This dump-and-bake chicken taco casserole skips the mess of traditional taco night and delivers all the same bold, cheesy flavor in one easy dish. Layer everything into a 9×13 pan, pop it in the oven, and dinner is on the table in under an hour with barely 10 minutes of hands-on prep.
More easy taco night dinners
Before You Get Started
A few tips that make a real difference with this one:
- Drain the tomatoes well. This is the main thing that prevents a soggy casserole. Press the diced tomatoes in a fine-mesh strainer or pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them on top.
- Crush the chips coarsely. You want rough pieces, not fine crumbs. Coarser chips hold their texture better during baking and give each bite more substance.
- Raw or cooked chicken both work. The recipe is written for raw diced chicken breast, which cooks through completely in the oven. If you’re using rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken, see the timing adjustment in Step 4.
How to Make Chicken Taco Casserole
You’ll find full ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Here’s what to expect at each step.
Step 1: Prep the Dish and Crush the Chips
Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place the tortilla chips in a zip-top bag and crush them into coarse, uneven pieces using your hands or a rolling pin.
→ You don’t want fine crumbs: aim for pieces roughly the size of a quarter. Spread them in an even layer across the bottom of the dish.
→ Any variety of tortilla chip works here: yellow corn, blue corn, Hint of Lime, or whatever you have on hand.
Step 2: Add the Chicken, Vegetables, and Seasoning
Scatter the raw diced chicken breast over the chips in an even layer. Add the green chiles and frozen corn on top. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over everything, there’s no need to stir.
→ Homemade vs Store-Bought Taco Seasoning: Store-bought works great here. If you prefer to make your own, my Homemade Taco Seasoning comes together in minutes.
For more heat and a deeper tomato flavor, swap in a can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles) in place of the separate cans of tomatoes and green chiles.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce and Pour it Over
In a small bowl, whisk together the condensed cheddar cheese soup and milk until smooth. The sauce will look thin, but it thickens as it bakes and works like a built-in queso over the casserole.
Spread it evenly over the top of the chicken layer.
→ Prefer to skip the canned soup? Whisk together 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of milk for a tangier, lighter swap that works just as well. For extra richness, cube up a few ounces of Velveeta and scatter it over the chicken layer before adding the sauce; it melts in and makes the filling noticeably creamier.
Step 4: Bake Covered, then Uncover to Finish
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. The foil holds in steam and gets the chicken cooking through before the tomatoes and cheese go on top.
Remove the foil and sprinkle the well-drained diced tomatoes and shredded cheese over the casserole. Return it to the oven, uncovered, for 15 to 20 more minutes.
You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is melted and the filling is hot and bubbling around the edges.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F with no pink remaining.
→ Using rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken? Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F instead. Assemble the complete casserole (tomatoes, cheese, and all) before it goes in, and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Slow Cooker Option: My Crockpot Mexican Chicken shreds beautifully and is a great make-ahead option for this.
Step 5: Serve It Up
Set everything out and let the family build their own bowls. This one’s great as a DIY taco bar. A squeeze of fresh lime over the top pulls all the flavors together.
Topping ideas:
- Sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, or pickled red onions
- Diced avocado or Guacamole
- Sour cream and Homemade Salsa
- Sliced black olives and extra crushed chips
Simple sides:
- Warm flour or corn tortillas for scooping
- Ranch-style beans or refried beans
- Corn salad or a simple green salad
- Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
Cooking for two? Cut the ingredients in half and use an 8-inch square baking dish. The cooking time stays the same.
This is a great recipe for busy weeknights. This dish comes together quick with minimal effort and tastes delicious! We love Mexican flavors around here, so this was a winner. Bonus prize, it didn’t break my WW bank either!
– Christine
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The chips will soften as the casserole sits, which most people find works just fine as leftovers.
Freezer: Freeze the casserole (without additional fresh toppings) for up to 3 months. Cover tightly with foil before freezing.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Bake straight from cold, adding 5 to 10 extra minutes to the covered bake time.
Reheating: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Individual portions can be microwaved for about 1 minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken?
Yes, and it actually speeds things up. You’ll need a total of about 3 cups of cooked diced or shredded meat. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and assemble the complete casserole (tomatoes, cheese, and all) before baking uncovered for about 30 minutes. No need to bake in two stages.
How do I keep the casserole from getting soggy?
Two things help the most: drain the diced tomatoes very well before adding them (press out extra liquid with a paper towel if needed), and crush the chips coarsely rather than into fine crumbs. The chips on the bottom will soften some during baking, but they should still have texture rather than turning mushy.
What kind of chicken works best?
Raw boneless skinless chicken breast is what this recipe is built around because it cooks through completely in the oven and stays tender. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work well too and add a little more richness. For the easiest version, use rotisserie or pre-shredded chicken and follow the adjusted bake time above.
This recipe is really delicious! I made it twice now and each time I added all the toppings suggested. Mmm… My new favorite!
– Marilyn
More Easy Taco Night Casseroles
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!
Watch How to Make It
Chicken Taco Casserole (Dump-and-Bake)
Ingredients
- 2 cups coarsely crushed tortilla chips
- 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup, (such as Campbell's Healthy Request)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, well drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
- For topping: sliced green onions, sliced black olives, diced avocado, sour cream, salsa, additional crushed chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the crushed tortilla chips in an even layer across the bottom of the dish.
- Add the diced chicken, green chiles, and frozen corn on top of the chips. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over everything.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the condensed cheddar cheese soup and milk until smooth. Spread the sauce evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil. Sprinkle the well-drained diced tomatoes and shredded cheese over the top.
- Return to the oven, uncovered, for 15 to 20 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature), the filling is hot and bubbling, and the cheese is melted. Garnish with desired toppings and serve.
Notes
- Raw vs. cooked chicken: This recipe is written for raw diced chicken breast. To use 3 cups of rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken instead, reduce the oven to 350°F, assemble the complete casserole (including tomatoes and cheese on top), and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes.
- Prevent sogginess: Drain the diced tomatoes very well before adding them. Coarsely crushed chips also hold up better than finely crushed ones.
- Taco seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought packet or substitute 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
- Cheese soup substitute: Swap in 1 cup of sour cream whisked with 2 tablespoons of milk for a tangier version.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the chicken layer, or use Rotel in place of the separate cans of tomatoes and green chiles.
- Scaling down: Cut ingredients in half and use an 8-inch square baking dish. Cooking time remains the same.
- Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate covered, and bake when ready. Add 5-10 minutes to the covered bake time if going straight from cold.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Freeze (without fresh toppings) for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Originally published in October, 2015, this post was updated in April, 2026.
That looks really good! I am going to have to try your recipe. I am all about quick dinners too – especially this time of year when the kids have me running all over the place picking them up from various activities. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Jen! Me too — with crazy kids’ schedules there’s no other way to get a meal on the table!
This looks so comforting and easy! I’m all about just throwing things together in a pot for dinner – and it’s a bonus if it ends up tasting fantastic like this would 🙂
Thanks, Holly! Throwing stuff in the pot is the way to go! 🙂
Yum! Love the flavors happening here!!This looks like the perfect week night meal! This just made my list of must makes! Hope that you are doing great Blair! 🙂
Cathy
Thanks, Cathy!!
Made the chicken taco casserole, It was delicious beside so easy to put together.
Loved it….
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Judy!
You always come up with such fabulous, easy-to-make, main dishes!! I LOVE this taco casserole; it’s packed with so much yummy flavor! I bet this one’s gonna be a hit over at my house! Looking forward to making (and eating!) this!
Thanks so much, Anna!
OMG this might be my husband’s heaven! I gotta pin and make it! or can you just come visit? haha
Totally man-friendly food, right?! 🙂
This looks really great and I love how easy it is. I’ve never seen those sauces in England though so I’d have to come up with my own. No worries, I love cooking from scratch! Actually, I’ll have to look up taco seasoning too as I’ve not come across ready made ones here either lol. But I do love the look of this Blair!
Thanks!! Do you have cans of campbell’s condensed soups in England? If so, you could probably use a can of the cheddar condensed soup and dilute it a bit with milk to make it more saucy. Just an idea!! 🙂
Chicken taco casserole sounds delicious! If it’s as easy as dump and bake, I’m all over it.
Exactly, Jen! The best way to cook!
Is a subsitute for the cheese sauce? My local Smith’s does not carry it.
Hi, Yvette! I haven’t tried this exact dish with any other substitutes, so I’m not positive…BUT, it would probably work well to use a can of Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, but make sure that you add some milk to the soup so that it is more “saucy” as opposed to a thick consistency. You don’t want it runny and soup-like, but definitely more of a sauce. Hope that helps!
Amazon?.. Walmart delivery us similar to Amazon & May be less expensive too…
You can make a cheese sauce with Velveeta and milk
Could this be made in a crockpot
Ty
Hi, Susan! I think it would probably work, but you’ll have a lot more moisture in the dish, so it might seem soggy. The condensation from the top of the slow cooker will drop down onto the casserole. Since you can’t remove the cover and let the top crisp (as you would in the oven), it will also impact the texture of the finished dish.
I was thinking the same thing … some foods just doesn’t go n to a crock pot, this is 1 of em. I use little whipping cream n my soups get all the goodie out.
Your food looks AMAZING gf ☺
Thank you! 🙂
Where do you find the sauce packs in the grocery store?
Hey, Cassandra! I think it depends on the store, so I’ve even had to ask a store clerk when I wasn’t able to find them on my own. In some stores they are on the same aisle as the soups, and in other stores I have found them near pasta sauces and near seasoning packets (like the chili packets). Hope that helps!
RE: DUMP AND BAKE CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
I can’t recall exactly how I was sent this recipe, but it came through on one of the cooking newsletters that I receive. This recipe is definitely quick and easy, but I found the sodium content to be extreme. The current dietary guidelines state that sodium intake should not exceed 2,300 mg/day for adults. Intake below this level is recommended for children younger than 14 years old (children 1-3: 1500 mg/day; children 4-8: 1900 mg/day) and people who have prehypertension or hypertension. A rough estimate of the sodium in one serving of this casserole is 1200 mg. That’s really a lot. I appreciated the ease of the damp and bake method, but I feel compelled to post a suggestion to your readers to consider ways to reduce the sodium content (for example – substitute Campbell’s low sodium condensed soup for the oven sauce; use low sodium cheese; use low salt/no salt added taco chips).
All great ideas! Thanks Carole!!
Great Suggestion & Observation -Thank you for sharing the tip
Is cheeses sauce found in frozen food section? Need to try this.
Hey, Betsy! Nope, it’s not frozen. I have found it in the canned foods — usually near the soups and other Campbell’s products. I have also seen it by the jarred sauces (like the pasta sauces).
Dump & Bake Chicken Taco Casserole:
It can prob be made with ground beef also, would you think? I was thinking just replace the chicken with ground beef and maybe just use the taco seasoning and go thru the same steps? I haven’t seen the Campbell’s seasoning sauces yet, so I’m not sure if there’s one for ground beef but maybe the taco seasoning would be enough spice? Any suggestions I would appreciate? Thank you.
Hi, Darla! Yes, you can definitely use ground beef, too. I would use about 1 – 1.5 lbs. of ground meat, and make sure that you cook it in a skillet with the taco seasoning first. Then use that taco meat in place of the chicken, following the rest of the steps as described in the recipe.
Since you’re using meat that’s already cooked in the skillet, you can probably decrease the baking time by about 10 minutes.
If you omit the cheese sauce entirely, the texture of the dish will be completely different. If you can’t find the Campbell’s cheese sauce, then I would look for a can of Campbell’s condensed cheddar cheese soup and try diluting it with a little bit of milk (maybe 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup) to make the same thick, cheesy sauce. It won’t have exactly the same flavor, but it will still be delicious! 🙂
Blair!
I love that u make your recipes using low fat healthy ingredients which are so important to me! Gonna try this one this week too! Thanks so much!
Wonderful. This one is always a hit!
If a person has ever made Velveta cheese dip with Rotel tomatoes and green chilis should be able to make the cheese sauce for this recipe. Or is just a Southern Recipe? We have it every family get together. I would just melt my Velveta Cheese with a small amount of milk in a crock pot.
Will this make the chips soggy?
Hey, Samantha! It’s kind of hard to describe. They’re maybe a little bit soggy, but it’s more like a crust that forms. We love it!
Of course, if you’d rather, you can always just skip the layer of chips on the bottom and then crumble tortilla chips over top of your chicken right before serving. That would be good as well.
This sounds super comforting, just what I need after a hectic day!
This is a great recipe for busy weeknights. This dish comes together quick with minimal effort and tastes delicious! We love Mexican flavors around here, so this was a winner. Bonus prize, it didn’t break my WW bank either!
That’s great to hear, Christine! Thank you so much for your note. 🙂
This recipe is really delicious! I made it twice now and each time I added all the toppings suggested. Mmm… My new favorite!
That’s awesome, Marilyn! Thanks for your note!
New fave! How much can I reduce cooking time with cooked chicken?
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! You can cut the baking time in half using cooked chicken. Just make sure the dish heats through and the cheese is melted.
do you think this would work with salsa con queso?
We haven’t tested it and can’t guarantee your results but think it would work. We’d love to know how it goes if you give it a try, Tara!