Feel free to spice up this casserole by adding a dash of cayenne pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce if you enjoy heat. It’s delicious served with a spoonful of sour cream on top, along with optional garnishes like chopped fresh tomatoes, sliced olives, or any toppings you love. This dish is perfect for serving guests, and it’s also incredibly versatile—get creative and mix in other ingredients to make it your own.
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Chip Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Chip Casserole is a savory Tex-Mex-inspired dish layered with crushed tortilla chips, creamy chicken filling, salsa, spices, and melted cheese for a comforting, one-dish meal that’s easy to customize and loved by all. Perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks, it blends bold flavors and creamy textures into a warm, satisfying dinner that can be tailored to fit any taste or dietary need.
Ingredients
- ▢ 4 to 5 cups of cooked chicken chopped (baked chicken works well for this recipe)
- ▢ 1 cup chopped green onions or substitute with regular onions if preferred
- ▢ 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- ▢ 2 tablespoons of oil
- ▢ 1 can 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes, with juice
- ▢ 1 can 10.5 ounces of cream of celery soup
- ▢ 1 can 10.5 ounces of cream of chicken soup
- ▢ 1 can 4 ounces of green chilies, drained
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ 3 to 4 cups of crushed tortilla chips
- ▢ 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese or your preferred type of shredded cheese
Instructions
- Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped green pepper and onion in the oil until softened. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, green chilies, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and cumin. Mix everything thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, create the first layer by spreading crushed tortilla chips across the bottom. Add a layer of chopped cooked chicken on top of the chips, then spoon over half of the soup mixture from the skillet. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly across this layer.
- Repeat with another layer of crushed tortilla chips, another layer of chicken, and the remaining soup mixture. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top, and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes—or just until the cheese on top is fully melted. This recipe yields approximately 10 to 12 servings.