Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Admittedly, this is one of our favorite meals and that's why I want to share it with you. Sometimes, you need that meal that is pretty easy to make, and that everyone loves. This is it in our house.

The recipe is easy to follow and makes the perfect weeknight meal. Plus, it’s always a hit with guests! The best part about this dish is that it can be tailored to your liking. If you want more spice, add in some jalapeno peppers. Prefer beef over chicken? No problem – just swap out the meat and you’re good to go.

And, don't worry - if you want Mexican but need to avoid the carbohydrates, then check out our delicious keto taco casserole instead.

round white casserole of tortilla casserole on wire rack

What Goes With Tortilla Casserole?

There are a few things that go great with this chicken tortilla casserole. Below are some things I like to have on hand to go with this dish. These are mostly toppings, but can also be a side depending upon if you want to have chips and dip on the side too.

Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Salsa, hot sauce, or sliced jalapenos
Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, or sliced black olives
Guacamole or cheese dip/queso

Of course, you may also want to serve something on the side, not just as an accent to the meal. If that is the case, then a side of refried beans or black beans would be delicious. I have to have yellow or Mexican rice when I eat a casserole like this too. If you’re looking for something lighter, a side salad would also be a great option.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium white onion
3 garlic cloves
1 ⅔ cups tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
1 cup cream cheese
2 pounds shredded cooked chicken thighs or breasts
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 8" flour tortillas

shredded chicken, cheese, and sauces in white bowls on gray table

Kitchen Tools You May Need

casserole in white baking dish topped with fresh herbs

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside. I like using a smaller round dish such as a 10" casserole for this so the tortillas fit easily inside. You will also need to preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.

Before you begin, go ahead and shred the chicken thighs or chicken breasts so they can just be added to the pan. Then, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, and then add the onions. Cook the onions, stirring regularly for 2 to 3 minutes.

To the onions, go ahead and add the minced garlic and the shredded chicken. Stir to combine this.

Then, add in the tomato sauce, chicken stock, Italian seasoning, and any other spices you may prefer. This is when I like to add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin or 1 tablespoon of a classic taco seasoning blend for a bit more heat.

Then, simmer this mixture for 10-minutes, stirring on occasion.

sour cream on top of cooked chicken in sauce

Add the cream cheese to the mixture and stir to combine, then remove from heat.

Now, place a tortilla along the bottom of the baking dish.

Top it with ⅙th of the chicken sauce mixture.

tortilla in round dish with chicken on top

Sprinkle with ⅙th of the cheese.

Repeat this process, with tortilla, chicken, and cheese, until all is used and the top is covered in cheese.

layered chicken tortilla casserole in round white baking dish

Bake for 45-minutes.

wire rack holding round white dish of chicken tortilla casserole

Serve with your favorite "taco" toppings.

slice of chicken tortilla casserole on white plate

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken In This?

This is one of those recipes where rotisserie chicken really comes in handy. You can use it to save time, or if you have leftovers from another meal. Just shred the chicken and add it to the casserole.

What Other Proteins Could I Use In Place of Chicken?

If you’re not a fan of chicken, you could easily swap it out for another protein. Beef, pork, beans, or even TVP vegan protein would work well in this recipe. Just make sure whatever you use is fully cooked before adding it to the sauce.

More ideas would be to use a combination of meats. Using ground beef and ground pork will taste great. It brings different flavors into the same meal. Another idea is to use ground sausage or use a Mexican-flavored sausage like chorizo.

What Cheese is Best in Tortilla Casserole?

I like to use cheddar cheese for this casserole. However, you can definitely use a blend of what you prefer. Whatever you choose just needs to melt well.

Some favorites include a Mexican blend, mozzarella, Colby, Monterey Jack, Gouda, fontina, or even chihuahua cheese.

If you’re looking for something a little more flavorful, try using pepper jack or queso fresco. Another idea is to try using a different cheese in each layer. This would be a great way to use up any leftover cheese that you have in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Chicken Tortilla Casserole?

This casserole freezes well. I like to make a double batch and then freeze one for a quick and easy meal later on. Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. It’s best to reheat in the oven, but you can also microwave it if you’re in a hurry.

I recommend, if freezing the whole casserole, you prepare it in an aluminum baking pan that can go from freezer to refrigerator to oven seamlessly. If already cooked, you can also cut them into portions and freeze them individually for convenience.

More Easy Mexican Casseroles

Whether you want authentic Mexican flavors or a fun spin on them with a Tex-Mex or Mexican-inspired meal, we have you covered. Below are some of our favorite casseroles that are filled with that classic combination of flavors known in Mexican dishes. Make sure you take a look and bookmark your favorites, print out the recipes, or just pin them to Pinterest to make soon.

Yield: 6

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

This simple chicken tortilla casserole is perfect for using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for a fast and easy weeknight meal!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ⅔ cups tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
1 cup cream cheese
2 pounds shredded cooked chicken thighs
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 8" flour tortillas

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C and then spray a 10" baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, and then add the onions. Cook the onions, stirring regularly for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add in the minced garlic and chicken, and stir to combine.
Then, add the tomato sauce, chicken stock, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine, then simmer for 10-minutes.
Add the cream cheese to the mixture and stir to combine, then remove from heat.
Now, place a tortilla along the bottom of the baking dish.
Top it with ⅙th of the chicken sauce mixture.
Sprinkle with ⅙th of the cheese.
Repeat this process, with tortilla, chicken, and cheese, until all is used and the top is covered in cheese.
Bake for 45-minutes.