Dorito Chicken Casserole: An easy, comforting, cheesy recipe that will be on repeat for meal planning during the week!
I don’t know what it is about cheesy casseroles but they seem to always be a family favorite! Like this Broccoli Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, and ham casserole. Or, this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole and this Stove-Top Chicken Stuffing Casserole have been a dinner favorite around here, with other chicken casserole recipes too!
Get ready for an ultra-easy dinner recipe in this Doritos Chicken Casserole. It’s packed full of simple ingredients and delicious flavors.
If chicken casseroles are your thing, then you’ll also love this Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna, and this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta! If beef is more your style, I highly recommend the amazing flavor of a Big Mac Casserole.
Hey Fantabulosity fans! It’s Meg from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence with another delicious recipe you NEED to try as soon as possible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Doritos Chicken Casserole hits all these marks. It’s ridiculously easy to put together. Simply stir together the ingredients and spread it out in an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.
Top with crushed nacho cheese Doritos for all the flavor and crunchy texture. We use these in our Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing too, and talk about delicious!!
Although this casserole is baked in a smaller baking pan, it fills to the very top and is packed full of chicken, making it super filling and still worthy of feeding a decent-sized crowd.
Ingredients for Doritos Chicken Casserole
Let’s break down what you need for this Doritos Chicken Casserole:
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sour cream
- Canned corn
- Ro-tel
- Cooked Chicken (You can even make chicken breasts in the slow cooker!)
- Shredded pepper jack cheese
- Nacho Cheese Doritos – you’ll also love these in these Doritos Nachos!
Notes about Ingredients:
- Chicken: You’ll need cooked chicken for this Dorito chicken casserole recipe. Leftover chicken works great if you have some hanging out in the refrigerator.
I love using rotisserie chicken in these types of recipes. It’s ready to go, delicious, and costs the same, if not less, than buying the chicken and cooking it yourself. Plus, I’m able to make rotisserie chicken stock out of the carcass and use it for later!
You can choose to either dice or shred the chicken in this recipe, whichever you prefer. - Cheese: The cheese that you use in the recipe is flexible as well. I wanted to add a little kick and some extra flavor so I went with pepper jack cheese.
If you or your family members don’t like spicy food, you can definitely substitute in Monterey jack or cheddar cheese. It will be a little less spicy but still be packed with flavor. - Rotel: The can of Ro-tel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) also adds some spiciness so keep that in mind when you’re choosing what cheese to add to the casserole. And it gives so much flavor to the casserole. Get an extra can of Rotel to make this Rotel pasta this week too!
How to Make Doritos Chicken Casserole
This recipe truly couldn’t get easier. (Well, this taquito casserole may actually be easier but I digress.) The most time-consuming part of the whole thing is chopping or shredding the chicken.
After the chicken is prepped, mix all the ingredients except for the Doritos and 1 cup of cheese in a large bowl. Spread the mixture into a baking pan, top with reserved cup of cheese and sprinkle with crushed Doritos.
PRO TIP: You’ll want to place the casserole on a big baking sheet before placing it in the oven. The casserole dish will be filled to the rim so this is done as a precautionary measure in case it bubbles over a little. That way it will be on the baking sheet and not in the bottom of your oven.
Lastly, cover the dish with foil for the first 25 minutes of baking to prevent the Doritos from burning.
Doritos Flavors
For me, the best option for this Doritos Chicken Casserole is the original nacho cheese Doritos. But because I love you I did a little Doritos research to discover some other delicious flavors for topping this casserole.
I mean, Doritos may be one of my guilty pleasures since childhood so it wasn’t a bad gig to take on.
If you like things really spicy, the Spicy Nacho or Flaming Hot Nacho flavors would be a delicious topping option.
A more mild option that would be so delicious with the flavor profile going on would be the Taco Doritos. They would mesh really well with the chicken and corn and pepper jack cheese.
FAQs
Here are some common questions that you may have, that we’d love to answer for you:
You can mix everything and place it in the baking dish, except the chips, and refrigerate until ready to bake. It’s not a good idea to add the chips beforehand because they’ll get soggy.
If you have leftover casserole, allow it to fully cool and then cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container and then store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can! Make everything as directed until it’s time to put the crushed chips on top. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. When ready to eat it, place the frozen casserole in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. When baking, top with chips and bake according to directions.
Need More Dinner Ideas?
If you’re looking for more easy dinners to add to your collection, check out this hamburger hashbrown casserole that is a reader favorite. We think you’ll also love this Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot, Lasagna Stuffed Chicken, and this chicken and gravy recipe!
Recipe
Doritos Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 22.6 ounces can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 15.25 ounce can corn drained
- 10 ounce can Ro-tel, drained diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 4 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
- 3 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
- 2 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, corn, Ro-tel, chicken and 2 cups of pepper jack cheese.
- Spread into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan. Set on top of a baking sheet to prevent spills in your oven.
- Sprinkle remaining cup of pepper jack onto the casserole. Spread the crushed Doritos evenly over the cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Sherri M. Bagwell says
I’ve been making this casserole for almost 20 years. Everybody in our family loves it. If my grown children hear I’m planning on making it, you can guarantee they’ll ask if they can come to dinner. We rarely have leftovers! It’s just a tasty chicken casserole. I’ve taken it to dinner’s, family’s that just had a new baby. Everybody wants the recipe after trying it.
Jessica says
Awwww, I love that so much! I hope my kids come over when they grow up, just to have this casserole too! Haha, thank you for sharing!
Kim Tracy says
This recipe sounds good however is there a substitute for the Ro-Tel? I am unable to do spicy things like chiles. What would you recommend using in place of the Ro-Tel?
Jessica says
Hi there! I haven’t used anything but Ro-Tel but I’m assuming diced tomatoes would work, since Ro-Tel is diced tomatoes and green chilies. 🙂 I hope that helps!
Patty says
Although I added 4oz. cream cheese and used the variety of shredded cheese that I had on hand, the dish turned out amazing. We will definitely be having it for dinner again in the future.
Jessica says
Oh Patty, that’s so great to hear! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!
Mar says
What do you serve alongside it?
Jessica says
Hi Mar! I think green beans, chips/salsa, or even Texas toast are great ideas!
Jdunlap says
My husband’s co workers wanted me to make this and to make it go further, I added Spanish rice to the chicken mixture, made it so good
Jessica says
Yum!! Such a great idea, thank you for sharing!
Emily A Hicks says
Sounds delicious 😋
I want to make this, but I need a sour cream substitute… Any suggestions please?
Brenda Shropshire says
I often use plain yogurt as a substitute for sour cream. I like Greek Gods, Noosa, and Siggi.
C says
Looks delish. I make this but never thought of putting corn in it. I use the whole bag of doritos and put in a 9×13 pan. Best thing ever! Will have to try with the corn. Thanks for the great idea!
Jessica says
You’re so welcome! The corn can add great texture, and a touch of sweetness but you can definitely leave it out if you find that you like it better without. 🙂
Lora says
Just made this recipe after my sister told me about it. It’s great. I did add a tiny can of green chilies for extra flavor but I also used chicken fajita so it was very extra. Wonderful dish.
Jessica says
Yum!! Adding green chilies sounds amazing, thank you for sharing!
Larry says
With the amount of ingredients, There is no way this will fit in 8×8 or 9×9. I had to remove and place in a 13×9 and it was still too full. Not happy about that. Casserole turned out ok.
Jessica says
Hi Larry. I make this in a 9×9 baking dish a lot (as you can see in the video) so I’m not sure why it wouldn’t work in yours? It may be pushing it for an 8×8 but it fits comfortably in mine, and a lot of others who have tried it. But using a 13×9 should work too, although cooking time may vary since it will be baking a casserole that is more spread out. 🙂
Amber says
I found this recipe a few months ago looking for easy recipes involving chicken. This did not disappoint!!! My husband and I love it. I make it every other week now for dinner and we have the rest for leftover over 2 days. I sometimes omit the Doritos on top. Use tortilla or Doritos to dip and we use this as a dip mostly. Sooo good! Thank you for sharing.
Jessica says
Oh now that’s a fun idea to use it as a dip with the Doritos, instead! Genius!! I may have to try that. Thank you so much for taking the time to share and for leaving a review.
Rebecca says
Thanks so much for this recipe. Cooking it now, but in an 8×11.5 pan bc there is NO way all of this would fit into an 8×8 or 9×9. I re-read the amount of ingredients and I have no idea how all of it would’ve fit into a smaller pan! I cooked it for the 25 mins, felt the middle, still cold. I just bumped the temp up, we’ll see!
Jessica says
Hi Rebecca! I’ve made this quite a bit and it has fit in a 9×9 dish many times, so it should work for others but I’m sure it would work out in a 8×11.5 pan too! I hope you love it!
Michelle says
Hi! Thanks for posting this recipe. It sounds delicious! How do you think this recipe will fare if cut in half? Have you made a smaller portion ? Thank you 🙂
Jessica says
Hi Michelle! I haven’t tried making a half batch but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!
Taylor says
Can’t wait to try this! I plan on making this ahead of time and it will be in the fridge for a couple of days. Would you recommend waiting until just before baking to put the Doritos on top? Or do you think they will be ok on top of the casserole? I don’t want them to get too moist and lose their crunch – but maybe since they are being baked they won’t be soggy? IDK! Thoughts? Thanks!
Jessica says
Hi Taylor! I’d honestly wait to put them on top right before baking. I don’t think it would be the end of the world if you put them on ahead of time but I think it would be MUCH better right before. So, you could crunch them up ahead of time and place them in a bag, and then that way it’s super easy to pour them on right before baking! I hope that helps! Enjoy!
Taylor says
That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ll do that. Thanks for the advice!! 🙂
Dee says
Wow! My family loved this so much. I made it just the way the recipe was written, no additions made, and everyone had seconds.
Jessica says
Hi Dee!! I’m so glad to hear this and so glad you loved this casserole recipe. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and for leaving a review!
James Glaysbrook says
This is a family recipe that’s been passed down from my great-great-grandmother, and now the only person who makes it is my grandmother, and I wanted to keep this tradition going. I’m going to fix it either today or tomorrow.
V. Little says
Do you drain the corn and rotel??
Jessica says
Hi there. Yes, you do drain the rotel and the corn. It says that in the ingredients area but I could also put it in the instructions too in case that’s helpful. 🙂 Thank you!
Lisalia says
This recipe is a family favorite. We can all agree on Doritos and I love that it has some healthier ingredients in it too. Just a wonderful and easy dinner!
Jessica says
Absolutely! Casseroles are so easy and I love when they have veggies in it for the kids!
Sarah Skaggs says
This is the ultimate comfort food! Whole family loved it!
Jessica says
We have to agree! Nothing better than a warm casserole recipe during the cooler months!
Allyssa says
This taste so delicious and really flavorful! So easy to make as well, thanks a lot for sharing this amazing doritos chicken casserole recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Jessica says
Oh I’m so glad to hear this Allyssa, thank you! It’s definitely a favorite casserole recipe for our family!
Stephanie says
One of my family’s favorites! I’ve been making this for years.
Jessica says
Thank you so much Stephanie!! It’s definitely a family favorite here too!
Samantha Schroth says
I love, love, love this recipe. I’m a huge fan or Doritos and when I saw this recipe I had to try it. I am always looking for new things to do with chicken anyway and this seemed perfect. I made it and it did not disappoint. Both me and my boyfriend really enjoyed it and are going to be adding it into the dinner time rotation. Plus we had leftovers which was perfect for lunches the next day.
Jessica says
Woo hoo!!! I’m so glad that you liked it and thank you so much for letting us know! Having the leftovers for lunch the next day sounds like a great meal plan!