Skip to Content

Fiesta Chicken Casserole

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It’s easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Are you looking for a delicious, easy-to-make chicken casserole recipe? This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight meal! It’s packed with flavor and the whole family will love it.

This fun and easy chicken casserole recipe is perfect for a busy weeknights! This fun and easy Fiesta Chicken Casserole is perfect for a weeknight meal! It’s made with chicken, pasta, and a creamy salsa sauce. Plus, it can be on the table in just 40 minutes.

Who doesn’t love a good casserole? This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is packed with flavor and perfect for your next potluck or family dinner. It’s perfect comfort food.

Serve this casserole with a simple green salad for a complete meal. Read on for the recipe!

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Why You Will LOVE this Fiesta Casserole

  • Super easy to make.
  • Loads of veggies
  • Super cheesy
  • Pasta is so comforting!
  • Tex-mex inspired, it’s full of flavour!
  • Great pantry meal
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

How to Cook Al Dente Pasta for a Casserole

Cooking pasta for a casserole is different than cooking them for a regular meal.

For a casserole, you will want to cook them “al dente,” which means they are still slightly firm to the bite. This will ensure that they don’t get too soft and mushy when baked in the casserole.

To cook the pasta al dente, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and then add the desired amount of pasta. Stir the pasta occasionally, and cook them for 8-10 minutes or until they are al dente. Al dente pasta will feel firm, not crunchy when you bite it.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain them in a colander and do not rinse. The starch left on the pasta will help the sauce stick.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Tips for the BEST Pasta Casserole

Use the right pasta – you really want to use a tubular pasta that has some shape or texture for everything to grip onto. That is why I recommend rotini, penne, or fusilli. Avoid long thin pasta as it can easily overcook in a casserole, and won’t hold onto the lovely sauce and cheese.

Al dente pasta – Make sure you slightly undercook your pasta since it will continue to cook in the oven.

Taste everything – It is a bit too late to taste the sauce after the casserole has baked. Taste and adjust before you bake the casserole.

Let your casserole rest – Give it 5-10 minutes after getting it out of the oven before you dig in.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Variations on this Fiesta Chicken Casserole Recipe

Change up the protein – Use cooked ground chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, or ground pork instead of the the chicken pieces. Swap in shredded pork or chicken. You cam use any cooked protein here really, just avoid raw meat.

Change up the Pasta – Aside from just using a different pasta shape, try using cooked rice instead.

Spice it up – Mix in some fresh jalapenos or a can of green chili peppers.

Load it with cheese – You can make this as cheesy as you like really. Just add more on top or in the mix!

Add a crunchy topping – Crushed tortilla chips topped with the melted cheese could add some fun texture.

Add More Veggies – Green bell peppers and/or red bell pepper still works with the southwestern flavors and can add some crispness to the casserole.

Swap the sour cream – Use cream cheese or a can of cream of chicken soup in place of the sour cream to make the creamy sauce. Making this swap will change the flavour.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Is this Casserole Spicy?

The spice level of this casserole is completely customizable. If your family don’t like spice then use mild taco seasoning, mild salsa, and regular Monterey jack cheese.

On the other hand, if you love spicy and are looking for loads of flavour, then use hot taco seasoning, hot salsa, and pepper jack cheese. You could also include a jar of hot green chilis or some picante sauce. You could also simply stir in chili powder.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

How to Store Leftover Fiesta Chicken Bake

Store leftover chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave or in the oven, covered, at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Can I Freeze This Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake?

Yes! Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheat in the microwave or in the oven, covered, at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Ingredients for chicken fiesta casserole

About the Ingredients for Fiesta Chicken Casserole

Pasta – I used rotini pasta, you could use other similar pasta shapes – fusilli, penne, etc.. are all great choices.

Sour cream – Full ft sour cream will give the best flavour but you can use light sour cream to cut down on the fat if you like.

Salsa – Thick and chunky salsa is the best bet here. Use your preferred heat level.

Seasoning – A taco seasoning packet, salt, and pepper bring a lot of flavour. You can use homemade taco seasoning as well.

Corn – I used canned corn but you could also use frozen corn. Fire roasted corn would be amazing.

Black beans – Canned black beans are easiest to use but you could use dried black beans? You would need to soak and then boil them though.

Chicken – You can use leftover chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or just cook up some pieces of chicken breasts. Do not use raw chicken, or other raw meat. It needs to be cooked.

Cheese – A mix of monterey jack and cheddar cheese, freshly grated is ideal. Pepper jack is a good substitute if you want a little more bite. Freshly grate your cheese, pre-shredded cheese is not particularly melty, or as tasty.

Garnish – Avocado, fresh tomato, jalapenos, cilantro, green chiles, green onions, or more sour cream are all great options. Anything you ,might enjoy on a taco works well here!

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Looking for More Easy Casserole Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite tasty casseroles!

This John Wayne Casserole recipe is easy to make and results in a hearty, comforting casserole dish with loads of south-west flavour!

This Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes recipe is inspired by the TikTok famous cherry tomato pasta recipe. It’s easy and delicious!

This Skillet Pizza Pasta Casserole is a one pot dish perfect for family dinner, this is food for kids that adults will love too.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

How to Make Fiesta Chicken Casserole

Yields: 6 Servings | Prep time: 5 Minutes | Cook time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained & rinsed
  • 2½ cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
  • Avocado, tomato, jalapenos, or cilantro for serving, optional

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°.

Cook pasta, to al dente, according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, combine the corn, black beans, chicken, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese in a large bowl.

Sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning combined in a bowl.

Combine sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning in a small mixing bowl.

Drain the pasta and add into the chicken mixture.

Pasta and chicken mixture poured into a casserole dish.

Pour the sour cream mixture into the large mixing bowl. Stir together to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cheese sprinkled over the unbaked casserole.

Scoop into a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle over with the remaining cheese. Cover with tin foil and cook for 20 minutes.

Take the tin foil off and let cook an additional 5 minutes uncovered.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Serve with sour cream, tomato, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices if desired.

Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Yield: 6 Servings

Fiesta Chicken Casserole

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained & rinsed
  • 2½ cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
  • Avocado, tomato, jalapenos, or cilantro for serving, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°.
  2. Cook pasta, to al dente, according to package directions.
  3. While pasta is cooking, combine the corn, black beans, chicken, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese in a large bowl.
  4. Combine sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning in a small mixing bowl.
  5. Drain the pasta and add into the chicken mixture.
  6. Pour the sour cream mixture into the large bowl. Stir together to combine.
  7. Scoop into a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle over with the remaining cheese. Cover with tin foil and cook for 20 minutes.
  8. Take the tin foil off and let cook an additional 5 minutes uncovered.
  9. Serve with sour cream, tomato, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices if desired.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 494Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 1145mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 7gSugar: 8gProtein: 23g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag your creations with #FrugalMomEh on Instagram & subscribe for more!

Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a fun twist on the traditional chicken and noodle casserole. It's easy to make, and full of Tex-Mex flavours!

Skip to Recipe