Enticing 30-Minute Chicken Taco Bake to Capture Your Affections
Chicken Taco Casserole: A Delicious and Nutritious Meal Option
Preparing a delicious and nutritious Chicken Taco Casserole has never been easier. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create this mouth-watering dish.
Preparation
Before you start, it's essential to dry the beans thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole bottom.
When it comes to the protein source, ground chicken can be used instead of shredded chicken. Brown it first with a teaspoon of oil, drain off the excess, and then mix it in.
Ingredients and Substitutes
The recipe for Chicken Taco Casserole is not attributed to a specific person. However, you can find the list of ingredients below, along with some handy substitutes.
For the taco seasoning, if it's not available, you can make a homemade substitute with 1/2 teaspoon each of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne.
Assembly
The casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and stored in the fridge. When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Layer your ingredients in a baking dish, starting with a base of tortillas, followed by a layer of the ground chicken mixture, black beans, corn, and cheese. Repeat this process until all ingredients are used up.
Baking
Bake the casserole for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Remember to reserve a handful of cheese to sprinkle on during the last 5 minutes of baking for a perfect golden crust.
Serving and Storing
Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the layers to settle and prevent a sloppy mess. Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes to prevent the tortillas from getting soggy.
The Chicken Taco Casserole provides a fiber boost of 6g per serving due to the black beans and corn. It contains approximately 350 calories, 25g protein, 35g carbs, and 12g fat per serving.
Tips and Tricks
If your tortillas are soggy, it may be due to a wet filling or skipping the resting time after baking. To prevent this, let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving.
If your tortillas are stale, spritz them with water before layering for them to soften up beautifully in the oven.
The casserole keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you'd like to freeze it, you can do so for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Enjoy your Chicken Taco Casserole!
