Chicken Nacho Casserole

Chicken Nacho Casserole – Cheesy Bake sounds delicious! Here’s a simple recipe that brings all those cheesy, savory flavors together.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)

• 1 bag (12 oz) tortilla chips

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)

• 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies (optional for extra heat)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup salsa (choose your preferred level of heat)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

• Cilantro (for garnish, optional)

• Sliced jalapeños (optional, for extra spice)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken:

   • If you don’t have cooked chicken already, season 2 chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili powder. Cook in a skillet with a little olive oil until fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes per side). Shred the chicken once it’s done.

2. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

3. Sauté the Veggies:

   • Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together and cook for another minute.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced tomatoes with chilies, chopped green chilies (if using), salsa, and sour cream. Stir well to combine.

5. Layer the Casserole:

   • Grease a 9×13 baking dish with a little butter or cooking spray. Layer the tortilla chips on the bottom of the dish.

   • Spread half of the chicken mixture over the chips.

   • Sprinkle half of the shredded cheeses over the chicken mixture.

   • Repeat the layers (chips, chicken mixture, and cheese) until all ingredients are used up.

6. Bake:

   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

   • After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños, if desired.

   • Serve hot, with a side of sour cream or guacamole for dipping.

Tips:

• If you want more heat, add some chopped fresh jalapeños into the casserole layers or sprinkle them on top before baking.

• You can use ground beef or turkey instead of chicken if you prefer.

• For extra crunch, you can add some crushed tortilla chips on top just before baking.

Enjoy this cheesy, comforting casserole! Do you think you’ll try it out soon, or do you already have a go-to