Description
A baked Mexican-inspired casserole combining seasoned chicken, crispy tortilla chips, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings for a hearty, weeknight-ready meal with bold flavor.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken breasts
12 oz thick-cut tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
1 medium red onion
2 tbsp taco seasoning blend
1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F with a rack in the top third.
Dice chicken into 1-inch cubes; chop red onion.
Place tortilla chips in a food processor and pulse to form crumbs.
Spread chip crumbs evenly in an 8×8-inch baking dish; drizzle with ½ cup tomato sauce.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and taco seasoning, sautéing until browned (5-7 minutes). Stir in chopped onion during the final 3 minutes.
Layer cooked chicken over the chip base, followed by black beans and remaining ½ cup tomato sauce.
Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for 3-5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Cool slightly before slicing into 8 portions.
Notes
Use halal chicken or substitute ground beef for a similar texture.
Tortilla rice cakes work as a gluten-free alternative.
For a fresher option, reserve a cup of raw tomatoes and cilantro to mix into final layers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg