Southwest Chicken Casserole (2024)

This easy Southwest Chicken Casserole is the perfect flavor packed FAST dinner idea! With chicken, black beans, corn, melty cheese, and tortillas stacked lasagna-style, this flavorful Southwest-inspired bake cooks up bubbling and perfect.

When I’m planning my weekly dinner menu, this Southwest Chicken Casserole is always at the top of my mind. It’s fast, easy, and hearty – the perfect weeknight dinner. Plus, my whole family loves it!

I’ll often bake a rotisserie chicken or Southwest grilled chicken for dinner earlier in the week, then make this cheesy Southwest Chicken Casserole with the leftover chicken a couple of days later. Love it!

Not only is this casserole easy and the perfect use for chicken leftovers, it’s also just plain delicious! We’ve got shredded chicken, corn, and black beans tossed in red enchilada sauce then layered with corn tortillas and loaded up with gooey melty cheddar cheese.

My family loves to load on the toppings, too – sour cream, pico de gallo, green onions, and more.

Why I LOVE this recipe!

• SO easy – This baked Southwest Chicken Casserole takes only 10 minutes to assemble. Just open some cans, shred some chicken, build your layers, and bake!
• Family-friendly – Southwest flavors are always a hit, and this casserole has ALL the flavor.
• Dinnertime staple – This Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Casserole is a forever-file type of dinner recipe. You’ll want to keep it on rotation all year long!

Ingredients + Substitutions

• Chicken – Shredded cooked chicken, either from leftovers (this chicken breast recipe is excellent!) or, to make it super easy, you can pull it from a rotisserie chicken.
  
• Black beans – Homemade black beans or one can, drained and rinsed.
  
• Corn – About 1 1/2 cups of corn kernels, or one can (drain it first).
  
• Green chiles – You’ll find these in cans in the Hispanic section of your local grocery store. They’re very mild but add a great punch of Southwest flavor.
  
• Red enchilada sauce – One extra large can of your favorite brand of enchilada sauce.
  
• Cheddar cheese – I especially like sharp cheddar in this casserole because of the punch of flavor, but mild or medium will work too if that’s your preference.
  
• Corn tortillas – You’ll want 8 standard-size corn tortillas. You can use smaller street-taco size tortillas, but you’ll need more of them to make full layers.
  
• Cilantro, green onions, sour cream, and pico de gallo – Optional but recommended toppings.

Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

• Southwest Chicken Pasta Casserole– Stir 3 cups cooked pasta in with the shredded chicken mixture instead of using tortillas, then proceed with the recipe as written.
  
• Creamy Southwest Chicken Casserole– Add a can of cream of chicken soup and/or couple of generous spoonfuls of sour cream to the chicken mixture.
  
• Southwest Chicken and Rice Casserole– Omit the tortillas, and instead, add 1 cup quick-cooking rice to the chicken along with 2 cups chicken broth, then cook as directed.

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Southwest Chicken Casserole.

Mix together the chicken, black beans, corn, green chiles, and half the enchilada sauce in a bowl and set aside. Pour half the remaining sauce in the dish and spread evenly.

Layer half of the tortillas over the enchilada sauce. Cut some of the tortillas in half to help create a full layer.

Add half of the chicken mixture over the top of the tortillas.

Top with half the cheese, then layer the remaining tortillas over the chicken mixture.

Add the rest of the chicken mixture and top with the remaining cheese.

Drizzle with remaining enchilada sauce and bake until the edges are bubbling, the cheese is melted, and the casserole is hot throughout.

Recipe Tips

1. Use a 9″x9″ or larger pan – The casserole should be made in a 9-inch square or bigger pan as it will be too much for an 8″x8″.
   
2. Stir together the filling – The added step of stirring together the chicken, corn, beans, chiles, and some of the enchilada sauce helps ensure all of the ingredients and flavors are distributed evenly. Plus, it makes assembly a cinch!
   
3. Cut your tortillas if needed – Cut them in half or trim them as needed for even, fully-covered layers.
   
4. Broil it at the end – If you’d like a bit of golden color on the top of your casserole, turn on your oven’s broiler and broil for just a minute or two (watch it closely!) after baking.
   
5. Garnish it – Top Southwest Chicken Casserole with a bit of chopped cilantro before serving for a bit of added color and flavor.

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this Southwest Chicken Casserole recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 1 month.

To freeze before cooking

1. Assemble your Southwest Chicken Casserole in a freezer-safe dish.
2. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and transfer to the freezer. Freeze for up to a month.
3. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

How to Freeze Southwest Chicken Casserole After Cooking

1. Let the casserole cool to room temperature.
2. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.
3. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm the casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through or warm individual portions in the microwave.

What to Serve with Southwest Chicken Casserole

Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Southwest cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Southwest or Mexican side dishes.

Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Side Dish Ideas

• Rice is the perfect side for this casserole! Try Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.
• Mexican Corn Salad or Mexican Roasted Vegetables make a great veggie side dish.
• Easy Mexican Cornbread is always welcome!
• , Homemade Pico de Gallo, or Guacamole make delicious homemade toppings.

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