Dinner

Ground Chicken Taco Casserole Recipe

ByJulian Dempsey October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Introduction

This Ground Chicken Taco Casserole is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal that combines the best of Mexican-inspired ingredients in a simple bake. With tender seasoned chicken, beans, corn, and melty cheese layered with crispy tortilla strips, it’s comfort food made easy and satisfying.

The dish is served in a round white bowl with a thin black rim, placed on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth under it. It has multiple layers starting with a base of beans and corn mixed with small chunks of tomato, topped with melted golden brown cheese that shows some crispy, slightly charred spots. Over the cheese, there is a dollop of white sour cream, garnished with small green herb pieces. There is a silver spoon resting inside the bowl on the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
1 packet taco seasoning (or seasoning blend, see notes below)
15 oz can beans (undrained)
10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles (undrained)
1 cup (170g) frozen roasted corn
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
6 extra thin corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
4 oz shredded Mexican cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Once the oil is hot, add the ground chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes without stirring to brown one side. Then break it apart and continue cooking until fully cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in the taco seasoning or desired spice blend until evenly combined. Add the can of beans (including the liquid), diced tomatoes and green chiles, frozen corn, and chicken broth or water. Mix everything together well.
Step 4: Fold in the tortilla strips and transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly on top.
Step 5: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and tortillas around the edges start to brown slightly.
Step 6: Remove from oven and garnish with your favorite toppings such as chopped cilantro, salsa macha or hot sauce, sour cream, or nonfat Greek yogurt.

Tips & Variations

Use a homemade taco seasoning blend with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper for a fresher taste.
Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or beef if preferred.
For extra veggies, add diced bell peppers or onions when cooking the chicken.
If you like it spicier, include chopped jalapeños or hot sauce in the mix.
Serve with fresh avocado slices or a squeeze of lime for added brightness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through, or in the microwave for 1–2 minutes. For best texture, reheat uncovered in the oven to keep the tortilla strips slightly crisp.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a layered casserole showing three main layers: the base with light brown cooked ground meat and beans mixed with yellow corn, topped by a melted golden cheese layer with some crispy browned edges and scattered fresh green herbs. On top of the bowl’s contents sits a dollop of smooth white sour cream sprinkled with green herbs. A silver spoon is placed inside the bowl, resting on the right side. Behind the bowl, a black pan holds more of the same casserole with a similar rough, chunky, and cheesy texture. The bowl and pan sit on a white marbled surface partially covered by a striped black and white cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tortillas instead of store-bought extra thin corn tortillas?

Yes, you can use fresh corn tortillas, but cutting them into thin strips helps create the crispy texture in the casserole. If using thicker tortillas, you may want to cut them thinner or toast them slightly before folding into the mixture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

When using corn tortillas and ensuring your taco seasoning and other ingredients are gluten-free, this casserole is safe for a gluten-free diet. Always check labels to confirm.