Today, we’re diving into the realm of comfort food with a twist: Easy Cheesy Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole. Welcome to our kitchen where simplicity meets flavor. This mouthwatering recipe is a delightful fusion of creamy textures, zesty spices, and gooey cheeses that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Say goodbye to bland casseroles and hello to a burst of fiesta Mexican flavors. Unlike traditional recipes, this one skips the soup and opts for a blend of fresh ingredients.
It’s a breeze to whip up. This fiesta chicken casserole recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients and pantry staples like cheese, pasta, milk, butter, a few spices, and cherry tomatoes. A few minutes of prep time and you’ll have this casserole ready for the oven in no time. Serve it alongside a simple salad, corn, and green beans for a complete meal that’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Perfect weeknight meal and a great way to use that leftover chicken or a leftover rotisserie chicken. No leftover chicken? No problem, just cook up a few chicken breasts and shred or dice. Really, any kind of cooked chicken works for this recipe.
Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe
My family adores this chicken dinner, finding it a refreshing departure from the usual chicken and rice casserole or pasta-based chicken bakes. This easy casserole practically constitutes a full meal on its own, although you can always complement it with a simple side salad if desired.
Make Ahead Chicken Bake
You can also prepare the casserole a day ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, refrigerate. The best thing, the next day when you are ready to use it, just pop it in the oven and bake. Add about ten minutes to the baking time if starting off from the refrigerator.
This makes a great Make Ahead Freezer Meal. You can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Just prepare the casserole ingredients, cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze. Make sure to label with the contents and bake time. When baking from frozen, lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add 1 hour onto the baking time.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover cheesy chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat individual portions in your microwave. Larger portions can be reheated in the casserole dish in your oven at 300 degrees until heated through.
Fiesta chicken recipe options
We keep our recipe pretty simple; however, there are other ingredients that would work really well in this recipe.
Make this a bit heartier by adding black beans. Spice it up a bit more by adding green chilis or your favorite hot sauce.
Swap out the cherry tomatoes on top with a jar of chunky salsa.
It’s a delicious dinner and easy to incorporate your favorite flavors.
Easy Cheesy Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Pasta cooked according to package directions
- 3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken Chopped
- 2 Green Onions Chopped
- 1 Stalk Celery Chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- 1 ½ Cups Milk
- 1 Ounce Taco Seasoning 1 packet or 2 tablespoons
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes Sliced
- ½ Cup Butter 1 Stick sliced into pieces
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente. Will yield about 4 cups cooked pasta. Drain and add to 9 X 13 baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.8 Ounces Pasta
- Cut up rotisserie chicken, green onion, and celery. Add to the top of the pasta.3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken, 2 Green Onions, 1 Stalk Celery
- Season with the paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.1 Teaspoon Paprika, 1 Teaspoon Salt, 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- In a small bowl, mis the milk and taco seasoning and pour over the top of the pasta and chicken.1 ½ Cups Milk, 1 Ounce Taco Seasoning
- Top with mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese.1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese
- Add the sliced cherry tomatoes. Slice the butter into pieces and place it on top of the casserole.1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, ½ Cup Butter
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Make Ahead Chicken Bake
You can also prepare the casserole a day ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, refrigerate. The best thing, the next day when you are ready to use it, just pop it in the oven and bake. Add about ten minutes to the baking time if starting off from the refrigerator. This makes a great Make Ahead Freezer Meal. You can freeze the casserole for up to 3 months for longer storage. Just prepare the casserole ingredients, cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze. Make sure to label with the contents and bake time. When baking from frozen, lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add 1 hour onto the baking time.How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover cheesy chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in your microwave. Larger portions can be reheated in the casserole dish in your oven at 300 degrees until heated through.Nutrition
What to Serve as Sides?
We like to serve our Baguette Garlic Bread, honey butter corn and our three bean salad made from green beans with this chicken bake.
Sometimes, we serve this with sour cream and all our favorite taco toppings. Other times, we just enjoy the Southwestern flavor as it is. It’s the perfect meal that our whole family loves.
We have a few other delicious recipes for you to explore.
