Chicken Taco Casserole
Chicken taco casserole is one of those easy meals that comes together easily
The rice cooks right in the dish, soaking up all the flavor from the chicken, beans, tomatoes, and green chiles as it bakes. A layer of melted cheese on top makes it hearty enough for a family dinner any night of the week.
Serve it with sour cream and your favorite taco toppings for a meal everyone can customize at the table.
Jump to Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe
- Simple prep: Everything mixes together quickly before baking.
- Hearty dinner: Chicken, rice, beans, tomatoes, and cheese make it filling.
- Great for busy nights: The oven does most of the work after a short prep.
- Easy to customize: Top it with sour cream, salsa, avocado, or extra cheese.
- Family-friendly flavor: This is one of those easy family dinners the whole crew will enjoy.
Mexican Chicken Casserole Ingredients
- Taco rice
- Cooked and shredded chicken
- Black beans, drained and rinsed
- Diced tomatoes, drained
- Diced green chilis, drained
- Chicken broth
- Shredded colby jack cheese
- Sour cream to top
How To Make Chicken Taco Casserole
This visual guide is helpful for making this recipe. For the full printable recipe with measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together the taco rice, shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, green chilis, and chicken broth.
Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch casserole dish, or mix everything directly in the dish.
Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
Remove the casserole from the oven, top with shredded Colby Jack cheese, and bake for 10 more minutes.
Top with sour cream and any other toppings you like before serving.
Chicken Taco Casserole FAQs
Can I mix everything directly in the casserole dish?
Yes, you can mix everything right in the 9×13 inch dish to save on cleanup.
Does the rice need to be cooked first?
No, use the taco rice pouches dry so they can cook in the chicken broth while baking.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works well and makes prep even faster.
Can I add extra toppings?
Yes, sour cream, salsa, avocado, green onions, or crushed tortilla chips all work well.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The rice should be tender, the liquid should be absorbed, and the cheese should be melted.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes, cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend can be used.
Chicken Taco Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 – 5.4 oz pouches of taco rice (We used Knorr brand)
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes drained
- 4 oz can diced green chilis drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded colby jack cheese
- Sour cream to top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together the taco rice, shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, green chilis, and chicken broth. Pour into a 9×13 inch casserole dish. (you can mix everything right in the dish if you want)
- Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, top with cheese, and bake for 10 minutes.
- Top with sour cream and whatever else you’d like to serve.
Variations
Use a different protein: Swap the shredded chicken for cooked ground turkey, ground beef, or shredded pork for a different twist.
Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or use hot diced green chiles for extra heat.
Change the beans: Black beans can be replaced with pinto beans or kidney beans depending on what you have on hand.
Try a different cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all melt well and add great flavor.
Add more vegetables: Stir in corn, diced bell peppers, or chopped onions for extra color and texture.
Use rotisserie chicken: It’s a great shortcut that makes this casserole even quicker to prepare.
Customize the toppings: Finish with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, avocado, green onions, cilantro, sliced olives, or crushed tortilla chips for added flavor and crunch.
Make it creamier: Stir in 4 ounces of softened cream cheese or ½ cup of sour cream with the other ingredients before baking for a richer, creamier casserole.
