Cheesy Chicken Fiesta Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Fiesta Casserole is filled with crispy coated chicken breasts and covered with a lightly spiced creamy cheese sauce. It’s all packed into one easy to bake, cheesy casserole. The perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.

The chicken is coated with a taco seasoning and cheesy cracker crumbs. You can use a mild seasoning or a hot seasoning depending on your heat preference. The sauce has two cheeses, cheddar and pepper jack, but if you don’t like the heat, change out the pepper jack for Monterey Jack and you’ll be all set. The cheeses are combined with half and half, green chiles and onions but I like to use a fat-free half and half to cut calories. 

Easy steps to make this Mexican-inspired chicken casserole

Serve with cilantro rice and black beans for a real Mexican fiesta. Psst! Don’t forget to spoon that sauce over the rice too – oh it’s so good!

Now take a bite and savor the crispy chicken that’s coated with a lightly spiced creamy cheese sauce. You’ll be going back for seconds in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

Can I make this casserole in the morning? Yes, most certainly! This casserole can be prepared early in the day then refrigerated until dinner time. Take out 30 minutes prior to cooking to bring closer to room temperature then add 5 minutes on to cook time.

Can it be frozen? Definitely yes! I like to place mine in baggies that hold just what my husband and I can eat. Just defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.

Pro-Tip: This recipe can be adapted to your family’s taste. Don’t like too much heat? Try subbing the jalapeno jack with Monterey Jack cheese. Don’t have Cheez-Its on hand, any cracker will do such as Ritz, or even flavored chips like Doritos.

Side dishes to complete this Cheesy Chicken Casserole dinner

Cilantro Rice from 2 Cookin Mamas – fresh cooked rice is seasoned with lime juice and tossed with cilantro for a Mexican flair.

Roasted Corn Salad from 2 Cookin Mamas – a lighter side dish featuring fresh roasted corn & a rainbow of vegetables topped with citrusy lime vinaigrette. 

Instant Pot Black Beans from My Stay at Home Adventures – start the beans mixed with seasonings and broth in the Instant Pot when you start baking this casserole and everything will be ready at the same time.

More easy chicken dinners for the work week

Cheesy Cauliflower Chicken Broccoli Casserole

BBQ Chicken Bacon Bake

Chicken Cordon Bleu Shells

5 from 5 votes

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Cheesy Chicken Fiesta Casserole

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

Cheesy Chicken Fiesta Casserole is filled with crispy coated chicken breasts and covered with a lightly spiced creamy cheese sauce. It's all packed into one easy to bake, cheesy casserole. The perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: cheesy chicken fiesta, chicken fiesta, chicken fiesta casserole

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Calories: 587 kcal

Author: Linda Warren

Ingredients

• 1 cup Cheez-Its crumbed
• 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning mix
• 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or 8 small
• 4 green onions chopped
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups fat-free half & half
• 1 cup Pepper Jack shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 can 4 oz chopped green chiles, do not drain

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13x9x2-inch baking dish by spraying with a non-stick spray.
2. Crumb Cheez-Its by placing into large ziploc bag and seal. Using a rolling pin, just roll over it in different directions until there are only fine crumbs left. You can also save time by grinding it in a small chopper. I like the Ninja Chopper, works well and easy to clean.
3. Mix crumbed mixture with the taco seasoning in the same bag.
4. Place the chicken pieces, one at a time, in the bag and shake to coat.
5. Place chicken into prepared pan in a single layer. I like to pat the remaining seasoned crumbs left in the bag onto the chicken.
6. In a medium skillet, melt butter and sauté green onions until tender.
7. Stir in half & half, cheeses and green chiles.
8. Pour over chicken then place in oven, uncovered, and bake for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Chicken Fiesta Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 587 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 12g60%

Cholesterol 160mg53%

Sodium 901mg38%

Potassium 775mg22%

Carbohydrates 34g11%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 47g94%

Vitamin A 685IU14%

Vitamin C 4.2mg5%

Calcium 418mg42%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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