Southwestern-inspired layered bake of creamy chicken, refried beans, crushed Doritos, and melty cheese—finished with fresh toppings for bold, playful comfort.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Layered textures: creamy, crispy, cheesy, crunchy

• Bold Tex-Mex flavors that feel indulgent yet accessible

• Great for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers

• Endless customizability via toppings or substitutions

Chicken & Doritos Casserole

Picture a layered bake with southwestern flair: creamy chicken savory and spiced, nestled between crispy Doritos and rich melted cheese, crowned with classic Tex-Mex toppings. It’s indulgent, inventive, and unapologetically bold—transforming simple ingredients into a fiesta on a plate.

The bottom layer of refried beans creates a sturdy, flavorful foundation—earthy, smooth, and subtly spiced. Above that, crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos add instant crunch and cheesy Dorito flavor, setting a playful stage for the creamy chicken mixture. It’s a dynamic contrast of textures that surprises with every forkful.

The chicken layer blends cooked chicken of choice with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, taco seasoning, cheese, and Ro-Tel’s zesty tomato-and-chile mix. Creamy yet tangy, cheesy yet bright, it holds everything together with vibrant flavor and silky, melty texture.

Alternating layers—beans, Doritos, chicken mixture, cheese, Doritos—create a mosaic of contrasts. As it bakes, the cheese melts into gooey pockets, the chips soften just enough to meld, and the beans and chicken bind into a cohesive, multi-textural casserole.

Finished with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, black olives, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, salsa, or additional sour cream, it feels dressed up while retaining its casual charm. It’s indulgence with balance—the toppings add brightness and bite against the heavy, creamy base.

This casserole has star-power for potlucks, game nights, or casual dinners—assembly is intuitive, ingredients easily customizable, and the presentation irresistibly inviting. Each layer tells its own story—crispy, creamy, cheesy, spicy, and fresh—all in one baking dish.

Leftovers hold up with texture—just reheat gently to maintain the Dorito crunch and cheesy goo. It’s comfort food with personality, approachable yet compelling, familiar yet full of flair.

SERVINGS & TIME

• Servings: 8–10 generous portions

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Bake Time: 30 minutes covered + 5 minutes uncovered

• Total Time: ~50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz can refried beans

• 4 cooked chicken breasts, chopped

• 10 oz can cream of chicken soup

• ½ cup milk

• ⅔ cup sour cream

• 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes, drained

• ½ packet taco seasoning

• 4 cups Mexican-blend shredded cheese, divided

• 11 oz bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed

• Toppings (optional): shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, jalapeños, salsa, extra sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together soup, milk, sour cream, taco seasoning, and Ro-Tel. Stir in chopped chicken and 1½ cups cheese.

3. Layer in baking dish: start with refried beans; sprinkle ⅓ of Doritos; half the chicken mixture; another ⅓ Doritos; remaining chicken mixture; remaining cheese; final Doritos.

4. Cover and bake 30–35 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5 until chips are slightly toasted.

5. Serve with fresh toppings.

TIPS

• Add black beans or corn between layers for extra fiber.

• Ground turkey or rotisserie chicken also work well.

• Use additional Doritos for a crunchy topping if you like extra crisp.

• To lighten it, substitute part of cheese with low-fat versions or Greek yogurt for sour cream.