Description
This Fiesta Chicken Tortilla Casserole is a flavorful, layered baked dish combining creamy soups, spicy picante sauce, tender chicken, and crunchy tortilla strips, topped with melted Colby cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal with a hint of Southwestern zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup and Sauce Mixture
- 1 can Condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can Condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can Chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup Picante sauce
- 1 cup Chopped green pepper
- 1 cup Chopped onion
- 2-3 teaspoons Chili powder
Main Ingredients
- 6 pieces Corn tortillas (cut into strips)
- 2 cups Cubed cooked chicken
- 2 cups Shredded Colby cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole evenly.
- Prepare the soup mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup until smooth. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, picante sauce, chopped green pepper, chopped onion, and 2 to 3 teaspoons of chili powder to blend all the flavors well.
- Create the first layer: Spread half of the tortilla strips evenly across the bottom of your baking dish to form the base layer.
- Add chicken and sauce: Distribute half of the cubed cooked chicken evenly over the tortilla layer, then pour half of the prepared soup mixture on top, spreading gently.
- Repeat layers: Add the remaining tortilla strips on top of the sauce, followed by the rest of the cubed chicken and the remaining soup mixture, layering carefully for even baking.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Colby cheese evenly over the top to create a golden, bubbly crust once baked.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute Colby cheese with cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save prep time.
- Adjust chili powder amount to suit your preferred spice level.
- For added texture, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top before baking.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
