Fiesta Chicken Casserole Recipe
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a vibrant and hearty baked dish combining tender rotini pasta, seasoned cooked chicken, black beans, corn, and a creamy salsa-based sauce, all topped with melted cheese. This flavorful casserole is perfect for a family-friendly meal with a festive southwestern twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 packet mild taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Vegetables & Beans
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Protein & Cheese
- 2½ cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Optional Garnishes
- Sour cream
- Diced tomato
- Chopped cilantro
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon salt). Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it, so it retains some starch for better sauce adherence.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: While pasta cooks, in a large mixing bowl combine sour cream, salsa, mild taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until fully blended to create the creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Mix-Ins: Add the drained pasta into the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly. Then, fold in the drained corn, rinsed black beans, cooked shredded chicken, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix until evenly combined.
- Bake the Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and bubble slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish the casserole with sour cream, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices before serving. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Salting the pasta water is important for flavor.
- Do not rinse cooked pasta to help sauce stick better.
- Use cooked chicken that is shredded or chopped for best texture.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Feel free to customize toppings like adding jalapeños or hot sauce for more heat.
Keywords: Fiesta Chicken Casserole, rotini pasta casserole, Mexican chicken bake, taco seasoning casserole, easy chicken dinner
Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/fiesta-chicken-casserole-recipe/
