Ground Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Chicken Taco Casserole is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that combines seasoned ground chicken, beans, and tortillas in a cheesy baked dish. It’s a comforting meal that brings taco night to your table with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or seasoning blend in notes below)
• 15 oz can beans*
• 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 through.
3. Step 3: Add the taco seasoning or spice blend to the cooked ground chicken. Stir until evenly incorporated, then add the can of beans (undrained), diced tomatoes and green chiles, frozen corn, and chicken broth or water.
4. Step 4: Stir everything together gently, then fold in the tortilla strips and top the mixture with shredded cheese.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are lightly browned around the edges.
6. Step 6: Garnish with chopped cilantro, salsa macha or hot sauce, sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt, or your favorite toppings before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use black beans, pinto beans, or your preferred bean variety for different flavors.
• Substitute ground turkey or beef if you prefer over chicken.
• Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for extra heat.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with extra beans and add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350ºF until heated through or microwave until steaming hot. This casserole does not freeze well due to the tortillas.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade taco seasoning instead of a packet?

Yes, homemade taco seasoning works great. A mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper will give you great flavor.

What type of cheese works best for this casserole?

Shredded Mexican cheese blend is ideal as it melts well and adds authentic flavor. You can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a combination.

Ground Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 98 reviews

This Ground Chicken Taco Casserole is a quick and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Ground chicken is seasoned with taco spices and combined with beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, roasted corn, and tender corn tortilla strips, topped with melted Mexican cheese. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole offers a comforting Tex-Mex twist that’s both hearty and satisfying.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein & Vegetables

• 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 pound Ground Chicken
• 15 oz can Beans (such as black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed if preferred)
• 10 oz can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
• 1 cup (170g) Frozen Roasted Corn

Liquids & Seasonings

• 1 packet Taco Seasoning (or use homemade seasoning blend: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper)
• 1/2 cup Chicken Broth or Water

Carbohydrates & Dairy

• 6 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas, cut into thin strips
• 4 oz Shredded Mexican Cheese blend (such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a pre-shredded Mexican blend)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare skillet: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
2. Cook ground chicken: Add the ground chicken to the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring to brown one side, then break apart and continue cooking until fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes total.
3. Add seasoning and mix: Sprinkle the taco seasoning or your homemade spice blend over the cooked chicken, stirring well to evenly coat the meat. Then add the entire can of beans (undrained), diced tomatoes with green chiles, frozen roasted corn, and chicken broth or water. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
4. Incorporate tortillas and top: Gently fold in the corn tortilla strips to the mixture in the skillet, making sure they are evenly distributed. Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet or transfer to a casserole dish, then sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly on top.
5. Bake the casserole: Place the skillet or casserole dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortilla strips around the edges begin to brown slightly, indicating a crispy texture.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with salsa macha or hot sauce, sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt, and any other preferred toppings to enhance flavor and presentation.

Notes

• The taco seasoning packet can be substituted with a homemade blend for a lower sodium or customized flavor.
• Use low-fat shredded cheese to reduce fat content if desired.
• Beans can be rinsed before adding if you prefer a less saucy casserole.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
• For added heat, incorporate jalapenos or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into the mixture before baking.

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