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Fiesta Chicken Casserole Recipe

4.4 from 78 reviews

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a flavorful and easy-to-make baked dish combining rotini pasta, tender chicken, corn, black beans, and a creamy, salsa-infused sour cream sauce, all topped with melted cheese. It’s perfect for a family dinner or potluck, delivering a comforting mix of Tex-Mex flavors with minimal prep time.

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

Main Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend works well)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare dish: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon salt), and cook the rotini pasta to al dente following package instructions. Drain but do not rinse to retain starch and ensure better sauce coating.
  3. Mix sauce: In a large bowl, combine sour cream, salsa, taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder until fully blended.
  4. Combine ingredients: Add the drained pasta directly into the sour cream mixture. Stir to combine, then fold in the drained corn, rinsed black beans, cooked chicken, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Mix everything evenly.
  5. Assemble casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
  6. Bake covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
  7. Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese on top to brown slightly and become bubbly.
  8. Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with additional sour cream, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado before serving. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Notes

  • Be sure to salt the pasta water to enhance flavor.
  • Do not rinse the pasta after cooking to keep sauce adhesion better.
  • Use mild taco seasoning for a gentle flavor; adjust to spicy if desired.
  • The casserole can be garnished with fresh ingredients like cilantro and avocado for added freshness.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Fiesta Chicken Casserole, Mexican casserole, baked chicken pasta, Tex-Mex pasta bake, easy casserole, dinner recipe