Description
This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Packed with seasoned rotini pasta, black beans, corn, cooked chicken, and a creamy salsa mixture, it's topped with melted cheese for a comforting, flavorful meal that's easy to prepare in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 packet mild taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
Canned and Prepared Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend preferred)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 teaspoon salt). Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta but do not rinse, so it retains its starch for better sauce adherence.
- Mix Sauce: While the pasta cooks, combine sour cream, salsa, mild taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until smooth and evenly blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the drained pasta into the sour cream mixture. Stir to coat the pasta evenly. Then fold in the drained corn, rinsed black beans, cooked chicken, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Mix gently to combine all components well.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese on top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and brown slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Optionally garnish the casserole with additional sour cream, chopped fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado slices for extra freshness and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water well to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Do not rinse pasta after cooking to help sauce stick better.
- Use cooked chicken from a rotisserie or leftovers to save time.
- For added spice, consider using medium or hot taco seasoning instead of mild.
- This casserole reheats well in the microwave or oven.
- Garnishes like cilantro and avocado add fresh contrast but are optional.