Cheesy, creamy, crunchy and zesty -- this Doritos Chicken Casserole is an easy dinner recipe that's ready for the oven in just 10 minutes! With layers of Nacho cheese tortilla chips, tender diced chicken, juicy tomatoes and a flavorful sour cream sauce, it's the best Mexican chicken casserole yet.
While one child loves just about any casserole I prepare (this is his absolute favorite), the other two boys are quite choosy. One thing is always guaranteed, though: if the dish involves Doritos, it's a winner every time. This easy Doritos Chicken Casserole is one of those great dinner recipes that makes everyone at the table happy!
How to make Doritos Chicken Casserole:
With help from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftovers from another meal, this simple and hearty Rotel Mexican chicken casserole comes together in about 10 minutes!
Ingredients for Easy Dorito Casserole:
- Cooked, diced chicken
- Can of condensed cheddar cheese soup
- Can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel or Red Gold brand)
- Sour cream
- Taco seasoning
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Doritos Nacho Cheese flavored tortilla chips
Step 1: Layer Doritos in Baking Dish
First, spread half of the crushed Doritos in the bottom of an 8-inch or 9-inch square dish.
Step 2: Stir together the Chicken Casserole Filling
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cheddar cheese soup, diced tomatoes and green chilies, sour cream and taco seasoning.
Spread the chicken mixture on top of the crushed Doritos in the dish.
Step 3: Add Cheese on Top
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over top of the chicken filling, and then cover the dish.
Step 4: Bake the Doritos Casserole with Rotel
Bake the casserole covered in a 350 degree 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 bubbly, the cheese is melted, and the chips on top are toasted and crunchy.
What to serve with Doritos Chicken Casserole:
The best Mexican chicken casserole needs the best Mexican-inspired sides! Here are a few easy options that go well with the flavorful chicken casserole:
- Refried beans
- Fiesta corn or Mexicorn
- Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso
- Easy Pico de Gallo
- Mexican Rice
- Simple green salad
Preparation and Storage Tips:
- This is a great make-ahead dinner. You can assemble the easy Dorito casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Before baking, allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- You can freeze the casserole before baking. Wrapped tightly, the assembled casserole will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Leftover Doritos Chicken Casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat the casserole: If reheating an entire casserole, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a 350 degree F oven until warmed through (about 20-30 minutes). Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:
- I typically use a rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken from a previous meal, or store-bought cooked chicken (like Tyson Grilled and Ready) for a shortcut. If you prefer, you can cook your own chicken breast to use in this recipe. You'll need about 2 lbs. of raw boneless skinless chicken breasts to equal 4 cups of cooked, diced chicken. Boil the chicken until cooked through (about 15-18 minutes). When cool enough to handle, shred with two forks or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- You can substitute with Cool Ranch Doritos for another flavorful chicken casserole recipe.
- While this dish is not spicy, the diced tomatoes with green chilies do have a little bit of "kick." If you prefer a mild casserole, substitute with a can of regular petite-diced tomatoes.
- Crockpot Doritos Chicken Casserole: I prefer the oven method 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).
- 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.
More Doritos recipes that your family will love:
Doritos Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked, diced chicken
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup (NOT diluted)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (such as Rotel or Red Gold brand), drained
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 (9.75 oz) bag Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread half of the crushed chips in the bottom of an 8-inch or 9-inch square or 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, stir together chicken, condensed soup, tomatoes and green chilies, sour cream and taco seasoning. Spread the chicken mixture on top of the chips in the dish. Sprinkle with cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the cover, sprinkle remaining crushed Doritos over top, and return to the oven (uncovered) for 5-7 more minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Notes
- I typically use a rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken from a previous meal, or store-bought cooked chicken (like Tyson Grilled and Ready) for a shortcut. If you prefer, you can cook your own chicken breast to use in this recipe. You'll need about 2 lbs. of raw boneless skinless chicken breasts to equal 4 cups of cooked, diced chicken. Boil the chicken until cooked through (about 15-18 minutes). When cool enough to handle, shred with two forks or dice into bite-sized pieces.
- We like the Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos with the taco seasoning in this dish, but you can substitute with Cool Ranch Doritos for another flavorful chicken casserole recipe.
- While this dish is not spicy, the diced tomatoes with green chilies do have a little bit of "kick." If you prefer a mild casserole, substitute with a can of regular petite-diced tomatoes.
- Crockpot Doritos Chicken Casserole: I prefer the oven method 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).
- 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.
Andrea
This was delicious! Thank you!
Blair
Thanks, Andrea! So glad that you enjoyed it. 🙂
jean
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
Blair
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. 🙂