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.

Mexican Chicken Casserole garnished with avocado, tomato and cilantro

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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:

Ingredients for Chicken Casserole

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.

Step by step instructions for making Mexican chicken casserole

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.

Baked Mexican Chicken Casserole with fresh tomatoes and avocados on top

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes:

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.

P.S. Have you subscribed to our Youtube Channel yet? Once you do, click the bell icon to be notified when we post a new video. THANK YOU for subscribing!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

5 from 114 votes
Mexican Chicken Casserole on towel
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.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 people

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

338kcal Calories6g Carbs32g Protein21g Fat9g Saturated Fat114mg Cholesterol842mg Sodium680mg Potassium3g Fiber2g Sugar570IU Vitamin A22.2mg Vitamin C245mg Calcium1.4mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Mexican Chicken Casserole
Amount per Serving
Calories
338
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Cholesterol
 
114
mg
38
%
Sodium
 
842
mg
37
%
Potassium
 
680
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
32
g
64
%
Vitamin A
 
570
IU
11
%
Vitamin C
 
22.2
mg
27
%
Calcium
 
245
mg
25
%
Iron
 
1.4
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: mexican chicken casserole
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 338
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

5 from 114 votes (67 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • gaetane
    April 15, 2020

    instead of sour cream what can I used is-it possible to use mayo or philadelphia cheese…

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 15, 2020

      Hello there, I haven’t tried anything else so I can’t say if something like Greek yogurt or mayo would stay cream or separate in the sauce. If you want to do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

      • Maureen
        May 5, 2020

        We made the receipe. Enjoyed it very much but was very runny. How do you avoid it from being so runny.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          May 5, 2020

          Hi Maureen, I haven’t had that experience. There should be some sauce to it but not runny. Was anything altred in the recipe?

          Reply

  • Joe Rubino
    April 13, 2020

    Love the Mexican chicken
    Thank you Joe .

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 13, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that Joe! Thank you for that wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Mary
    March 5, 2020

    Can you freeze?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 5, 2020

      Hi Mary, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Shelly
    February 9, 2020

    I sub out green chiles for a can of Rotel. Family loves it even our 4 year old.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 9, 2020

      Nice! Thanks for sharing and for the tip!

      Reply

  • JULIE A PATTERSON
    February 7, 2020

    I have tried your cheese steak sandwiches and they are so good, i have tried the chichen terrazinne and it was wonderful. tonight is chicken enchilada.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 7, 2020

      Very nice thank you for sharing that Julie. Tonight is going to be a good night then!

      Reply

  • Erin
    February 3, 2020

    Thanks for our new weeknight dinner, Judy and Natasha! We make this at least once a week (twice if I’m lucky). So delicious every time 😊

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 3, 2020

      Hi Erin. Glad to know that this recipe is a favorite! Thank you for your feedback.

      Reply

    • Judy
      January 15, 2025

      Thanks so much Erin. It’s still a fav at my house as well…easy ,fast and yummy

      Reply

  • Tammy
    January 23, 2020

    Awesome, easy recipe! So I totally thought that cream cheese was part of the sauce and added it in, as well as a can of drained black beans. It made it a bit soupier but just as delicious! I topped with avocado and homemade pickled red onions! I took a photo before it was devoured but can’t seem to load it on here.
    Saw reviews about it being spicy, I didn’t think that was the case, nor did my toddler and 11 month old!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 23, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that! Isn’t it the best when kids and the adults love the same recipe!

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    January 22, 2020

    Loved this dish. Made it tonight for dinner & loved how easy it was & delicious it tasted. Thank you for the great recipe. I will definitely add this to my staple recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 22, 2020

      You’re welcome, Jennifer! Thank you for that awesome review.

      Reply

  • Maria
    January 22, 2020

    I will do this at work, however, it will be a little too Swedish, as I do not find any Mexican cheese.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 22, 2020

      I hope you love it Maria!

      Reply

    • Stephanie Oconnor
      March 9, 2020

      Its fiesta shredded cheese. Not all stores carry it titled “mexican cheese” so look for Mexican and if u cant find that look for fiesta.

      Reply

      • Judy
        January 15, 2025

        My original recipe uses monterey jack cheese

        Reply

  • wendy A Kooi
    January 4, 2020

    Again another delish recipe.We both loved it. Sure glad I found you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 5, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Hallie
    December 12, 2019

    Just made this tonight for my hubs and it’s the first Natasha recipe I’ve used. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS. This one will be in my monthly rotation for sure. I used boneless skinless thighs and sprinkled them with cumin. Topped with cubed avocado, we loved it. It truly does satisfy my Mexican food craving. Thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 12, 2019

      Sounds like you found a new family favorite, Hallie! Thank you for that awesome feedback!

      Reply

  • Gray B
    November 19, 2019

    Quick, easy, tastes authentic and kids ate it. I used the Ortega brand as pictured for the chilies and didn’t have a problem with consistency. Also didn’t cook chicken all the way through on the skillet but baked it a bit longer at lower temperature and it wasn’t dry. Paired with Mexican rice/tomato sauce. Will definitely make again

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 19, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Gray!

      Reply

  • Maria Robinson
    November 10, 2019

    Fantastic casserole Natasha!! We had our nephew and his fiance over for supper last night and they loved it as did my husband and myself.It was so quick to throw together and very tasty. I will be making it again soon. I couldn’t get the green chilies in can so I added canned jalapenos with liquid and it was great.I also added black olives and green onions to the top. I love your sight and your fun to watch.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 11, 2019

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!

      Reply

  • Jenny
    October 8, 2019

    Perfect weeknight dinner! Tasty, easy and versatile.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 8, 2019

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Jenny!

      Reply

  • Eve
    October 7, 2019

    Hi Natasha,
    Can I substitute low fat sour cream? Or is there a reason you recommend full fat?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 8, 2019

      Hi Eve, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

      Reply

  • Becky
    September 3, 2019

    This was delicious! I am desperate to find out which can opener you used! Maybe a link from amazon? Thank you so much!

    Reply

  • Kerri Pieper
    August 15, 2019

    If I use Rotisserie chicken will it be over cooked after being in the oven & would I tear into smaller pieces?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 15, 2019

      Hi Kerri, I think the meat from a single rotisserie chicken would work great here. maybe break the chicken breasts into 2-4 smaller pieces and include the thighs as well. I would add enough chicken to cover the bottom of the casserole dish to no more than 1″ thickness of chicken pieces. Let me know how it goes. I love the idea of using a rotisserie chicken – even easier!

      Reply

    • Dianne
      April 21, 2020

      I use rotisserie chicken for this dish every time. Always delish and a time saver! I added a bag of frozen fire roasted corn this time -and yum! We like it as a hot dip with tortilla chips or stuffed into a flour tortilla like a burrito!

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        April 21, 2020

        That’s a great idea, Dianne! Thank you for sharing that with us!

        Reply

  • Donna
    August 6, 2019

    Hello, Natasha, I tried this Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe since it looks very delicious…however, the chicken did not turned out to be very tender. 🙁
    Please, advise how to make it juicy and tender.
    Thanks so much,
    Donna

    Reply

    • Natasha
      August 6, 2019

      Hi Donna, be sure not to overcook the chicken when it is on the skillet. I double-check with an instant-read thermometer to make sure I am not overcooking.

      Reply

      • Katie
        April 13, 2020

        I had the same issue except it wasn’t overcooked but more undercooked

        Reply

  • Jayshree
    July 29, 2019

    Hi Natasha love your recipes. Where can I find these can chilies or can I substitute

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 29, 2019

      Hi, the canned chilis are in most grocery stores, usually located in the Mexican food aisle/section. If your grocery store does not have a Mexican food aisle, try the canned vegetable section.

      Reply

  • Beverly graves
    July 23, 2019

    I made that Mexican chicken dish exactly how you said but it turned out watery.
    How do I get it to turn out like yours dryer and cheesy?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 23, 2019

      Hi Beverly, I’m more than happy to troubleshoot! I haven’t had that happen, I wonder if that was due to the canned green chilis? Some of our readers mentioned some cans were more watery than others.

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.