Chicken Tortilla Casserole (Cooked in the Microwave)
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Ready to eat in 10 minutes and filled with delicious flavorings like taco seasoning, green chiles, sour cream, tender chicken, and tortillas, this Mexican-inspired microwave chicken tortilla casserole recipe is a must-make for friends and family.
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite summer supper recipes. This easy chicken tortilla casserole recipe blissfully avoids heating up your house as it uses a microwave. This always surprises people when they taste it. I think folks expect a microwave casserole to be tough and chewy, but you’ll find this one is cooked just right.
I came upon this recipe in one of those little check-out cookbooks right after Ricky and I got married. Every recipe in that cookbook was good and wouldn’t you know, I lost it within the year ~laughs at her own disorganization~. Fortunately, I had this one memorized because I had made it so much! My husband and I love it and it also reheats well.
This Mexican casserole is packed with flavor, thanks to the taco seasoning, cilantro, green chiles, and french fried onions. It’s also ready to go from start to finish in under 10 minutes. So when it comes to easy casserole recipes, I don’t think you’ll find an easier one anywhere.
Now let’s get cooking so we can get back to enjoying all of those sacred summer moments with our family!
Recipe Ingredients
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Flour tortillas
- Chopped green chilies
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded chicken
- French fried onions
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Chicken Tortilla Casserole in the Microwave
Now let’s get started. This is SUPER easy and it’s gonna go fast so stay with me here :).
First, chop your fresh cilantro.
Then dump all of your ingredients into a large bowl.
Note: We’re saving half of the cheese and half of the onions for the topping.
Stir that all up until well combined – or close enough :).
It’s not like the world is gonna end if we don’t stir it just right.
Now take one of your tortillas, tear it into small pieces, and add that to the bowl also.
Stir it up again.
Place the other tortilla on the bottom of a microwave-safe pie plate.
Spoon your chicken mixture into it.
Microwave for five minutes.
Remove from microwave and top with remaining french fried onions…
and shredded cheese.
Return to the microwave for another minute or until cheese is melted.
Enjoy a flavor-packed casserole for supper in a cool kitchen!
Storage
As mentioned, these casserole leftovers reheat really well. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Once again, reheat in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
- I like to pick up a rotisserie chicken for a quick lunch on those crazy days. Usually, I can get one for the same price as an uncooked fryer so it’s like someone did the work for me. I just have some for lunch and save the rest for this casserole! Another great way to get chicken on the cheap is to buy leg quarters in ten-pound bags. I boil all of the leg quarters in a large stockpot, shred and bag the chicken, and then use the stock for chicken noodle soup or chicken stew.
- In saying that, you can use any kind of cooked chicken in this casserole recipe, including shredded chicken breast. Just as long as it’s about 2 cups, you’ll be good to go.
- While my chicken tortilla casserole tastes delicious on its own as a main dish, you can definitely add your favorite taco toppings on top. Like a dollop of sour cream, chopped , chopped , diced avocado or guacamole, salsa or , pico de gallo or , hot sauce, and lime juice.
- Feel free to substitute the cheddar cheese for your favorite. Monterey Jack cheese or a Mexican cheese blend would be perfect!
- While you can swap the tortillas for , you’ll need more to cover the base. They’re also crumblier, so be careful when serving.
Check out these other delicious chicken casserole recipes:
Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe
Cheesy Chicken and Corn Casserole
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken give or take, just use however much you have
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup french fried onions divided
- 4 ounces chopped green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 10-inch flour tortillas
Instructions
- Place the chicken, sour cream, half of the cheese, half of the onions, the chopped green chilies, taco seasoning, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. Stir well to combine. Tear one tortilla into small pieces and add to the bowl, stirring again until well incorporated.2 cups chicken, 8 ounces sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup french fried onions, 4 ounces chopped green chilies, 1 packet taco seasoning, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 2 10-inch flour tortillas
- Line a microwave-safe pie plate with the remaining tortilla and spoon the casserole mixture into it. Place in the microwave for five minutes. Remove and top with the remaining onions and shredded cheese. Microwave for one minute more or until cheese is melted. Enjoy!2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 10-inch flour tortillas, 1 cup french fried onions
Notes
Nutrition
Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way.
Say nothing, and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.”
– Max Lucado
Sweet Christy, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your cookbook and could feel your heart in it as I read it cover to cover. I cannot even stand to put it away. I ordered 2 more to share with my mom and mother-in-law. I loved the stories about you, your parents, and grandparents and how you grew up – it was so very familiar to the way my parents and i grew up – loved it!! Sending you a hug!
Oh Kristin, except for the ages, I’m sooooooo with ya! lol I feeeeeel for you girl. I bet you give yourself “time outs” like I do, too! It’s okay to go in the bathroom, turn on the air vent, and close your eyes while you count to ten 🙂 .
We are so very blessed, having all of the riches of the world living in the house with us. Mine are growing up so fast and I often tell them that is in direct defiance of my authority because I do NOT remember giving them permission to grow up!
Katy Rose Says she is going to live with me forever though 🙂 And Brady says “Ma, I gotta grow up sometime, but I’ll have kids and bring them to stay with you if you get lonely” lol
Thank you for putting up with my ramblings Kristin, and for taking the time to chat back 🙂 I cherish that!
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy,
I so enjoy reading your notes every day. I think it is wonderful that you are so positive! I sometimes get frustrated or stressed (stay-at-home mom of two under four and work-at-home full-time), but your notes help remind me to enjoy each day, especially the time with my girls!
Can’t wait to try this!
Kristin
Christy,
Two weeks ago today my dear Dad passed away. He and my Mom were married for 65 years and she is lost without him. Your words are especially meaningful to me today, ” Your mother who calls too much – one day you’d give anything to hear her voice one last time so savor it now”. So very true!
This recipe looks wonderful. I will definitely make it and share with my Mom.
It is SO hot here in Texas and I cannot bear to turn on the oven. I have today’s supper (dinner) in the slow cooker – one of your recipes! Take care and cherish every moment of your time with your family. God bless you.
Dear Wanda, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I know both of your parents were blessed to have you and your mother feels doubly so now. When my Grandaddy passed away, it was just me and Grandmama living together and we just really relied on each other, especially those first few months.
Thank you for being such an important part of the southern plate family. Sending out love and prayers to you and your precious Mama.
Gratefully,
Christy
oh girl, it’s funny …I have fixed much of the same stuff for years but now I have your book that shows that’s its good stuff and it has the Christy Seal of approval so he will eat anything I fix that’s in the cookbook LOL
I am very proud of him, he’s 17 and graduates tomorrow and is heading into the Army the day after he turns 18 in October. I am very blessed he’s a good kid! 🙂
I’m tellin’ ya Michelle, it sounds like you have raised an outstanding young man there! I’m proud of both of you!
We are so blessed!! Thank you for buying my book, too! I put my heart in it so when I hear someone has taken it to theirs it feels like one of my babies had found a good home!
Gratefully,
Christy
As always, you say exactly what I need to hear. Gotta stop complaining and start savoring. Thanks for the wonderful reminder 🙂
Girrrl we’ve all been there. I call us “trench buddies”! Thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone either!
Gratefully
Christy
My Oldest son graduates high School tomorrow and he told me he wants this for dinner and Oreo Truffles for dessert…..thanks fo remaking dinner so easy tomorrow!
Oh wow, Congratulations!! I know you’re so proud of him! I’m tickled to death he chose this!