B vitamins and a little bit of plant protein.

Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken, but please note that it will alter the nutritional profile of the recipe; in particular, rotisserie chickens can be high in sodium. To shred a rotisserie chicken, remove and discard the skin. Carefully separate the meat from the bones and discard any cartilage. Pull the chicken apart with your hands and shred. You can also use leftover roast chicken for this recipe.

Make your owntaco seasoningwith spices and dried herbs from your pantry, like chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, sweet paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Store in an airtight jar for up to 6 months.

Absolutely! Feel free to use red, yellow or orange bell peppers (or a combination of them) instead. You can also add poblano peppers for a touch of heat.

Yes, you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store the toppings separately. Reheat the casserole in the microwave on High or in the oven until warmed through, then add the toppings right before serving.

Chicken taco casserole is delicious served withArroz Rojo Mexicano (Mexican Red Rice),Easy Cilantro-Lime RiceorCauliflower Riceand grilled vegetables or a simple side salad to complete the meal.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, September 2023

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Nutrition Facts(per serving)406Calories17gFat26gCarbs36gProtein

Nutrition Facts(per serving)

  • Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.