Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack Mexican Lasagna
Table of Contents
- Your Whole Crowd Will Love This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack!
- Get Ready to Fiesta: Ingredients & Equipment for the BEST Mexican Lasagna Casserole
- Your Whole Crowd Will Love This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack!
- Recipe Notes for Your Mexican Lasagna Casserole Masterpiece
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📝 Recipe Card
Your Whole Crowd Will Love This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack!
Ever stared into the fridge, wondering what to make for the masses? Your whole crowd will love this Mexican Lasagna , trust me.
It's basically a super easy, super tasty Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack. I accidentally stumbled onto this recipe while trying to recreate my grandma's famous Lasagna Casserole, but with a south-of-the-border twist.
This isn’t your Nonna’s lasagna, that's for sure. Think Chicken Enchilada Casserole meets Lasagna Casserole ! It's an Easy Mexican Recipe for a Crowd that originated from trying to recreate the comfort of home cooking with a south-of-the-border fiesta theme.
It's ridiculously simple, ready in under an hour and feeds a small army.
What Makes This Mexican Casserole so Special?
Honestly, it's the lack of fuss. We're talking Comfort Food Casseroles for Parties without spending all day in the kitchen.
It's way more than just another Chicken Tortilla Bake Recipe ; it is my favorite Southwest Chicken Casserole that I love to put on the table every single time for casual parties.
This is the recipe to whip out when you need a Crowd Pleasing Mexican Dish .
One of the best things? It's secretly quite healthy. Packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the beans, it's a guilt free way to indulge.
Serve it up at your next casual gathering, or even for a cozy family dinner. Think about it, a big pan of gooey, cheesy goodness.
Get Ready to Gather Your Ingredients
This Mexican Lasagna is ridiculously easy to customise. Don’t have black beans? Use kidney beans. Fancy some extra heat? Throw in a chopped jalapeño.
Seriously, it's foolproof. Let's dive into the ingredients you'll need to create this masterpiece.
Get Ready to Fiesta: Ingredients & Equipment for the BEST Mexican Lasagna Casserole
Honestly, this Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe is one of my go-to comfort food casseroles for parties . It's super easy, your whole crowd will love it, and it's way less fussy than traditional lasagna.
Plus, who doesn't love cheesy chicken enchiladas ? Let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this Chicken Tortilla Bake Recipe , a true southwest chicken casserole that's more like a giant, shareable cheesy hug!
Main Ingredients: Let's Talk Quantities, Yeah?
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ). Just normal olive oil will do the trick.
- Chicken breasts: 1 pound ( 450g ), boneless, skinless, cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Quality chicken matters! Look for plump breasts, not the weirdly pale ones.
- Onion: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup ). Yellow or white, whatever you have knocking about.
- Green bell pepper: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup ). Red or yellow works too, if you are feeling jazzy!
- Black beans: 1 (15 ounce) can ( 425g ), rinsed and drained. Rinsing is essential, trust me. Nobody wants bean juice in their Lasagna Casserole .
- Corn: 1 (15 ounce) can ( 425g ), drained. Frozen corn works perfectly too, just thaw it first.
- Diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel): 1 (10 ounce) can ( 280g ), undrained. This adds a cheeky bit of zing!
- Taco seasoning: 1 (1.25 ounce) package ( 35g ). You can use homemade, if you're feeling like a domestic goddess.
- Flour tortillas: 12 (6 inch) ( 15cm ). Corn tortillas are also an option, if you are gluten-free!
- Cheddar cheese: 2 cups shredded ( 200g ). Pre-shredded is your friend here, or freshly grated.
- Monterey Jack cheese: 1 cup shredded ( 100g ). Again, whatever is easiest.
- Sour cream, salsa, guacamole: All for serving. Oh my gosh, add these. Please.
This Mexican Lasagna is simple and the ingredients are easy to find!
Seasoning Notes: Level Up the Flavor, Mate
Taco seasoning is the MVP here, doing a lot of the heavy lifting, and essential spice combinations . But! Don't be afraid to add a pinch of cumin or chili powder for extra depth.
A dash of smoked paprika can also add a delicious, smoky vibe. And for flavor enhancers and aromatics , finely chopped cilantro is your best mate for the topping.
No cilantro? Parsley will do in a pinch!
Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple, Stupid
- Large skillet: For cooking the chicken and veggies. If you only have a small one, you might want to work in batches.
- 9x13 inch baking dish ( 23x33cm ): This is the perfect size for layering this Easy Mexican Recipe for a Crowd . If you don't have one, a similar sized casserole dish will be fine.
Honestly, that's all you really need. No fancy gadgets, no nonsense. This recipe for a Crowd Pleasing Mexican Dish is all about tasty food, minimal fuss. Enjoy!
Your Whole Crowd Will Love This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack!
This Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack is a sure fire winner! Seriously, I've made this Mexican Lasagna for countless get-togethers. Honestly, it's always a hit. Let’s dive in!
Prep Like a Pro: Set the Stage for Casserole Success
First things first, let’s get our mise en place sorted. Basically, chop your onion and bell pepper . Then, dice up your chicken .
Trust me, having everything prepped will save you a load of time later. It's about being efficient, not frantic.
The step-by-step: Building Your Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Ready to get your hands dirty? This Lasagna Casserole comes together quickly.
- Heat the olive oil in your skillet. Then, brown your diced chicken for 5- 7 minutes . You want it cooked through.
- Chuck in your chopped onion and bell pepper . Sauté for 3- 5 minutes , until they soften.
- Next, stir in your black beans , corn , diced tomatoes with chilies , and taco seasoning . Simmer for 5 minutes .
- Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Now, spread a thin layer of the chicken mixture in your baking dish. Layer in your tortillas .
- Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese . Repeat the layers until all the mixture and cheese are gone. End with cheese on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes , or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes before cutting. This helps it set.
Pro Tips and Tricks: Crowd Pleasing Mexican Dishes
Here's the secret sauce to making this Chicken Tortilla Bake Recipe even better. Don't overfill your tortillas! It gets messy.
Warm your tortillas before assembling. Seriously, this makes them more pliable. And finally, don’t skimp on the cheese. We're aiming for maximum gooeyness.
Looking for Easy Mexican Recipes for a Crowd ? This Southwest Chicken Casserole is definitely up there. It's a proper family favourite.
This Comfort Food Casseroles for Parties is a banger!
Right then, get in the kitchen and give it a go. Your crowd will absolutely love it. I'm certain of it.
Recipe Notes for Your Mexican Lasagna Casserole Masterpiece
Alright, so you're about to embark on this Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas adventure. But before you dive headfirst into this Chicken Enchilada Casserole let's go over some handy tips and tricks, because honestly, who doesn't love a shortcut or two?
This is more than just a recipe; it's about creating a Crowd Pleasing Mexican Dishes !
Serving It Up Right
Plating & Presentation: Forget fancy plating. We're talking Comfort Food Casseroles for Parties , so keep it real. A simple scoop onto a plate, maybe a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Done. Seriously, don't stress it. Sometimes I like to put out bowls of chopped avocado, salsa, and jalapeños so people can customize their portion.
Side Kicks: This Chicken Tortilla Bake Recipe is pretty hearty, so you don't need much. A simple green salad with a zingy lime dressing works wonders.
For drinks, think Easy Mexican Recipes for a Crowd like margaritas for the adults, or some fizzy Mexican soda for everyone else.
It would match this Lasagna Casserole .
Storing Like a Pro
Refrigeration 101: Leftovers are your friend. Cover the Southwest Chicken Casserole tightly and it'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days .
Just make sure it's cooled down properly before you stash it away.
Freezing Frenzy?: Surprisingly, this Mexican Casserole freezes pretty well. Cut it into individual portions, wrap them tightly in cling film, then pop them into freezer bags.
It'll last for up to 2 months . When reheating, let it thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating Rockstar: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. Honestly , I sometimes just eat it cold straight from the fridge.
But for a more elegant moment, bake the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until heated through and bubbly.
Remixing the Recipe
Dietary Tweaks: Need a gluten-free Mexican Lasagna ? Use corn tortillas! Also for a vegetarian options, swap chicken for black beans and corn and add some delicious sauteed veggies.
Seasonal Swaps: In the summer, fresh, ripe tomatoes make an excellent substitute for the canned ones. In the winter, maybe use some butternut squash.
Nutrition Nuggets
Simplified Info: Roughly, each serving of this Mexican Lasagna packs around 450-550 calories . It's loaded with protein (thanks to the chicken and beans) and fibre (from the veggies).
But hey, let's be real, it's also got cheese. You know ?.
Health Perks: Besides being delicious, this Mexican Lasagna is a sneaky way to get more beans and veggies into Your Whole Crowd Will Love ! It's a good source of protein and fibre.
Don't be scared to get creative, tweak the recipe to your liking, and most importantly, have fun! Happy Cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make "Your Whole Crowd Will Love" Mexican Lasagna ahead of time? I'm a busy bee!
Absolutely! You can assemble the Mexican Lasagna a day ahead of time. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. When you're ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before popping it in the oven, ensuring it cooks evenly.
Just like meal prepping for a marathon, planning ahead makes weeknights a doddle.
My family isn't big on spice. How can I make this Mexican Lasagna milder for sensitive taste buds?
No worries, you can easily tame the heat! Use mild taco seasoning instead of the regular kind, and be sure to check the diced tomatoes some brands are spicier than others. You could even substitute the Rotel with plain diced tomatoes and omit the green chilies entirely.
Remember, you can always add heat, but you can't take it away!
What's the best way to store leftovers of "Your Whole Crowd Will Love" Mexican Lasagna?
Leftovers are a treasure! Store cooled Mexican Lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake larger portions in the oven until heated through. It's practically a whole new delicious meal waiting to happen!
Can I freeze this Mexican Lasagna? We always end up with mountains of leftovers!
Freezing is a great option for longer storage. Let the assembled lasagna cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
It may be a little softer after thawing, but the taste will still be spot on!
I'm trying to eat healthier. What are some ways to make this Mexican Lasagna lighter?
You can definitely lighten things up! Use ground turkey or shredded chicken breast instead of dark meat, opt for low-fat cheese, and load up on extra veggies like bell peppers and zucchini. You can also use whole wheat tortillas for added fiber and reduce the amount of cheese in each layer.
These simple swaps can make a big difference to the overall calorie count!
Besides chicken, what other fillings could I use in this Mexican Lasagna?
The possibilities are endless! Ground beef or turkey would be fantastic, or you could go vegetarian with black beans, corn, and sweet potato. For a seafood twist, try shrimp or flaky white fish. Think of it as a blank canvas for your favorite Mexican inspired ingredients!
The only limit is your imagination (and maybe the size of your baking dish).
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Stack Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450-550 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20-30g |
| Fiber | 5-7g |