If you’re searching for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that brings all the best Tex-Mex flavors together in one bubbling dish, look no further than this Chicken Burrito Casserole. It’s the ultimate comfort food: creamy, cheesy, and packed with chicken, beans, rice, and just the right amount of spice. Best of all, it’s weeknight-friendly, customizable, and guaranteed to have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this recipe is how it turns basic pantry staples into a vibrant, flavor-packed meal. Each ingredient plays a key role, whether it’s adding creaminess, a pop of color, or a punch of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Cooked, shredded chicken breast (3 cups): Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, offering juicy, tender bites with zero extra prep.
- Cooked rice (2 cups, white or brown): Rice bulks up the casserole and soaks up all the delicious flavors.
- Black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed): These add creamy texture, fiber, and heartiness.
- Corn kernels (1 cup, frozen or canned): Corn brings a juicy pop of sweetness and color.
- Salsa (1 cup, mild or spicy): Choose your heat level; salsa ties everything together with tang and a little zing.
- Taco seasoning (1 packet): This is your shortcut to deep, smoky flavor throughout the casserole.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): Lends creaminess and a subtle tang to balance the spice.
- Shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend (1 1/2 cups): For that irresistible gooey, melty topping and layers.
- Flour tortillas (6, cut into strips): They create lovely layers that mimic burrito wraps and hold everything together.
- Chopped green onions (1/4 cup): The perfect fresh, zesty finishing touch.
- Optional toppings: avocado, jalapeños, chopped cilantro, extra sour cream: Customize your casserole with these fun, flavorful add-ons for even more flair.
How to Make Chicken Burrito Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and hot when your casserole goes in. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent any sticking and make serving (and cleanup) a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
Grab a large bowl and combine your shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, corn, salsa, taco seasoning, and sour cream. Give it a good stir until everything is evenly coated and the colors are beautifully mixed together. This step is where the magic happens—the flavors start mingling and getting ready for that big bake.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
Scatter half of your tortilla strips across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the chicken mixture on top and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle with half of the cheese for the first hit of meltiness. Repeat this layering with the remaining tortilla strips, the rest of the chicken mixture, and finish with the remaining cheese on top. Every layer is a bite of flavor!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the casserole loosely with foil—this helps everything heat through without over-browning the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and let it bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and irresistibly bubbly.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Let your Chicken Burrito Casserole cool for a few minutes before adding the chopped green onions and any of your favorite toppings. This short rest helps set the layers, so you get perfect slices every time. Serve warm and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Chicken Burrito Casserole
Garnishes
A big part of the fun is piling on the toppings! Try creamy avocado slices, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, tangy pickled or fresh jalapeños, or a dollop of extra sour cream. Each garnish adds new texture and bursts of flavor, making every bite memorable.
Side Dishes
While this Chicken Burrito Casserole is a meal on its own, pairing it with a simple side salad, crunchy tortilla chips, or a bowl of zesty coleslaw rounds things out perfectly. For a lighter touch, a citrusy cucumber salad or roasted veggies are wonderful, too.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with presentation! Serve the casserole in individual ramekins for a dinner party, or set up a mini toppings bar so everyone can customize their plate. Leftovers also make delicious burrito wraps or even breakfast hash with a fried egg on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken Burrito Casserole is one of life’s great joys. Let the casserole cool completely, then transfer slices to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it perfect for easy lunches or busy weeknights.
Freezing
This casserole freezes like a dream. Assemble it up to the point of baking, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot, or pop the whole casserole (covered) in a 350°F oven until warmed through. If you want the cheese extra melty, uncover for the last few minutes.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this Chicken Burrito Casserole?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver, and it adds plenty of flavor and moisture to the casserole. Just shred or chop and you’re ready to go.
Is there a way to make this casserole lighter?
Yes, you can swap out regular rice for cauliflower rice, use light sour cream, and reduce the amount of cheese if you prefer. The casserole will still be creamy and satisfying, but with fewer calories.
Can I make Chicken Burrito Casserole ahead of time?
Definitely. You can assemble the entire casserole up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This makes it a fantastic option for meal prepping or busy schedules.
What can I substitute for black beans?
If you’re not a fan of black beans, pinto beans or kidney beans work great too. You can even leave them out entirely and bulk up the casserole with more veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
How do I prevent the casserole from getting soggy?
Be sure to drain your beans and corn well, and avoid using extra watery salsa. Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking also helps the layers set and keeps everything just the right texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a dish that brings people together, and this Chicken Burrito Casserole does just that—deliciously and effortlessly. Whether you’re feeding a family or sharing with friends, you’ll love how customizable, comforting, and downright crave-worthy this recipe is. Give it a try and watch it become a regular at your table!
Print
Chicken Burrito Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chicken Burrito Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. It layers tender shredded chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and salsa with cheesy tortillas baked to bubbly perfection. Topped with green onions and optional fresh toppings, it offers a flavorful twist on classic burritos in a comforting casserole form.
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
- 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping & Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- 6 flour tortillas, cut into strips
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Optional toppings: avocado, jalapeños, chopped cilantro, extra sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, corn, salsa, taco seasoning, and sour cream. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated and blended.
- Layer First Half: Spread half of the tortilla strips across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese.
- Layer Second Half: Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortilla strips, chicken mixture, and finish with the rest of the cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before garnishing with chopped green onions and any optional toppings such as avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, or extra sour cream. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time on preparation.
- Substitute rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter or gluten-free version.
- This casserole is great for leftovers and can be portioned for easy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
