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    Home » Main Dish Recipes » Casseroles » Mexican Chicken Casserole

    Mexican Chicken Casserole

    5 Ingredient RecipesGluten & Grain Free RecipesLow Carb & Keto RecipesTrim Healthy Mama Recipes

    Published: Aug 16, 2021 by Taryn

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
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    pinterest image for mexican chicken casserole

    My easy keto Mexican Chicken Casserole is excellent in a low carb tortilla, in crisp lettuce wraps, in cheese taco shells, or on a bed of cauliflower rice. Top with a dollop of sour cream and some cilantro for the perfect main dish. This easy chicken casserole recipe is low carb, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, Trim Healthy Mama, and family friendly.

    casserole dish of Mexican chicken casserole with a spoon from overhead

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    It's been a while since I added a new 5 ingredient, 5-minute prep dinner entree to my repertoire. After shredding a few chicken breasts I couldn't decide what to do with the shredded chicken for dinner. My fallback is always Mexican. My kids love making their own tacos no matter what type of meat I have prepared. They scoop some into a tortilla or taco shell, add their favorite toppings, and gobble it up.

    With just 5 ingredients and only 5 minutes of prep time, this low carb keto Mexican chicken is a cinch to whip up. It also only needs to bake for 20 minutes. If you have shredded chicken ready to use you can have a complete nutritious low carb dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

    Some of our other favorite Mexican dishes are Baked Chicken Fajitas, Keto Chicken Enchiladas, Instant Pot Carnitas, Keto Chile Relleno Casserole, Taco Zucchini Boats, and Crockpot Chicken Tacos. There are enough choices that you could make 2 or 3 of my Mexican easy keto recipes and have a whole themed buffet.

    plate of Mexican chicken casserole servings on lettuce leafs next to sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream from above. plate is set next to a fork and decorative napkin, stack of plates and casserole dish with spoon.

    Ingredients

    Cooked Chicken - Leftover chicken, cubed grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or pulled chicken all work well. Or change it up and sub in pulled pork.

    Salsa - Mild salsa, medium salsa, tomatillo salsa, or hot salsa. Choose what you like! We normally use medium salsa.

    Cream Cheese - I use regular full-fat cream cheese but low-fat should work as well.

    Cheddar Cheese - Or you can use a Mexican cheese blend.

    Chipotle Powder - This adds a nice smoky heat to the casserole.

    individual ingredients including cooked chicken in a casserole dish, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, cream cheese and ground chipotle

    How To Make Keto Mexican Chicken Casserole

    This low carb Mexican chicken casserole is SO simple to make, and it only takes 25 minutes and 5 ingredients to whip up a batch. Take a peek at these simple steps:

    First Step: Heat up the oven to 400 degrees. Then grease an 8x8 baking dish. 

    overhead view of two bowls, one with shredded chicken and a small one with shredded cheese

    Second Step: Mix together the chicken, cream cheese, salsa, 4 ounces of the cheddar cheese, and ½ teaspoon of ground chipotle pepper. Once combined well, pour it into the prepared casserole dish. Add the rest of the cheese to the top and add the ground chipotle pepper to the top. 

    baking dish before baking topped with shredded cheese from above

    Third Step: Bake the Mexican shredded chicken casserole for 20 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!

    close up of spoon scooping a serving of Mexican Chicken casserole from the dish with cheese strings dripping off spoon

    Mexican Chicken Casserole Variations

    If you are in the mood for something different, consider adding in a few other ingredients. It’s always fun to try out new variations of the same low carb recipes. Here are some ideas to consider next time you make this keto Mexican chicken casserole. 

    • Onions - Chop up some onions and toss them in with the casserole ingredients. If you love onions, then they are a great option to add.
    • Olives - If you are a huge olive fan, then toss in a few diced black olives! You can also slice them or keep them whole. Both ways work great. 
    • Jalapeno - Kick up the heat a little bit by adding some chopped peppers. Be sure to remove the seeds before adding them to the casserole. Or mix a can of green chiles into the chicken mixture.
    • Cheese - We usually use cheddar cheese, but you can also add in other varieties if you want. Pepper Jack, Colby, and mozzarella are all great options to consider. 
    • Beans & Corn - If you are doing Trim Healthy Mama you can add a can of black beans and a garnish amount of corn. Or serve in corn tortillas for a healthy crossover.
    • Tortilla Chips - Crushed tortilla chips are a great addition. Just sprinkle some on top of this creamy chicken casserole after baking or on individual servings. You can easily make low carb chips by baking low carb tortillas until they are crispy.
    • Seasonings - Feel free to add some garlic powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, or onion powder when you add the chipotle.

    Best Toppings For Keto Mexican Chicken

    Toppings always make everything even more delicious! Here are a few toppings that I think you will love with this taco casserole. 

    • Lettuce - Add some nutrients and color to your plate by sprinkling on some shredded lettuce. Opt for dark leafy varieties to get the most nutrients. 
    • Tomatoes - Dice up some tomatoes or use some cherry or grape tomatoes to add some extra flavor. You can even top with a little more fresh low carb salsa.
    • Sour Cream - A dollop of sour cream is a must when eating anything Mexican-inspired. It’s so good and enhances the dish. 
    • Green Onions - If you love to add green onions to all your meals, be sure to add them to this one too. They will give you lots of colors, and they taste great too. 
    • Cilantro - If you are a fan of cilantro, then you already know how good it tastes on melted cheese and juicy meats. Try it on this casserole dish for a pleasant surprise. 
    • Crushed Keto Tortilla Chips - These are great on top of a salad using chicken from this Mexican casserole. Pork rinds work too!

    plate of Mexican chicken casserole servings on lettuce leafs next to sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream. plate is set next to a halved avocado with the pit, stack of plates and casserole dish

    Common Questions

    What Kind Of Chicken Should I Use?

    You can use any chicken you want as long as it’s cooked and shredded. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic option. You just need to take the meat off the bone and shred it with a couple of forks. Another idea is to cook chicken breasts or thighs to your liking and add it to the casserole. I will bake the chicken in the casserole dish first, remove it and shred it, mix it with the other ingredients, and then add it right back to the same baking dish! Either way will work well.

    What is Ground Chipotle Pepper?

    The special ingredient in this recipe is Ground Chipotle Pepper. It adds smokiness and heat. I first tasted chipotle at least a dozen years ago at my local Trader Joe's. They were making quesadillas with chipotle salsa, canned chicken, and cheese. I simply had to buy all the ingredients after one bite of that sample. That simple meal became one of our favorite quick meals.

    I took the same flavors of those quesadillas and turned them into an easy low carb main dish.

    Can I Use Taco Seasoning?

    My Easy Mexican Chicken Casserole with Chipotle has a bit of a kick. It wasn't too spicy for my kids but if yours are sensitive to heat you can cut back on the chipotle seasoning or use a homemade taco seasoning or keto fajita seasoning instead. You can even mix in my keto enchilada sauce.

    How to serve Mexican Chicken Casserole

    The first night we ate this Mexican chicken bake I just ate mine with a fork and a side salad. But when I was looking at the leftovers the next night I decided to whip up some cheese taco shells for a fun option. These are really easy to make but do take a little practice. My first few were not nearly as pretty as the ones in the photos.

    Simply, heat a frying pan and add some shredded cheddar cheese into the center in a circle. Cook over medium until the cheese is melted and browned. Flip carefully. Cook for another minute. Transfer to some random kitchen item you can use to make it cool into a taco shape. I used a large stainless steel pastry scraper that has a rounded end. The end almost looks like the mold for a cannoli. Who can resist some Mexican cheesy chicken served in a taco shell made from cheese? Definitely not me.

    Can I Double this Recipe?

    Certainly! This Mexican chicken casserole is a huge crowd-pleaser among my family friendly recipes. All you need to do is multiply the ingredients by the number of people you are feeding. My recipe will feed 8 people easily. You may need to work in batches if you are making more than double just so you don’t overcrowd your oven. You could consider keeping it warm by placing it into a roasting pan or slow cooker. Don’t turn the heat up very high; you just want to keep it warm while the guests are filling their plates. This is fantastic for potlucks and get-togethers. It is a great unique option to add to a taco bar!

    hand holding a lettuce wrapped serving of Mexican chicken casserole close up

     

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    plate of Mexican chicken casserole servings on lettuce leafs next to sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream from above. plate is set next to a fork and decorative napkin, stack of plates and casserole dish with spoon.

    Mexican Chicken Casserole

    My easy Keto Mexican Chicken Casserole with Chipotle is excellent in a low carb tortilla, in crisp lettuce wraps, or on a bed of cauliflower rice. Top with a dollop of sour cream for the perfect entree.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 313
    Author: Taryn

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups chicken shredded
    • 8 oz cream cheese softened
    • 16 oz salsa
    • 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
    • ¾ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper or taco seasoning
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
    • Combine the chicken, cream cheese, salsa, half the shredded cheese, and ½ tsp ground chipotle pepper. Mix well. Put in the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle on the ground chipotle pepper.
    • Bake for 20 min or until hot and bubbly.

    Notes

    Nutrition: this casserole has 8 servings. The nutrition facts are for one serving. I do not weigh portions, I just eye it up when serving. There are 3.1 NET carbs per serving. Just make sure to choose a salsa without added sugar.
    Substitutions: you can exchange the chicken for ground beef, ground turkey, or even shredded pork. They all give the dish a different flavor and texture. 
    Prep Time: cook the chicken ahead of time. Prepare the ingredients in a baking dish and store it in the fridge until you are ready to heat up. It should be cooked within 24 hours for best results.
    To Reheat: reheat the leftover Mexican chicken casserole in the microwave. You could also warm it up in your oven 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until it’s hot all the way through. Once heated through, serve. 
    To Freeze: freeze the whole casserole in a sealed container or place it into single-serving containers. Keep a lid on tightly, and it will last up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before serving. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313 | Carbohydrates: 3.8g | Protein: 17.1g | Fat: 25.6g | Saturated Fat: 13.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7.8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 92.7mg | Sodium: 302.6mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 2.6g | Vitamin A: 1252IU | Vitamin C: 8.4mg | Calcium: 243.1mg | Iron: 0.9mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @joyfilledeats or tag #joyfilledeats!

    Originally Published April 20, 2018. Revised and Republished August 16, 2021.

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    Comments

    1. Cheryl Medlin says

      January 22, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      I made this for dinner tonight, but I added leftover cauliflower rice to the casserole itself. It was so yummy. It will be fun to play around with other things to add, like leftover roasted cauliflower or broccoli. And different types of salsa! All the options!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Donna Henderson says

      May 24, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      Your picture of the casserole is in a 8 or 9 inch square baking dish but your directions say to use a 9 x 13 baking dish. Which is correct, please?

      Reply
      • Krista says

        June 19, 2022 at 5:43 pm

        That’s what I was wondering. I’m going to use the 8x8 and if it looks overfull I’ll switch it to the 9x13

        Reply
        • Taryn says

          June 20, 2022 at 11:01 am

          I've used both. When I originally made this I used a 9x13. When I redid the photos more recently I used a 9x9 instead. Either works 🙂

    3. Arleen says

      June 29, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      Can you do it in the microwave instead of heating up the oven in the summer?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        June 29, 2020 at 10:16 pm

        Sure! I wouldn't cook the chicken in the microwave but you can heat the casserole that way if you have chicken already cooked. Or use a slow cooker or instant pot.

        Reply
    4. Gail Gebert says

      May 10, 2020 at 10:16 am

      Simple, delicious. We ate it with a salad but plan on filling low carb wraps tomorrow.
      Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Barbara Benton says

      April 19, 2020 at 10:19 am

      We loved this. I used leftover turkey and monterey cheese. Delish! Definitely will make again. So easy to make!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Manda says

      March 09, 2020 at 1:13 am

      Can you add cauliflower rice to this dish?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        March 09, 2020 at 11:00 am

        Sure!

        Reply
    7. Dona says

      June 20, 2019 at 10:23 pm

      Delicious!! I added a few sliced black olives before baking & then a few thin slices of avocado after it came out of the oven, along with the sour cream & cilantro. Everyone went crazy for it! Definitely a keeper!5 stars

      Reply
    8. Katie Richmond says

      February 06, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      Could you make this with ground beef?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        February 06, 2019 at 7:53 pm

        Sure! I have a taco casserole with ground turkey or beef too. https://joyfilledeats.com/taco-casserole

        Reply
        • Katie Richmond says

          February 08, 2019 at 10:37 am

          Thank you!

    9. LCP says

      February 02, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Used Trader Joe’s cheddar pub cheese with horseradish because I didn’t have regular cheddar. Had already cooked a whole chicken so shredded some of that. Added some black olives because why not? So delicious and easy. Superhubs says it is his favorite keto recipe so far in our three week stint. Thank you.5 stars

      Reply
    10. Kim says

      August 15, 2018 at 5:35 pm

      Could this be done in the Crock-Pot?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        August 16, 2018 at 3:45 pm

        Yes. I like to cook the chicken and drain it before adding the other ingredients so the sauce doesn't get thinned out from the cooking liquid.

        Reply
    11. Lauren says

      July 12, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      What kind of salsa is being used?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        July 12, 2018 at 8:13 pm

        I honestly don't remember. Sorry! I just buy whatever brand is on sale that doesn't have added sugar. Most salsa is fine.

        Reply
        • Cailabrooke says

          August 12, 2018 at 4:13 pm

          @tarynasays does work with green salsa, salsa verde??

        • Taryn says

          August 13, 2018 at 1:37 pm

          Yes, that would be yummy!

    12. michele says

      June 15, 2018 at 2:18 am

      This was outstanding.... it smelled so good and tasted even better. I made it and served it over lettuce! A perfect summer dinner!5 stars

      Reply
    13. Sandra Shaffer says

      June 15, 2018 at 12:41 am

      We love the spice, so this will be perfect casserole for us. I hope to have leftovers to give those cheesy tacos a try too!5 stars

      Reply
    14. Frank Lomas says

      June 13, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      Chicken is precooked?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        June 13, 2018 at 9:25 pm

        Yes, I used leftover shredded chicken.

        Reply
    15. Olivia says

      May 03, 2018 at 11:41 am

      How many servings is this recipe for. Ty.

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        May 03, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        Hi Olivia, This has 8 servings. Servings are listed at the top of the recipe box right under course and cuisine.

        Reply

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