Description
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining pasta, shredded chicken, beans, corn, and a zesty sauce made from sour cream, salsa, and taco seasonings. Baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese, this easy-to-make casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 ½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 packet mild taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Additional Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheese (such as Colby Jack), divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside for later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (add about 1 teaspoon of salt). Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, salsa, mild taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Other Ingredients: Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce mixture. Stir to coat all the pasta evenly. Then fold in the drained corn, rinsed black beans, shredded or cubed cooked chicken, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix everything thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake the casserole covered for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to let the cheese on top melt and brown slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve the casserole garnished with optional toppings such as a dollop of sour cream, diced tomatoes, chopped fresh cilantro, and avocado slices for extra flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Do not rinse cooked pasta after draining; this helps the sauce adhere better.
- You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or elbow macaroni.
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy option.
- Adjust the level of salsa and taco seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Optional garnishes add freshness and creamy contrast to the casserole.
