Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole

Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole topped with simple sour cream, green chili, and cheese sauce. It bakes up tender, juicy, and flavorful because the cheese sauce seals in the chicken juices. We all need an easy chicken recipe. You won’t believe how simple it is!

Learn how to make Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole step by step, plus information on storing, reheating, and much more.

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How Do You Thicken Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

To thicken your Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole, whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it’s cooking. Don’t add dry flour directly to the casserole as it may clump.

How Long Should I Cook Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

The average cook time should be about 1 hour, in total. Ideally, cover it for an hour and then uncover it during the final hour to crisp. Depending on the casserole ingredients, you use in the cooking time may vary; an added variable to your cook time will be the chicken and the ingredients in the dish.

Can I Put Raw Chicken In Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

We usually use pre-cooked meat for our Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole dish. You may use chicken breasts, thighs, or any leftover chicken. It is safe to use raw chicken because all germs are eliminated when the dish reaches 160°F.

What Can I Top My Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole With?

Thinly sliced iceberg lettuce ribbons
Pico de gallo or fresh salsa
Guacamole
Sour cream or Mexican crema
Diced fresh cilantro
Pickled jalapenos slices
Pickled red onions
Crushed tortilla chips
Lime wedges

How To Make Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish, spread 34% of the enchilada sauce evenly. Cover the sauce with corn tortilla quarters, overlapping them.
Heat your refried beans with 2-3 tablespoons of water, either in a saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave (for about 2 minutes) until hot and creamy.
Over the corn tortillas in the baking dish, spread the refried beans. Remove from the oven.
Add the chopped onions to a large non-stick skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent; 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the green chilies, pinto beans, chicken, corn, tomatoes, spices, and the remaining 1 cup of enchilada sauce. Mix well over medium heat; 2-3 minutes.
Spread the filling evenly in the baking dish. Cover with cheese and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted.
Serve with topping options or on its own.

How Do You Keep The Bottom Of Your Casserole From Burning?

In order to avoid making your Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole burn go ahead and follow one or a few of these tricks:

Use Light-Colored Bakeware.
Layer Up The Baking Trays.
Lower The Oven Temperature.
Use Some Cornmeal.
Use Parchment Paper Underneath.
Preheat Your Oven Properly.
Remove It From The Bakeware Once The Crust Has Formed.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

Broccoli Salad
Lemon Almond Asparagus
Longhorn Broccoli
Lemon-Sesame Green Beans
Fruit Salad
Ramen Noodle Salad
Applesauce

How To Store Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

In the Refrigerator: you can store this Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. First, you should let the casserole cool until reaches room temperature then wrap it with plastic wrap or put the Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole in well-closed glass containers then place it in the refrigerator.
In the Freezer: You can freeze this Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole, it will last for up to one month but we do not recommend it. We’ve found it can get mushy once thawed.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

In The Oven: Cover leftover Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole with foil and reheat in preheated oven for 20 to 25 min at 350°F. The casserole should warm up until reaches 165°F before serving.
In The Microwaves: The casserole should be divided into servings and reheated separately. Place it in the microwave and reheat on medium power for 2 minutes.
In The Air Fryer: Cover the leftover Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole with foil and reheat in the air fryer for 7 min at 350°F. Remove the foil and reheat again for 3 min or until warm through. The foil protects Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole from drying out.

Recipe Tips

In the casserole dish, arrange the chicken in a single layer so that the sauce covers each piece.
Do not over-bake or the chicken will become dry. It has already been cooked through.
Do not drain the green chilis.

FAQ Section

How Do You Fix A Watery Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.

Should Chicken Be Cooked Before Adding To Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole?

You must cook the chicken first before assembling your Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole. Make sure your chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit when cooked.