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With layers of Nacho cheese tortilla chips, tender diced chicken, juicy Rotel tomatoes, and a flavorful sour cream sauce, this Dorito chicken casserole is ready for the oven in just 10 minutes!

Square overhead image of a serving spoon in a pan of Dorito chicken bake casserole.

If you love Doritos, don’t miss this Dorito taco salad, a Cool Ranch Dorito chicken casserole, and this ground beef Dorito taco casserole, too!

I’ve made this 3 or 4 times now. It’s so good. Going to try it with cool ranch Doritos tonight.

– Dana

While one child loves just about any casserole I prepare (this is his absolute favorite), the other two kids can be more selective. One thing is always guaranteed, though: if the dish involves Doritos, it’s a winner every time. This easy chicken Dorito casserole is one of those great dinner recipes that makes the whole family happy!

It’s another dump-and-bake winner that your family is going to devour…and who doesn’t love that?! I originally made a ground beef Dorito casserole (using a packet taco seasoning) that y’all continue to rave about. I figured that a chicken version would be equally delicious, and this creamy, crunchy, flavorful meal was born. Best of all, if you use a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken from another meal, or pre-cooked chicken from the store (such as Tyson Grilled & Ready strips), the entire dinner comes together in about 10 minutes!

Horizontal side shot of a fork in a bowl of Dorito Mexican chicken casserole.

A Few Tips Before You Get Started

  • You’ll need 4 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for great flavor and quick-prep, but you can boil your own chicken at home, if you prefer. To do so, boil about 2 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs until cooked through (about 10-15 minutes). When cool enough to handle, chop or pull the chicken.
  • Use a packet of store-bought taco seasoning mix or use your favorite homemade taco seasoning blend instead.
  • A small bag of Nacho cheese flavored Doritos tortilla chips will do the trick — no need for exact measurements!
  • While this dish is not spicy, the diced tomatoes with green chiles do have a little bit of “kick.” If you prefer a mild casserole, substitute with a can of regular petite-diced tomatoes.

How to Make a Mexican Chicken Casserole with Doritos

With help from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftovers from another meal, this simple and hearty Dorito Mexican chicken casserole comes together in about 10 minutes! You’ll find detailed instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:

  1. Layer Doritos in Baking Dish. Spread half of the crushed Dorito chips in the bottom of an 8-inch or 9-inch square dish (or other similar 2-quart dish).
  2. Stir Together the Chicken Casserole Filling. In a large mixing bowl, use a wooden spoon to combine the chicken, condensed soup, diced tomatoes and green chilies, corn, sour cream, and taco seasoning.
  3. Spread the chicken mixture on top of the crushed Doritos in an even layer.
  4. Add Cheese on Top. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top of the chicken filling, and then cover the dish.
  5. Bake the Casserole. Bake covered in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the cover, sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over the top, and return the dish to the oven (uncovered) for about 5-7 more minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the filling is hot and bubbling, the cheese is melted, and the chips on top are toasted and crunchy.
Fork in a bowl of Dorito chicken Mexican casserole with toppings.

What to Serve with Chicken Dorito Casserole

The best Doritos chicken casserole needs the best Mexican-inspired sides! Pair the easy dinner recipe with ranch-style beans, Jiffy Mexican cornbread, easy pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, or a simple green salad with creamy buttermilk dressing.

Horizontal overhead shot of hands serving a chicken Dorito casserole.

Preparation and Storage Tips

  • Make Ahead: This Dorito chicken casserole recipe is a great make-ahead dinner. You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. The bottom chips will get a little bit soggy as it sits, but they still taste great! When ready to bake, allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes before it goes into the oven.
  • How to Store: Leftover casserole will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing these leftovers. Creamy sauces have a tendency to “break” or separate when thawed from the freezer, giving the dish an undesirable texture.
  • How to Reheat: If reheating an entire casserole, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 15-20 minutes). Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Overhead shot of a serving spoon in a white dish full of Doritos cheesy chicken casserole.

Did you make this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

Square overhead image of a serving spoon in a pan of Dorito chicken bake casserole.

Dorito Chicken Bake Casserole

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 485.4 kcal
Cheesy, creamy, crunchy, and zesty — this Mexican chicken casserole is an easy dinner that's ready for the oven in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cooked, diced chicken
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (or sub with a can of condensed cheddar cheese soup)
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained (such as Ro-Tel or Red Gold brand)
  • 1 (8.75 ounce) can corn, drained
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese, Colby Jack cheese, cheddar Jack cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 (9.25 ounce) bag Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos tortilla chips, coarsely crushed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread half of the crushed chips in the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish.
    Placing Doritos in the bottom of a baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, condensed soup, tomatoes and green chilies, corn, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Spread the chicken mixture on top of the chips in the dish.
    Process shot showing how to make a Dorito chicken bake casserole.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over top. Cover the dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
    Adding cheese to the top of a chicken Dorito casserole.
  • Remove the cover, sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos over top, and return the dish to the oven (uncovered) for 5-7 more minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
    Square overhead shot of Dorito chicken casserole in a white dish.

Notes

Crock Pot Method: I prefer the oven for a crispy topping, but you can also layer the ingredients in your slow cooker if that’s easier. You will need to cook the casserole on LOW for about 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1-2 hours, just until everything is heated through and bubbly. Add the final Doritos on top just before serving (you don’t want to add them too soon or they’ll get soggy).

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of the casseroleCalories: 485.4kcalCarbohydrates: 36.1gProtein: 30.3gFat: 24.4gSaturated Fat: 8.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.6gCholesterol: 78.2mgSodium: 1276.9mgPotassium: 261.8mgFiber: 2.9gSugar: 3.4g
Keyword: Dorito Chicken Casserole, Doritos Chicken Casserole, Easy Dorito Casserole, Rotel Mexican Chicken Casserole
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Dorito Chicken Casserole Recipe Variations

  • Swap out the nacho cheese Doritos and use Cool Ranch Doritos instead.
  • Add extra veggies like frozen peas, frozen mixed vegetables, sauteed onion, or parboiled broccoli or green beans. Black beans would also be a great addition!
  • Stir some additional herbs or other seasonings into the sauce. Try dried or fresh parsley, thyme, or cilantro, or a dash of garlic powder.
  • Just about any cheese will work in this dish. Instead of shredded cheddar cheese, try Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Colby, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
  • Instead of the cream of chicken soup, try a different flavor of condensed soup (such as cream of mushroom soup or cheddar cheese soup).
  • Tortilla Chips Casserole: Skip the Doritos and use plain tortilla chips of your choice. It will still be delicious!
  • Chicken Dorito Pie Recipe: Instead of baking the casserole in a square dish, use a round 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.
  • Cooking for just 2? Cut all of the ingredients in half and bake in a 1-quart casserole dish.
Square overhead image of a bowl of Dorito chicken bake casserole with toppings.

More Mexican Chicken Casseroles to Try

This recipe was originally published in July, 2020. It was updated in November, 2024.

Square shot of Blair Lonergan from the food blog The Seasoned Mom serving a pie at a table outside.

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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Comments

  1. Andrea says:

    This was delicious! Thank you!

    1. Blair says:

      Thanks, Andrea! So glad that you enjoyed it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. jean says:

      5 stars
      you have suggested other times to maybe use canned chicken would that be any good here or would it be toodry. just looking to use uo things in pantry.thanks

      1. Blair says:

        Hi, Jean! Canned chicken definitely has a different flavor and texture than the fresh meat; however, if you don’t mind that quality in the canned meat, it should work well in this dish. Totally a matter of personal preference! Hope you enjoy. ๐Ÿ™‚

        1. Beau says:

          5 stars
          This is a fun meal but I would never suggest canned meat for any recipe. Take the little extra time and cook it yourself. Appreciate the small things.

  2. Marion says:

    Good morning, Blair! I bet this is absolutely delicious as it but I was wondering about substitutions for the 4 cups of cooked chicken. Handling chicken(messy) and budget (inflation yipe) still make me pause. I was thinking of substituting some black beans and some cooked ground meat. Would that work? Maybe a can of beans, drained, and 1/2 to 1 pound meat. Would that work or would I need another can of beans to make up enough solids. Thanks so much. Take care!

    1. Blair Lonergan says:

      Hi, Marion! Yes, I think 1 lb. of ground beef (or other ground meat) paired with 1 can of beans would be a good substitute for the chicken. Let me know if you give it a try!

  3. Dana says:

    5 stars
    I’ve made this 3 or 4 times now. It’s so good. Going to try it with cool ranch doritos tonight :]

    1. The Seasoned Mom says:

      Yum! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Dana!

  4. Vicky B. says:

    5 stars
    Our family loves this recipe. In fact tomorrow is my son-in-law’s birthday and he requested this dish for his birthday dinner!!

    1. The Seasoned Mom says:

      This made our day, Vicky! We’re so glad. Happy birthday to your son-in-law!