Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake

In a blink of an eye, another school year has come and gone. Both of our boys finished school today, 1st and 7th grade, and I couldn’t be prouder of them. It seems like just yesterday, they were little babies and I can’t believe how quickly the years have passed. Do you ever feel nostalgic like that this time of year or is it just me? I am so happy for all they accomplished and how much they grew this year, but for whatever reason, I get a little sad thinking about it. To me, it means another day closer to them “growing up”. I simply enjoy every minute of being a dad and I love that my sons still look to me (more than Google!) for answers, for love and encouragement, advice, and I hope that lasts into their adulthood.

Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake | Real Food by Dad

So to pick up my mood, I decided to make something simple and comforting to eat tonight. Of the many joys and blessings in life, there’s always room for good Mexican food, right? Especially when it is a quick & easy dish like this Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake.  This one did not disappoint at all. How could it? Check out these ingredients – shredded rotisserie chicken, Salsa Verde Doritos (the perfect choice), white beans, Mexican rice, topped with cheese, some tomatoes and cilantro. And all done in less than 20 minutes. 

Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake | Real Food by Dad

I came home from a board meeting tonight and couldn’t wait to dig into this again for seconds. However, all that was left was an empty dish, completely wiped clean of all its yumminess. That made me smile, knowing that it brought a little more joy to everyone else here tonight too.

Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake | Real Food by Dad

Now it’s time to make some awesome summer memories with our three boys. Can’t wait.

Yield: 6

Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake

Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake by Real Food by Dad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 2 cups prepared Mexican rice
  • 2 15oz. can white beans (or black beans, pintos beans or a combination)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons diced green chili
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 12 oz. Doritos Salsa Verde Chips (or restaurant style tortilla chips)
  • 3 cups pepper Jack, cheddar, or a combination

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Shred rotisserie chicken into a bowl, then stir in rice; set aside. Place chicken broth and beans in a saucepan and cook until heated through. Stir in green chilies, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse until mixture is pureed. Alternately, you can use a potato masher and mash bean mixture until smooth.
  2. Spread half of chips into casserole pan. Layer with half the bean mixture, half the chicken and rice mixture and half the cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake until cheese melts, about 5-7 minutes. Serve with cilantro, fresh chopped tomatoes.
  3. **NOTES** (1) To shortcut this recipe you can replace the spices with 1-2 tablespoon of your preferred enchilada seasoning. (2) Use any beans you prefer. I like white beans for their mild taste and creaminess.
 

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83 comments to " Mexican Cheesy Chicken Bake "

  • Cooking Classy

    Um, Doritos has salsa verde chips? Where have I been!? This looks awesome!

  • Bri | Bites of Bri

    This looks great! I make something similar when I am feeling lazy and really want to order takeout. Instead of doing that, I usually make a dish like this because it’s so easy and so delicious!

  • Mary

    My tummy is literally rumbling. I need to Mexican food NOW! Have a wonderful summer with the boys!

  • Liz Stark

    Excellent comfort dish. And congratulations to your sons on the school year! Let summer officially begin.

  • The (more than Google!) totally made me laugh. I ask Google way too many questions.
    One that I will not be asking it: what should I eat for dinner?
    This is insane! CHIPS INSIDE?! Yum! Pinned!

  • Derek the Zen Chef

    I am not a father (yet?) but I can appreciate your bitter-sweet feeling about the passing of an era in life. Given how much your care about your sons deep down, I am sure they will continue to appreciate that if you just keep showing it. Especially during the teenage years, I trow, they need to know you are on their side and you can trust each other. That is the relationship I had with my parents, so we never had the teenage rebellion phase. I benefited by being allowed to drive the car pretty much whenever it was available. (Do you worry about that ever?) keep up the noble work!
    D

    • Thanks Derek, I really appreciate your comments. You are so right about that, staying by their side and developing trust will help them through those years without a doubt. So glad you stopped by!

  • Mexican food with cheese is impossible to beat as a comfort food. And enjoy all those memories with your boys!

  • azestybite

    20 minutes with a dish like this I’m sold. Plus I can never turn down mexican food.

  • Alice Choi

    Matt, I totally feel nostalgic this time of the year. . my kids finished school a couple of weeks ago and my oldest already started summer school! Sometimes, I look at them and wonder what they will be like when they are older but like you, I just want to enjoy the time now. . while they are still young and think I’m awesome 😛 (b/c this will change!). . freaking love this Mexican cheesy chicken bake! my husband would die for this. . Mexican food is one of his faves and he loves Doritos!!! Pinned!

    • I’m pretty sure they will always think you are awesome Alice, you seem like such a great mom! Isn’t being a parent the greatest? Especially when they like your food too! 🙂

  • ITheeCook

    There is always room for Mexican food. There is also always room for making anything quick and easy with rotisserie chicken!

  • I love that my kids are growing up too but boy is it hard. Love this Mexican Chicken Bake my kids would devour it and easy is always a good thing!

  • Karly Campbell

    Love this! We make a version of this and my kids are always thrilled to have Doritos in their dinner. Haha!

  • BeccaHeflin

    I love this! Rotisserie chicken has been my dinner savior on more than one occasion. I can see it happening again soon!

  • Jessica @AHappyFoodDance

    Doritos for dinner = Sold!

  • Beth @ bethcakes

    Oh my gosh, I need to make this! Mexican, cheesy, and chicken together can only mean good things. Love that it’s so quick and easy too! This time of the year always makes me nostalgic as well. This reminded me that I’ve been out of college for a whole year now, haha. Where does all the time go!? But who cares when you’ve got good food and an awesome family, right? 🙂

    • Trust me Beth, it flies by. So I try to enjoy every minute of it. And you are so right, good food and family helps! Nothing better:) Thanks so much for stopping by again!

  • Kathi @ Deliciously Yum!

    This needs to happen ASAP – I want to come home to delicious leftovers, though I doubt there’d be any, ha. You make the best casseroles/bakes around 🙂

  • Alyssa Ponticello

    Yes, there really is always room for Mexican food, especially when it includes Doritos!

  • Zainab @ Blahnik Baker

    I love this!!! Mexican spices, cheese everywhere and chicken? Sounds amazing!!!

  • grandbabycakes

    WOWZA this looks so darn fantastic, I can’t even stand it!

  • marcie @ flavor the moments

    I’m always nostalgic at the end of a school year, and can’t believe how fast my boys have grown up, either. Time certainly flies! I love this nacho-style bake, and it would certainly be a mood booster!

  • HalfBakedHarvest

    I mean, you totally know how to cook a good family meal. Love the layered chips! 🙂

  • Love Mexican casseroles and this one is no exception. So comforting, love those Doritos on top, nice touch!

  • This is something my family will love to eat. My son has finished 2nd grade this year. Time sure goes by super quick 🙁

  • Rachel Cooks

    Kids seriously grow up way too quickly. Mine are only 1 and 3 years old but it is already flying by. This recipe looks so good — total comfort food!

  • Krista

    Um.. yum! Totally a sucker for anything Mexican and this recipe is no exception. Loving all the flavors and textures in this dish Matt!

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

  • Allie|Baking a Moment

    The hardest is when you get the pic back that you sent in at the beginning of the year. My kids’ school always asks for a photo to put up in their cubby- I always snap it on the first day of school and then when it comes back at year’s end I get so choked up. Love this dish though- so yummy and yes, comforting! Pinning, and hope you enjoy the summer break 😉

  • Mike @TheIronYou

    You must be the proudest father ever, your kids are true rockstars. Big congrats to them for finishing another school year AND to you for whipping up this amazing Mexican casserole. What a great dish to celebrate such a big event!

  • Ema-Ontheflavorroad

    I was just looking for a recipe to make on saturday for a movies night and yours seems to be exacty what I need :)! It is so easy to make!!! Great idea! And so tasty :)! I’m missing mexican food! Few years ago I spent 1 month in San Diego and I fell in love with mexican food: it is so delicious!!!
    Enjoy your summer and your family :)!
    And don’t feel nostalgic, and never forget that you will always be for them the most important person in their lifes and the example to emulate each day of their lifes :)! I have been reading your blog for 2 days but I can tell you love them and your wife more then everything else :)!

    • This one made my night, thanks Ema! I do love them more than anything, so blessed. And doesn’t San Diego have the greatest Mexican food? That’s an hour south of us and we love going down there just for that.

      • Ema-Ontheflavorroad

        Yes, it does!!! I had never had Mexican food before going to San Diego and I remember I thought straight it was just beautiful! And I’m gluten free so that was like a dream for me 🙂 I could basically eat everything! And it was sooooo good!!! I should start cooking it at home!
        Have a lovely day!

  • Paula

    I enjoy the stories of your boys as much as your recipes, Matt! And, yes, I get nostalgic…rather, I STAY nostalic. I hate my boys gettng older, I want to be Super Mommie forever! But, on to this yummy recipe, how can you not love chips, cheese and chicken for dinner, or anytime, actually?! Totally yum. I love that you use a rotisserie chicken!! Have a fun summer!

  • Tutti Dolci

    I am craving comfort food and this bake looks like just what I need!

  • Meg

    There is always enough room for good Mexican. My family could live off it. Loving this simple dish. Thanks for another great recipe 🙂

  • Megan {Country Cleaver}

    I don’t care who I have to fight off for a whole pan of this – but I’m ready for battle! Summer with the boys is going to be a blast!! Relish it!

  • I get a tad bit emotional when school is over. Time just passes too fast. My youngest turned 13 in April and it still makes me want to cry. My oldest is constantly talking about going away to college and I so badly just wanna hold them and not let go. I’m gonna be a wreck in a couple of years.
    Nothing like some good comforting Mexican food to cheer things up. This dish looks amazing. I know my guys would love this and I love how easy it is to prepare.

  • whatjessicabakednext

    This looks amazing! Love how simple it is to put together! Definitely a recipe to try out! 🙂

  • marlafamilyfreshcooking

    Oh boy am I loving this!!

  • Back For Seconds

    MMmmm, love Mexican food! This looks delicious! My oldest is starting kindergarten in the fall, so this will be our first school experience… I already feel like she’s growing up WAY too fast! My belief is “babies should stay babies”. They never listen 😉

    • It’s actually pretty tough at first, missing them as they go to school for a few hours, but you eventually learn to enjoy that time, as do they! Thanks Stephanie!

  • Nancy

    I don’t have kids but I’m always super nostalgic about my own childhood, especially summertime memories. Maybe it’s the constant stress ‘n pressure of being adult, but lately all I can think about is how great it was to be a kid – no responsibilities, not a care in the world, just getting up around noon and hanging out with friends. Eating junk food and not worrying about my weight. Soaking up the sun. Sigh. Anyways, I’m sure you and Naomi are building up a wealth of amazing memories for your sons to look back on when they’re older. As for this dish – the photos are gorgeous and I want to fill a trough with this cheesy, Mexican goodness and just pig out.

    • I have always been then same way, Nancy. And I tell my older boys the same thing, enjoy this time, no real stressful responsibilities, time to just enjoy being a kid. So, as a result, I do try to make each day special for them and be involved in their lives as much as possible. That keeps me feeling young too:) Thanks for stopping by again, I always love reading your writing!

  • Jenn

    I make a similar recipe, but with ground beef and Nacho Cheese Doritos. I love the idea of using chicken. Pinned!

  • I wish I had the entire dish of this sitting in front of me. Seriously, I could probably eat all of it right now. Great recipe, Matt!

  • I love to eat my feelings too, Matt, and this is a great way to go! Mexican food is the best. Calvin’s only 2 and I already feel like I’ve had a taste of the feelings you described! They grow so fast.

    • Right Meggan? It goes by WAY too fast. Naomi told me about this saying that goes “the days are long but the years are short”, and I always think about that:)

  • DearCreatives

    I think this recipe will be a winner with my picky teen. You had her at Doritos Chips, lol Pinned for later.

  • Gaby7162

    What’s the calorie count for this recipe?

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