Get ready for a crowd-pleasing dinner that’s as easy to make as it is delicious – our Cheesy Chicken Dorito Casserole! This comforting and flavorful dish features the convenience of a rotisserie chicken, the crunch of nacho cheese Doritos, and a medley of savory ingredients that come together in a perfect harmony of textures and tastes. It’s a family-friendly recipe that’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Follow our step-by-step guide for a simple yet satisfying meal that brings together the goodness of shredded chicken, cheesy goodness, and a touch of spice. Let’s dive into the details of creating this mouthwatering Cheesy Chicken Dorito Casserole!
Ingredients:
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded: Remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken, discarding bones and skin. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- 1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos, crushed: Place the Doritos in a large zip-top bag and crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin or your hands.
- 1 can of corn, drained: Open the can of corn and drain the excess liquid using a colander.
- 1 can of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies): Open the can of Rotel and set aside.
- 1 can of cream of chicken soup: Use a can opener to open the cream of chicken soup.
- 1/2 packet of taco seasoning: Measure out half of the taco seasoning packet.
- Shredded cheese (taco blend or your preferred cheese): Measure the shredded cheese. Taco blend or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack work well.
- 8 oz sour cream: Measure the sour cream.
- 1/2 cup milk: Measure the milk.
- Optional: Chopped broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, chop it into small florets.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken, crushed Doritos, drained corn, Rotel, cream of chicken soup, taco seasoning, shredded cheese, sour cream, and milk. If you’re using broccoli, add it at this stage. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Layering in the Baking Dish:
- Spread a layer of crushed Doritos on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the layer of Doritos.
- Sprinkle more crushed Doritos and shredded cheese on top of the chicken mixture.
- Adding the Remaining Layers:
- Add the remaining chicken mixture over the second layer of Doritos and cheese.
- Topping the Casserole:
- Top the casserole with the reserved crushed Doritos and a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Baking:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Final Touch:
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, or additional sour cream if desired.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Quick and Easy: This Cheesy Chicken Dorito Casserole is a lifesaver on busy nights. With the convenience of a rotisserie chicken and simple assembly, dinner will be on the table in no time.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy texture from sour cream and cream of chicken soup, the kick from taco seasoning, and the satisfying crunch of crushed Doritos create a flavor explosion that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
- Versatile Ingredients: You can customize this dish to suit your taste. Add in some chopped broccoli for a veggie boost or tweak the cheese blend to match your preferences. It’s a flexible recipe that adapts to your family’s likes.
- Kid-Friendly Appeal: The familiarity of nacho cheese Doritos and the overall cheesy goodness make this casserole a hit with the little ones. It’s a great way to sneak in some protein and veggies without compromising on taste.
- Baked to Perfection: The final step of baking not only melts the cheese to gooey perfection but also brings all the flavors together. The aroma wafting from the oven is simply irresistible.
- Perfect for Potlucks or Gatherings: This casserole is an excellent choice for potlucks, family gatherings, or when you need to feed a crowd. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that’s sure to please a variety of palates.
- Minimal Cleanup: With only one baking dish to clean, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of the preparation and minimal post-cooking mess.
How to store it:
Storing Cheesy Chicken Dorito Casserole properly will help maintain its freshness. Here’s a guide on how to store it:
- Refrigeration:
- Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature after baking.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate the casserole within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing:
- If you want to freeze the casserole, it’s best to do so before baking.
- Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, but don’t bake it.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
- Label the dish with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating:
- When ready to eat, if the casserole was refrigerated, you can reheat it in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning.
- Reheat for about 20-30 minutes or until it’s heated through.
- If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as instructed above.
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Individual Portions:
- Consider portioning the casserole into smaller containers before refrigerating or freezing. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
