Mexican Shredded Chicken Casserole
This Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe is one of my family’s favorite meals. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, this is a winning dinner dish any night of the week.
Mexican Shredded Chicken Casserole
This Mexican Shredded Chicken is a family favorite dinner, one the whole family enjoy and I can safely say that we RARELY have leftovers!
I have also heard this recipe (or variations of it) referred to as Doritos Chicken or Rotel Chicken. My mom started making this for us when I was very young and I love that I now make this same recipe for my own kids.
My kids love this Cheesy Dorito Chicken Casserole and it’s a regular dinner in our house. In fact, now that my boys are all in or approaching the teenage years, I now have to DOUBLE this recipe, using a 9×13-inch sized pan. I can only imagine it’ll get worse the older they get!
This Mexican Chicken Casserole is made with shredded chicken, so it’s also a great way of using up leftover chicken from the weekend roast.
I am huge fan of any Quick and Easy Chicken Casserole. This is less about cooking, more of an assembly job. Prepared in 10 minutes, then a quick 40 minutes in the oven and dinner is ready.
How to make Cheesy Dorito Chicken Casserole:
Start by gathering together all of the ingredients, ready to start assembling.
Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
Next, spray a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Layer the Doritos into the bottom of the pan.
Layer the shredded chicken on top of the Doritos.
Add the soups, chopped tomatoes, spices and seasonings into a large bowl.
Next, chop up one onion and sauté the onion in a little oil until translucent
Add the cooked onion to the sauce and give everything a good stir to combine.
Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken.
Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for a further 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Serve immediately.
Easy Mexican Chicken ingredients & flavor variations:
- DORITOS I use a large bag of Doritos (a 10oz bag). You can use any flavor of Doritos, nacho cheese flavor for extra cheesy or hot chili flavor for extra spicy.
- COOKED CHICKEN I use 3 cooked chicken breasts which I then shred up. However, this is a great recipe for using up leftover roast chicken. Sometimes for ease I buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and use that too.
- SOUP 2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup and one can of Cream of Mushroom Soup form the base of the sauce. You could also use Cream of Celery soup.
- ROTEL chopped tomatoes work great in this Mexican Chicken Casserole. Choose the variety of Rotel that you most enjoy, use hot if you want a real hit of chili, opt for mild is you don’t want it to be too spicy.
- SEASONING I use chili powder and garlic powder but you can add in any seasoning that you enjoy. Use a taco seasoning blend for ease and speed as that would work too.
- CHEESE I add shredded cheese to the top of this Mexican Pulled Chicken dish, 5 minutes before the end of cooking. I like to use a sharp cheddar cheese as it adds great flavor, but add any variety of shredded cheese that you and your family enjoy eating.
Additional ingredients you may want to add to this Mexican Chicken Casserole:
This recipe is really versatile so here are some other ingredients that you can add or swap:
- Swap the chicken for some shredded turkey, pulled pork or cooked ground beef instead.
- Increase the heat and add some freshly chopped jalapenos to the sauce.
- Want to add extra veggies, no problem, try adding some chopped bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms or how about a tin of sweetcorn.
- Add some chopped cilantro or parsley for a fresh herb flavor.
Serving suggestion:
This is such a filling casserole that I keep any sides on the simple side. A fresh salad or some steamed green beans would be ideal.
I also like to serve my Sprite Biscuits which are great for mopping up any extra sauce.
Recipe tips:
- Get ahead earlier in the day and sauté the onion and prepare the sauce. Keep the sauce in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the dish.
- This recipe is easily doubled or trebled if you a feeding a crowd.
- A great get ahead tip is that I sometimes cook chicken in my slow cooker and freeze into portions. Ready to pull out and defrost any time I plan to make this casserole or indeed any other quick chicken dish.
Don’t miss these other delicious Mexican Inspired Recipes from When Is Dinner:
- Mexican Lasagna
- Mexican Zucchini Burrito Boats
- Taco Pasta Bake
- Sopapilla Cheesecake
- Beef & Bean Burritos
- Baked Tacos
- Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Fajita Pasta
Mexican Chicken
This Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe is one of my family's favorite meals. Easy to prepare and quick to cook, this is a winning dinner dish any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 Bag Doritos
- 3 Cooked Chicken Breasts shredded
- 2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 Can Rotel
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheese
Instructions
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 1804mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 32g
Many readers have emailed me asking about what brand of chicken I prefer to use. Over the years, we have lived in many states, so sometimes the brand changes according to what’s available locally. Currently, I prefer to order directly from Perdue Chicken. I bulk buy the value packs, because we eat chicken several times each week. the packages are portioned out and arrive in a box with dry ice. We live in Texas, and even in the summer we’ve never experienced a problem with the chicken not being cold. I immediately put what we’ll use in a few days into the refrigerator and the rest in the freezer. To thaw, a day or so before I plan to use a pack, I move it from the freezer to the fridge.
This works so well for us in this phase of life. Our children are ages 17+, one works a full time job, another lives away at college most of the year. This means that the number of people eating dinner here on any given night can vary, so the smaller portioned packages work great. If it’s just 2 of us, I use one package. For 3+ I use the appropriate amount. This prevents food waste so I save on the grocery bill AND I know I’m getting a quality product at an affordable price.
My family loved this recipe, will make again!
My mom made this with a rotisserie chicken or sometimes leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner! Instead of the chili powder and garlic powder, she used half a packet of taco seasoning. She also had extra optional toppings on the table including sour cream, green onions, and guacamole.
I haven’t tried it, but I think it would be ok.
Does this dish freeze well?
Fixed it for a group of teens. Served it with additional chips. They loved it.
Followed the recipient exactly. DELICIOUS. Whole family loved it.
This recipe is AMAZING, our family loved it. 10/10. THANK YOU!!!
Yes! I cook the chicken in the crock pot, when time allows. Otherwise I use a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat to use in the casserole 🙂
What do you use the Crock-Pot for? To cook the chicken breasts?
I have not tried to do this, so I’m not sure. I do have a recipe for Instant Pot Poached Chicken to cook the chicken & shred, this recipe only needs to bake about 35 minutes before adding cheese, I don’t think the Instant Pot would save much time.
How would you recommend i adjust this to make in an instant pot on pressure or slow cook setting? I will be using a rotisserie chicken, my oven is messed up so this is my only option
I am NOT a HUGE fan of Mexican. My husband is, but I believe this recipe would be a BIG hit for both of us.
Always on the look out for new recipes to make with chicken. This sounds like a good one that we all will like. Looks like a fairly easy recipe to make. I will have to make this for a dinner when I invite others over for supper.
Wow, this looks so good!! This is the type of recipe both myself and my kids love! I’ll definitely be making this very soon! Thanks for the recipe!!
It looks yummy!
My homemade southern fried chicken!!! I have NO recipe. I make it different every time!
My new favorite Chicken Recipe
chicken enchiladas off the kraft website…soooo good and easy
I love making cheesy chicken and rice! Just bake chicken with cheese on top, serve over rice! Super easy.
corn flakes chicken is yummy
that looks yummy and easy to eat
An unbelievably amazing recipe, we tried it and are making it again next week!
This is my favorite:
We will be eating more chicken now, this turned out so delicious.
I loved this recipe.
I have a good recipe for chicken kebobs. It has onions and mint on the skewers.
Yummy.. I love mexican food. I love making chicken enchiladas with lots of cheese and sauce.
Yum!
I love almost anything with a Mexican twist!
I reall like Fettechini Alfredo w chicken breast. OK, I probably didn’t spell that right.
My fave recipe calls for turkey breast but I guess you could also use chicken breast. Basically it’s just a wrap but it’s a favorite around here. I cut the meat in
strips, season, bread and pan-fry them. Warm up tortilla shells and place shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers and whatever veggies I prefer. Add your favorite dressing like ranch, ceaser or honey mustard. Top with a strip of meat, wrap it up and you have an all-in-one meal.
My favorite chicken recipe is chicken parmesan.
I don’t really have a chicken receipe I just like to cook and just cook what comes to mind.
chicken pot pie
My family & I love chicken tacos.
i don’t have a favorite chicken recipe, but my girls love my chicken with garlic, rosemary, and parmesan sauce over parmesan rice.
Weeknight Roast Chicken – It’s simple, it’s easy, and – best of all – it’s FAST.
I like chicken enchiladas
thanks for linking up to Friday Frenzy. You had the most clicks so I will be featuring your recipe this week. Hope it is ok if I use your pick.
thanks
This looks like something my kids would love!
This looks absolutely delicious! I will be making this for the kiddos sometime soon.