Doritos Chicken Casserole Recipe

The Doritos Chicken Casserole. A dish that divides opinions and ignites taste buds in equal measure. Some scoff at its “inauthenticity,” while others, like Ashley Rawls who shared this recipe, find themselves won over “at Doritos!” after just one bite.

This casserole’s magic lies in its simplicity. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors – the salty crunch of Doritos, the juicy tenderness of chicken, the creamy richness of cheese and soup, and the vibrant tang of salsa. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal that comes together quickly. Plus, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, especially among kids (and adults who are secretly still kids at heart).

Why This Recipe?

There are many Doritos Chicken Casserole recipes floating around the internet, but Ashley Rawls’ version caught our eye for a few reasons. First, it boasts a near-perfect rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 based on over 100 reviews – a testament to its deliciousness. Second, the ingredient list is familiar and approachable, featuring pantry staples and readily available ingredients. Finally, the recipe is straightforward and requires minimal prep time, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients to Make Doritos Chicken Casserole

This recipe is incredibly forgiving and easily adaptable to your preferences. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you dive in:

The Doritos: Nacho cheese Doritos are the classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other flavors like Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or even a mix! Just remember to crush them to a coarse crumb – you want a bit of chip in every bite.
The Chicken: Pre-cooked chicken is the way to go here for convenience. You can shred rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, use leftover chicken breasts, or even poach some chicken breasts specifically for the casserole.
The Cheese: Ashley uses a Mexican cheese blend, but feel free to get creative. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack would all work well. You can even use a combination of cheeses for extra flavor.
The Salsa: This recipe calls for 1 ½ cups of salsa, but the amount you use can be adjusted to your spice preference. If you like things mild, use a mild salsa. If you crave a kick, go for a medium or hot salsa.
The Extras: Feel free to add your own personal touch to this recipe. Chopped green chilies, black beans, cornbread stuffing mix, or even a sprinkle of chili powder would all be delicious additions.

Instructions to Make Doritos Chicken Casserole Recipe

(Alright, technically the first step is preheating the oven to 350°F, but you get the idea!)

Prep the Pan and the Chips: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a separate bowl, crush the Doritos using a rolling pin or food processor. You want a mix of coarse crumbs and smaller pieces for textural variety.
Assemble the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, salsa, drained corn, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Stir everything together until well incorporated.
Layer It Up: Spread half of the crushed Doritos in an even layer on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Pour the chicken mixture over the Doritos, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
The Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the chicken mixture.
Baking Time! Pop the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly on top, and the edges might be slightly golden brown.
Dinner is Served! Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before digging in. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for an extra pop of flavor.

Recipe Variations

The beauty of this casserole is its adaptability. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Spicy Doritos Chicken Taco Casserole: Substitute the salsa for your favorite taco sauce and add a teaspoon of chili powder and a half teaspoon of cumin to the filling for a smoky, Tex-Mex twist. Top the casserole with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and dollops of guacamole before serving.
Supreme Doritos Chicken Casserole: Add a can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel) to the filling for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Top the casserole with sliced black olives and chopped jalapenos for a supreme experience.
Cheesy Doritos Chicken Enchilada Casserole: Swap the salsa for enchilada sauce and top the casserole with chopped green chilies and crumbled queso fresco for a cheesy enchilada-inspired twist.
Creamy Poblano Doritos Chicken Casserole: Roast a couple of poblano peppers, peel and chop them, and add them to the filling for a smoky and slightly spicy variation. To balance the spice, increase the sour cream to 12 ounces.
Healthy-ish Doritos Chicken Casserole: Lighten things up by using reduced-fat versions of the cheese and sour cream. You can also substitute half of the Doritos with crushed whole-wheat crackers or tortilla chips for a bit more fiber.

Tips and Tricks

For an extra crispy topping, reserve some of the crushed Doritos and sprinkle them over the casserole before the final 5 minutes of baking.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can substitute it with an equal amount of cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup.
This casserole is also freezer-friendly! Assemble the casserole completely (without baking), cover it tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking according to the recipe instructions.

The Verdict: Doritos Chicken Casserole – A Weeknight Win

The Doritos Chicken Casserole is a delicious, easy, and versatile dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be easily adapted to your preferences. So next time you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try. You might just surprise yourself with how much you love it!

Bonus: Fun Facts About Doritos

Doritos were first created in 1966 by Arch West, a salesman for Frito-Lay who noticed Mexican restaurants serving a similar style of chip.
The original flavor of Doritos was Nacho Cheese, which remains the most popular flavor to this day.
There have been over 100 different flavors of Doritos released worldwide throughout the brand’s history.
In 2006, a bag of Doritos was sent into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

919	Calories
56g	Fat
69g	Carbs
39g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 919
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 56g	71%
Saturated Fat 22g	109%
Cholesterol 121mg	40%
Sodium 2089mg	91%
Total Carbohydrate 69g	25%
Dietary Fiber 6g	20%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 39g	78%
Vitamin C 2mg	2%
Calcium 475mg	37%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 713mg	15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.