Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe

Did you know Ree Drummond's Mexican Chicken Casserole evolved from traditional Tex-Mex family recipes? You'll want to pay close attention, because this isn't just another weeknight dinner – it's a flavor-packed journey through layers of tender chicken, corn tortillas, and melted cheese. Imagine creating a dish that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Intrigued by how a few smart techniques can elevate a basic casserole? Keep reading to uncover the secrets.

Recipe Highlights

• This casserole combines shredded chicken, corn tortillas, enchilada sauce, green chilies, and Mexican cheese blend in a layered baking dish.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish by creating overlapping tortilla layers with chicken and sauce.
• Generously distribute diced green chilies and shredded cheese across the layers to ensure even flavor and a golden-brown finish.
• The dish can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated, and baked when ready, making it convenient for family meals and gatherings.
• After baking, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to help layers settle, and serve with optional fresh herb garnishes.

History

Although Mexican casseroles have deep roots in traditional cuisine, the modern chicken enchilada casserole emerged as a convenient adaptation of classic Mexican cooking techniques.

You'll find this dish reflects the resourcefulness of home cooks who transformed authentic enchilada recipes into a more accessible, family-friendly meal. Traditional Mexican culinary methods often involved layering tortillas, meats, and sauces – techniques that directly influenced today's casserole approach.

Mexican immigrants and Tex-Mex cuisine popularized these one-dish meals in the United States, blending cultural cooking traditions with practical, time-saving meal preparation. The casserole format allowed families to enjoy complex flavor profiles without spending hours in the kitchen.

Recipe

A comforting Mexican Chicken Casserole brings the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine directly to your dinner table. This easy-to-prepare dish combines tender shredded chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, and melted cheese into a satisfying meal that appeals to both family and friends.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity and versatility, allowing home cooks to create a delicious meal with minimal preparation time. By layering tortillas, chicken, sauce, and cheese, you'll create a hearty dish that can be assembled quickly and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 2 cans (10 oz each) red enchilada sauce
• 12 corn tortillas
• 3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish. Begin by creating the first layer of corn tortillas, slightly overlapping them to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread half the shredded chicken evenly over the tortillas, then pour half the enchilada sauce and sprinkle half the diced green chilies across the layer.

Next, add a generous layer of shredded cheese. Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients, ensuring the final layer is topped with cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

When preparing this dish, use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking. This resting period helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

For added flexibility, the casserole can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly in foil.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by carefully arranging your corn tortillas in an overlapping pattern across the bottom of your 9×13 baking dish, creating a solid foundation for your casserole.

Next, evenly spread the shredded chicken over the tortilla base, then generously pour the enchilada sauce, making sure to cover the chicken completely and sprinkle the diced green chilies for that authentic Mexican flavor profile.

Complete the first layer by adding a generous handful of shredded Mexican cheese blend, then repeat the entire process to build a second, equally delicious layer that'll bake into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.

Step 1. Arrange Tortillas in Dish

Since layering is crucial for a perfectly textured Mexican Chicken Casserole, start by preparing your corn tortillas with careful precision.

You'll want to create a stable base in your 9×13 baking dish by slightly overlapping the tortillas. Aim to cover the entire bottom of the dish, cutting tortillas as needed to fill any gaps. Ensure each tortilla slightly touches its neighbor, creating a seamless foundation for your layers.

• Use corn tortillas at room temperature
• Overlap edges by about 1/2 inch
• Cut tortillas to fit dish edges precisely
• Press tortillas gently to create an even surface

The goal is a uniform layer that will support your chicken, sauce, and cheese without creating gaps or uneven thickness.

Take your time with this step to guarantee a professional-looking casserole.

Step 2. Spread Chicken on Tortillas

After carefully arranging your tortilla base, the next step transforms your casserole's foundation with tender, flavor-packed chicken. You'll want to distribute 4 cups of shredded chicken evenly across the tortilla layer, ensuring complete coverage.

Use gentle spreading motions to create a uniform thickness, which helps guarantee consistent cooking and flavor distribution.

Key chicken placement tips include:

• Aim for an even 1/2-inch layer
• Break up larger chicken chunks
• Cover tortillas completely
• Leave a slight margin around edges

When spreading the chicken, press lightly to help it nestle into the tortilla base. This technique ensures each bite will have a perfect chicken-to-tortilla ratio.

The shredded chicken should look moist and inviting, hinting at the delicious Mexican-inspired layers to come in your casserole.

Step 3. Pour Enchilada Sauce

Because layering creates depth in Mexican cuisine, carefully pour the enchilada sauce over the first chicken layer to ensure complete flavor coverage. You'll want to distribute the sauce evenly, using about 1 cup of the red enchilada sauce across the layer, making sure every inch of chicken and tortilla gets moistened.

The sauce acts as a flavor conductor, binding the ingredients together and preventing dryness. Tilt your baking dish slightly to help the sauce spread uniformly. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently guide the sauce into any missed spots.

The goal is a consistent, saturated layer that'll infuse your casserole with rich, tangy Mexican flavors. Don't worry about perfection—a few uneven spots won't compromise the dish's deliciousness.

Step 4. Sprinkle Green Chilies Evenly

The 1 can of diced green chilies will transform your Mexican Chicken Casserole from good to exceptional, so you'll want to sprinkle them with precision and care.

Use your fingers or a spoon to distribute the chilies evenly across each layer, ensuring every bite gets a hint of their zesty flavor. Key distribution tips include:

• Break up any clumped chilies
• Spread them in a light, even layer
• Focus on creating consistent coverage
• Don't pack them too densely

When sprinkling, aim for about 2 tablespoons per layer, moving from the edges toward the center.

The goal is subtle heat and flavor integration, not overwhelming concentration. Gentle, methodical spreading will guarantee each slice of your casserole has balanced green chile essence, elevating the entire dish's complexity and taste profile.

Step 5. Add Cheese Layer

Cheese transforms your Mexican Chicken Casserole from good to spectacular, turning humble ingredients into a bubbling, golden masterpiece. Sprinkle your freshly grated Mexican cheese blend generously across each layer, ensuring complete and even coverage. Use approximately 1.5 cups of cheese per layer, creating a rich, melty foundation that binds your casserole together.

• Focus on full coverage
• Use room-temperature cheese
• Distribute evenly with gentle hand motions

When layering, start from the edges and work toward the center, preventing cheese from clumping. Press down lightly to help cheese settle between chicken and tortilla layers. The top layer should have a slightly thicker cheese coating, which will create that irresistible golden-brown crust when baked.

Final Thoughts

When you're craving a comforting Mexican-inspired dish that's both simple and delicious, this chicken casserole recipe will become your go-to meal. It's versatile enough for weeknight dinners and impressive enough for potlucks, offering restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

You'll love how easily it comes together, with just five key ingredients transforming into a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner. Remember to let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers settle and makes serving easier.

If you're planning ahead, you can assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.

Pro tip: freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, giving your casserole that perfect, golden-brown finish every time.