Ground Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Chicken Taco Casserole is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining seasoned ground chicken, beans, and corn with tortilla strips and melted cheese, it delivers comforting Mexican-inspired flavors in a simple casserole form.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 pound Ground Chicken
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning (or seasoning blend in notes below)
• 15 oz can Beans (undrained)
• 10 oz can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
• 1 cup (170g) Frozen Roasted Corn
• 1/2 cup Chicken Broth or Water
• 6 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas, cut into thin strips
• 4 oz Shredded Mexican Cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Once hot, add the ground chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes to brown one side before breaking apart and fully cooking.
3. Step 3: Add the taco seasoning or spice blend to the cooked ground chicken. Stir until evenly incorporated before adding the can of beans (undrained), diced tomatoes and green chiles, frozen corn, and broth or water.
4. Step 4: Stir everything together before folding in the tortilla strips and topping with the shredded cheese.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are browning slightly around the edges.
6. Step 6: Garnish with chopped cilantro, salsa macha or hot sauce, sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt, or your choice of toppings before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier dish, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken while cooking.
• Use black beans or pinto beans as preferred; just make sure to keep them undrained for a moist casserole.
• If you don’t have taco seasoning, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt as a homemade blend.
• For a vegetarian version, replace ground chicken with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. To maintain crispiness, reheat in the oven at 350ºF rather than the microwave.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of meat in this casserole?

Yes, ground turkey or beef can easily substitute ground chicken, adjusting cook times as needed.

Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it fresh when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Ground Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

This Ground Chicken Taco Casserole is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines seasoned ground chicken, beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, roasted corn, and corn tortilla strips baked with melted Mexican cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, family-friendly casserole perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, offering a delicious twist on classic taco flavors in a hearty baked form.

• Author: Logan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 pound Ground Chicken
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning (or seasoning blend: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper)
• 15 oz can Beans (such as black beans or pinto beans), undrained
• 10 oz can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
• 1 cup (170g) Frozen Roasted Corn
• 1/2 cup Chicken Broth or Water
• 6 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas, cut into thin strips
• 4 oz Shredded Mexican Cheese (a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso quesadilla)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
2. Cook the Ground Chicken: Once the oil is hot, add the ground chicken. Cook for about 3-4 minutes undisturbed to brown one side, then break the meat apart and continue cooking until fully browned and cooked through.
3. Add Seasonings and Other Ingredients: Sprinkle the taco seasoning or your seasoning blend evenly over the cooked ground chicken. Stir well to incorporate. Then add the undrained can of beans, diced tomatoes and green chiles, frozen roasted corn, and chicken broth or water into the skillet.
4. Combine Tortilla Strips and Cheese: Mix all ingredients together gently to combine the flavors. Fold in the thin strips of corn tortillas until evenly distributed in the mixture. Top the entire mixture with the shredded Mexican cheese, spreading it evenly.
5. Bake the Casserole: Transfer the skillet or pour the mixture into a baking dish if your skillet is not ovenproof. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has melted and the tortilla edges are slightly browned and crispy.
6. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, salsa macha or your favorite hot sauce, sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt, and any other preferred toppings before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute the beans with black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans based on preference.
• For a homemade taco seasoning, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Use low-fat or reduced-fat cheese to make the dish lighter.
• If you prefer a spicier casserole, add jalapeños or hot sauce before baking.
• This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; just bake when ready to serve.

Keywords: ground chicken casserole, taco casserole, Mexican casserole, baked taco dish, easy dinner, weeknight meal