Mexican Chicken Casserole smothered in a simple sour cream, green chili and cheese sauce. The bubbly cheese sauce seals in the chicken juices so it bakes up tender, juicy and flavorful. Everyone needs an easy chicken bake for unexpected company. You won’t believe the easy sauce!
Some of our favorite recipes are Mexican-inspired like Ceviche, or Fish Tacos (the #1 recipe on our site right now). This chicken bake satisfies the craving for Mexican food.
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Mexican Chicken:
We love easy Mexican chicken recipes. They are a fun way to explore new flavor combinations and change up your dinner routine. The green chilis give this really great flavor without being spicy. This Mexican Chicken Casserole is also a really easy party dish. The kids loved it because it was creamy, cheesy and the green chilis were very mild.
One of our readers, Judy, wrote in and shared this recipe with us and it was an instant hit. Thank you Judy! We really can’t get enough of this 3-ingredient sauce:
Tips for Making Mexican Chicken Casserole:
Even though this is a crazy easy recipe, here are some pitfalls to avoid (because I know it’s super tempting to improvise with an easy recipe):
- Don’t overload the chicken in the casserole dish. Increase everything proportionally and use a larger baking dish if scaling up the recipe.
- Arrange Chicken in a single layer in the casserole dish – you want the sauce to cover each piece of chicken.
- Don’t over-bake or the chicken will get dry. Remember the chicken is already cooked through.
- Use green chilis with their juice – do not drain.
The avocado, tomato, cilantro garnish is optional but highly necessary. You can also serve this with fresh Pico de Gallo. We love this Mexican Chicken Casserole served over white rice.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes:
- Avocado Corn Salad – so fresh and healthy for summer
- Mango Shrimp Salsa – this always disappears fast!
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili – so easy with tender chicken
- Beef Tacos – with the easiest ground beef meat sauce
- Hot Shrimp Dip – loaded with shrimp and artichokes
Watch Natasha Make Mexican Chicken:
I hope you love this easy peasy chicken bake! Let me know what are YOUR favorite Mexican foods in a comment below.
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Mexican Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Mexican Chicken Casserole:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, (4 small or 3 medium)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 8 oz shredded Mexican cheese, divided
- 1 cup sour cream, (full fat)
- 14 oz diced green chilis (two 7 oz can with their juice
To Serve:
- 1 small avocado, diced
- 1 roma tomato, diced
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F and butter a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Once oil is hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook about 3 minutes per side or until golden and just cooked through with an internal temperature of 165˚F. Cook chicken in 2 batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan and add more oil as needed.
- Arrange sautéed chicken in buttered casserole dish so they are flat and not overlapping too much.
- In a medium bowl, mix together 2/3 of your Mexican cheese, 1 cup sour cream and 2 cans of green chilis with their juice. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle the top with 1/3 remaining cheese and bake uncovered at 400˚F for 15 min or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling at the edges.
- Serve garnished with diced avocado, tomatoes and chopped cilantro.
Nutrition Per Serving
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Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I only have chicken thighs..should I cook them whole or cut into bite size pieces?
Thanks for all your great recipes you’re my “ go to “
Hi Cici! Either way would work. Just make sure they are evenly sized, cut them in half if they are too thick. Hope you love the recipe!
Hi Natasha,
I want to try to make this with rice, mixing in the sour cream and green chili. 20+ years ago my friends mom made a delicious rice with green chili and sour cream but she hasn’t ever remember the recipe unfortunately. What do you think if I were to use the amount of liquid for the rice and put the chicken and the sauce on top? I’m sure you won’t read this in time but I think I might give it a try…my husband usually eats anything so there’s no harm in trying.
At least if you think it’s worthy you may experiment with a recipe.
Your recipes NEVER disappoint so if I mess it up it’s on me. 💕
Hi Leanne! I would cook the rice first per the package instructions and then add it to the casserole dish and bake it.
Thank you for responding, I will make this next week and let you know how it turns out.
I’m looking forward to your feedback!
Hi, Leanne! Did you make this Mexican Chicken Casserole with the rice under the chicken? I was thinking of trying that and wondered how yours turned out?
I made this, yesterday. Another winner, Natasha. My family loved it!
I’m so glad it was enjoyed.
This is an easy and delicious weeknight meal and can easily be doubled for larger crowds. This casserole is a genius combination of few ingredients that makes a complete meal with a simple salad.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gregory!
The Mexican Chicken Casserole is the bomb dot com! I served this dish with Black Beans and Rice and Pico de Gallo. This recipe is very easy to make, and took no time at all to prepare. Thank you for sharing your recipe, Ms. Natasha! 😋
I’m so glad you loved it, Shawnae! Thank you for the feedback. 🙂
This was a quick and easy recipe! I feel that the avocado and tomato were a game changer! Another awesome recipe!
Thank you for your lovely review, Katie! This is a must-have dish!
This was a total hit! Doubled the reciple and got positive comments from almost everyone who had it! Thanks again Natasha!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Mark! I’m so glad it was a hit!
Hey Natasha! it’s me Nathasha!!! crazy right but hey! absolutely loved your recipe
Hello there Nathasha. Glad you loved this recipe, I hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes that you will try!
I’ve made several times now. I do cut up the chicken and I add a can of black beans over the chicken before the sauce is added.
Sounds delicious! 🙂
I made this for my family tonight, served it with rice and pinto beans. It was a hit! Everyone loved it. Thank you for another amazing recipe!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Ana!
will absolutely be trying this recipe–i will add taco seasoning to the chicken and put chopped green spring onion on top with all the other ingredients
ps making Tiramisu later today–Thank You
Sounds like a great plan. Enjoy and I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!