Description
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a vibrant, flavorful baked dish featuring tender rotini pasta mixed with a zesty blend of sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning. Packed with protein-rich chicken, corn, black beans, and topped with melted cheese, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 packet mild taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Additional Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2½ cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Mexican blend), divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly but do not rinse it; this helps the sauce adhere better.
- Mix sauce ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, salsa, mild taco seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until fully incorporated.
- Combine pasta and other ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, drained corn, rinsed black beans, cooked chicken, and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake covered: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to warm and meld the flavors.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes. This final bake will allow the cheese to become bubbly and slightly golden.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne or elbow macaroni.
- For a creamier texture, use full-fat sour cream.
- Add chopped jalapeños or hot salsa for a spicier casserole.
- Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the chicken and increase the black beans or add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
