Simple Chicken Burrito Casserole: My Weeknight Winner (Print Version)
Whip up this simple chicken burrito casserole! Layers of flavor, minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Dietary: Contains meat, dairy, gluten. Can be adapted.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
02 -
8-10 medium flour tortillas
03 -
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
04 -
1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen)
05 -
2 cups salsa, divided (your favorite kind!)
→ Flavor Boosters
06 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
07 -
1 small onion, diced
08 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
10 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
→ Finishing Touches
11 -
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar)
12 -
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
13 -
Sour cream, for serving
14 -
Sliced avocado, for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get that chicken ready if it’s not already. Shred it up, dice it small – whatever you fancy. In a big bowl, toss the chicken with your rinsed black beans, corn, about half of your salsa, and those wonderful spices: chili powder and cumin. Give it a good stir, really combine those flavors. This is where I always taste it to see if it needs a little more spice or salt, you know, just to be sure. It should smell like a fiesta already!
02 -
Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and let it soften, maybe 5-7 minutes, until it’s translucent and smells sweet. Then, add the minced garlic. Oh, that smell! Cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I made once, and the whole dish tasted a bit bitter. Stir this into your chicken mixture. It adds a lovely depth of flavor to our easy chicken burrito casserole.
03 -
Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of salsa on the bottom – this prevents sticking and adds flavor from the get-go. Now, arrange a single layer of flour tortillas over the salsa, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom. Don't worry if they don't fit perfectly, just tear them to fill in the gaps! Next, spoon about half of your chicken mixture over the tortillas, spreading it evenly. Then, sprinkle with a generous amount of shredded cheese. So much cheese, honestly!
04 -
Time for another layer! Place more tortillas over the cheese, then the remaining chicken mixture, and another sprinkle of cheese. For the final layer, add the last of your tortillas, spread the remaining salsa over the top, and finish with a big, glorious layer of shredded cheese. I always go a little heavy on the top cheese, because who doesn't love a golden, bubbly cheese crust? This is what makes this easy chicken burrito casserole so irresistible.
05 -
Pop that beauty into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly around the edges. You want to see that gorgeous sizzle! If it looks like it’s browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil, but honestly, I've never had to do that. The smell at this stage is absolutely incredible, a true kitchen chaos moment of joy.
06 -
Once it’s out of the oven, let your easy chicken burrito casserole rest for 5-10 minutes. This little break helps everything set, making it easier to cut and serve without it falling apart. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and some sliced avocado. It should look vibrant, smell amazing, and taste like pure comfort. Dig in, my friend!
# Notes:
01 -
Always warm your tortillas slightly before layering; they're less likely to tear, a trick I learned the hard way.
02 -
Reheating in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes is my go-to for best results.
03 -
For a vegetarian version, swap chicken for extra beans and sautéed veggies like bell peppers and zucchini.
04 -
Serving with a simple green salad and a dollop of sour cream truly completes the meal for me.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
9x13 inch baking dish
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
skillet
04 -
measuring cups and spoons
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 25g