Description
This Doritos™ Cheesy Chicken Casserole is a deliciously cheesy and flavorful baked dish featuring Cool Ranch™ Doritos™, tender shredded chicken, and a creamy four cheese Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines crunchy Doritos with melted cheese and seasoned chicken for a comforting casserole that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
Crunchy Base
- 1 bag (10 oz) Doritos™ Cool Ranch™ flavored tortilla chips, coarsely crushed (about 6 cups)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz), divided
Cheesy Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz), divided
- 1 jar (15 oz) four cheese Alfredo pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix (from 1 container, 6.25 oz)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Coat Doritos with Butter: In a large bowl, toss the coarsely crushed Doritos™ with the melted butter until all the chips are evenly coated. This adds richness and helps create a crispy base.
- Assemble the Base Layer: Spread 4 cups of the buttered Doritos evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Then, sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese over the Doritos to form the first cheesy layer.
- Mix the Cheesy Chicken Filling: In another large bowl, combine the four cheese Alfredo pasta sauce with the taco seasoning mix, stirring until fully blended. Add the shredded cooked chicken, undrained fire roasted diced tomatoes, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Stir everything until well mixed to ensure an even distribution of flavor and texture.
- Add the Filling to the Casserole: Spoon the chicken and sauce mixture evenly over the Doritos and cheese layer in the baking dish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. This allows the casserole to heat through and the flavors to meld.
- Top and Finish Baking: After 30 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of Doritos over the top, followed by the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the top for 1-2 minutes after the final bake, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- You can substitute the chicken with turkey or a plant-based protein for variation.
- Feel free to use any other flavor of Doritos if you prefer a different taste profile.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked and shredded prior to preparing the casserole.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; add an extra 5-10 minutes baking time if baking from cold.
