Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Description:
This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a delightful addition to any potluck or party spread, offering convenience and flavor in equal measure. Perfectly suited for busy schedules, the beauty of this dish lies in its make-ahead capability. Whether you’re juggling hectic workdays or bustling family activities, this casserole allows you to prepare in advance, freeing up time while ensuring a satisfying meal awaits. Picture this: you’ve just returned from a whirlwind soccer practice, tired and hungry, and voila! Dinner is hot, aromatic, and ready to serve, thanks to a little help from your trusty oven and the magic of “time bake”.
Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Chicken, Poultry, Meat, Kid Friendly, Potluck, < 60 Mins, Oven
Aggregated Rating: 4.5 stars
Review Count: 2
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 659.6
- Fat Content: 39.3g
- Saturated Fat Content: 21.6g
- Cholesterol Content: 172.3mg
- Sodium Content: 1030.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 24.8g
- Fiber Content: 3g
- Sugar Content: 2.1g
- Protein Content: 51.5g
Recipe Servings: 6
Recipe Yield: Not specified
Ingredients:
- 2 cups light sour cream
- 1 cup diced green chilies
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 9 corn tortillas
- 4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salsa, for serving
Instructions:
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Prepare the Sour Cream Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the light sour cream, diced green chilies, paprika, ground cumin, salt, chopped green onions, and minced garlic cloves. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
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Layer the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place three corn tortillas in the bottom of the baking dish, allowing them to slightly overlap.
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Build the Layers: Begin layering the casserole by adding one-third of the cooked chicken evenly over the tortillas. Follow this with one-third of the prepared sour cream mixture, ensuring it covers the chicken but doesn’t completely coat it. Finally, sprinkle one-third of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the sour cream layer.
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Repeat: Repeat the layering process two more times, using up all the remaining chicken, sour cream mixture, and shredded cheese.
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Chill and Refrigerate: Cover the assembled casserole with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste experience.
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Bake: When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Then, place the covered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
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Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to settle and the dish to firm up slightly. Serve warm, garnished with your favorite salsa for an extra burst of flavor.
This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, combining the zesty flavors of green chilies and spices with the comforting goodness of tender chicken and creamy cheese, all nestled within layers of soft corn tortillas. Whether enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or shared at a festive gathering, this versatile dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. So go ahead, indulge in a taste of fiesta-inspired delight – it’s time to elevate your mealtime experience with this irresistible casserole creation!
