Mexican Casserole with White Sauce
A hearty Mexican casserole layered with tortillas, seasoned chicken, beans, corn, cheese, pico de gallo, and finished with a creamy white sauce for a flavorful and comforting meal.
6 Servings
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups shredded chicken breast
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 large white onion diced
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend shredded
- 1 can fire-roasted corn
- 5 –6 flour tortillas halved as needed
- 1 cup chunky-style pico de gallo
- 1 can refried beans
- 1 jar ready-made Mexican white sauce or substitute with 1 cup mayonnaise mixed with 1 cup sour cream, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tsp taco seasoning mix
For Garnish:
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Shred the cooked chicken using two forks. In a skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of oil and sauté the chicken with the diced onion. Add the taco seasoning and ⅛ cup of water, stirring well. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the flavors blend.
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
First Layer:
- Arrange halved tortillas across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread ⅓ of the refried beans evenly over the tortillas. Top with a portion of the seasoned chicken and sprinkle with ⅓ of the cheese.
Second Layer:
- Add another layer of tortillas, followed by corn, pico de gallo, and another ⅓ of the cheese.
Third Layer:
- Place another layer of tortillas, spread with the remaining beans, and top with the rest of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with another ⅓ of the cheese.
Final Layer:
- Finish with a final layer of tortillas, then spread the remaining beans, chicken, corn, and pico de gallo. Sprinkle with the last portion of cheese.
Add White Sauce:
- Pour the white sauce evenly over the top of the layered casserole. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream and fresh cilantro.
Notes
To make this casserole gluten free, substitute the flour tortillas with certified gluten-free corn tortillas or gluten-free wraps. Double-check the taco seasoning mix and white sauce for gluten-containing additives, or make the white sauce from scratch using gluten-free mayonnaise and sour cream.