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    Home » Recipes » Chicken » Easy Taco Chicken Casserole

    Published: Jul 15, 2021 · Modified: Sep 4, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Easy Taco Chicken Casserole

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Easy Taco Chicken Casserole or Mexican Style Baked Chicken was my first ever blog post from several years ago. It is still a favorite in our household and worth update and the reshare! For anyone that may be new around here, this recipe is easy to make, doesn't require a lot of dishes, and is filling.

    close up of taco casserole plated on blue plate and garnished with jalapenos, lime, and cilantro

    The sauce that covers the chicken is lightened up by using half Chobani Greek yogurt (I use whole milk Greek yogurt, but whatever your household buys would work fine!) instead of straight mayo for the sauce (not saying it's completely light-- it is covered in cheese after all!). The spiciness level can be adjusted based on personal preferences-- just add more or less hot sauce (I suggest Cholula!) and chili powder.

    I first discovered a version of this recipe in college-- in the cafeteria. I know that doesn't sound like the most appetizing place to have found a favorite meal, but I promise that it's worth a try. It was me and my roommates' favorite dish that they served! I knew I had to recreate it.

    Ingredients

    • mayonnaise
    • plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
    • lemon
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • cumin
    • hot sauce, I use Cholula
    • chili powder (to taste)
    • shredded Jack cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
    • crushed tortilla chips
    • boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    NOTE: If you want, you can omit the 3 spices (garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin) and sub in 3 teaspoons of taco seasoning instead.

    taco chicken casserole prep 2
    taco chicken casserole prep 2
    taco chicken casserole prep 3
    taco chicken casserole prep 3
    taco chicken casserole prep
    taco chicken casserole prep

    Instructions for Easy Chicken Taco Casserole

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    • In a small bowl mix together mayo, yogurt, spices, hot sauce, and the juice of one lemon.
    mexican chicken sauce ingredients in a green bowl
    • Slice chicken breasts to be thin cut so they cook quickly and evenly, and place pieces on the bottoms of a glass casserole dish.
    • Cover the chicken with sauce.
    • Crush up tortilla chips with hands and sprinkle over the chicken and sauce. Top with cheese.
    • Cook for 22-25 minutes, depending the thickness of your chicken.

    Toppings for Taco Chicken Casserole

    Although we generally enjoy this as is, it can be fun to add toppings to this chicken dish once it comes out of the oven. Think anything you would put on top of a taco!

    sliced jalapenos, chopped lettuce, and cilantro in three small white bowls with a whole avocado on the side
    • black beans
    • green onions
    • cilantro
    • jalapeno
    • salsa
    • avocado
    • diced tomatoes
    • lettuce

    Can you cook rice into this chicken taco casserole?

    We are saucy people in our household and this recipe produces enough sauce to pour a little extra over rice on side. Speaking of rice, that is definitely the way to go when serving this! It's an easy accompaniment that fits perfectly with the style of this dish. Think of it as your mother's chicken and rice casserole with a kick.

    two chicken breasts from taco casserole plated on blue plates and garnished with jalapenos, lime, and cilantro

    I like keeping the rice on the side, as it allows the dish to cook faster and for the sauce to not all be soaked up in the rice cooking process. If you would prefer to have this all in the casserole together, I suggest using cooked rice. This way the cooking time doesn't change. To alter: Mix cooked rice in with the prepared sauce. Place on top of chicken in the baking dish. Crumble tortilla chips and shredded cheese over top and bake.

    What to serve on the side with this casserole?

    We love to serve it with peas! They are so easy to grab out of the freezer and reheat on the stove or the microwave.

    What makes this an easy weeknight meal?

    This Mexican Style Baked Chicken is a great weeknight meal for when you don't have a lot of time or energy to be doing loads of chopping. Although I know a lot of us love being in the kitchen and making a full on feast, sometimes that just isn't happening! Recipes like this are good to have in your back pocket for such occasions. As long as you have chicken breasts thawed and ready, the actual prep work this dish requires amounts to less than 5 minutes.

    Can this recipe be made keto?

    Sure can. Just omit the tortilla chips and it becomes a super easy and delicious keto (and gluten free!) dinner. Serve with cauliflower rice if you would like!

    taco casserole plated on blue plate and garnished with jalapenos, lime, and cilantro

    Interested in more delicious chicken recipes? Check these out!

    • broccoli stuffed chicken featured
      Broccoli Stuffed Chicken with Pesto
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      Shallot Sauce for Chicken
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      Giada Chicken Piccata Recipe
    • finished red enchiladas with cilantro on top.
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    taco chicken casserole plated featured

    Easy Taco Chicken Casserole

    Sarah Baumeister
    Easy Taco Chicken Casserole features chicken breasts in a spicy, creamy sauce and topped with crispy tortilla chips and cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course dinner
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 556 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cholula Hot Sauce Flavors, Tips and Recipes - Uncap Real Flavor | Original
    • Salted Corn Chips | Xochitl Corn Tortilla Chips
    • Plain Greek Yogurt | Whole Milk Plain Large-size tub

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup Greek Yogurt
    • 1 lemon
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 1 tsp. cumin
    • chili powder to taste (I like it spicy and use 2 tsp.)
    • 2 tbsp. hot sauce I use Cholula
    • 1 cup shredded Jack cheese
    • ¾ cup crushed tortilla chips
    • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
    • In a small bowl mix together mayo, yogurt, spices, hot sauce, and the juice of one lemon.
    • Slice chicken breasts to be thin cut so they cook quickly and evenly, and place pieces on the bottoms of a glass baking dish.
    • Cover the chicken with sauce.
    • Crush up tortilla chips with hands and sprinkle over the chicken and sauce.
    • Top with cheese.
    • Cook for 22-25 minutes, depending the thickness of your chicken. 

    Notes

    If you want, you can omit the onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin and instead at 3 tsp. of taco seasoning.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 556kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 46gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 710mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Donna says

      January 01, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      This looks so yummy!

      Reply
    2. Karen says

      January 03, 2019 at 3:44 am

      I can’t wait to try this out.

      Reply
    3. Elyse Puckett says

      January 06, 2019 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for the wonderful recipe- it was delicious!

      Reply
    4. Teresa Smith says

      January 08, 2019 at 3:53 pm

      I’m excited to make this tonight!

      Reply
    5. Margaret Johnson says

      July 14, 2021 at 5:42 pm

      Looks yummy! I’m trying with boneless chic thighs (we prefer in lieu of breasts).

      Reply
    6. Michelle says

      July 15, 2021 at 12:45 am

      I made this last night and it was so easy to put together and absolutely delicious! Will keep this recipe on hand to make again soon!

      Reply
      • Sarah Baumeister says

        July 15, 2021 at 1:27 am

        That sounds perfect. I love using chicken thighs, they always stay moist.

        Reply
    7. Lima Ekram says

      July 15, 2021 at 1:23 am

      I just made it and it was incredible. Really quick and easy and all the exploding flavors of mexican food!

      Reply
      • Sarah Baumeister says

        July 15, 2021 at 1:27 am

        I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed!

        Reply
    8. Denay DeGuzman says

      July 15, 2021 at 3:18 am

      Just added this delicious baked chicken recipe to our monthly meal plan. I love how easy it is to make! From the images and recipe card, I can almost taste and smell this yummy Mexican meal.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I could stand and am excited to share my love for being in the kitchen with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, we love it all!

    Learn more about me →

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