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Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna

This Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna is guaranteed to take family taco night to a whole new level. Tostadas form the “lasagna” noodles and the gooey layers are filled with everything we love about Southwestern cooking. Rotisserie chicken, taco sauce, a dreamy cream cheese layer along with black beans, corn and of course, lots of gooey cheese.

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Easy Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna Recipe

My family is no different than yours, they’re always challenging me to come up with different dishes to get them to the dinner table. As a Mom, I’m always keenly aware of getting them to eat their vegetables as freely as they reach for other delicious but, not-as-good-for-them-stuff.  Being fans of all things spicy Southwestern, Tex-Mex and Mexican food is always a hot favorite the whole family will love.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

  • Chicken – Rotisserie chicken gives this lasagna its signature flavor.
  • Tostadas – Tostadas, flour tortillas or corn tortillas form the “noodle” layer.
  • Canned Tomatoes – Rotel tomatoes i.e. Chili Fixins’ or a similar canned chili seasoned tomatoes. You could also use salsa.
  • Cream Cheese – Chive and onion cream cheese and sour cream add a creamy texture to the layers.
  • Spices – Taco seasoning and garlic salt.
  • Sauce – A jar of taco sauce for a tomato flavor.
  • Veggies – Fresh or frozen corn kernels and black beans for bulk and texture.
  • Cheese – Shredded quesadilla cheese or monterey jack cheese a must for the melty cheesy layer.
  • Toppings – Fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream and green onions for serving.
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How to Make the Best Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna

  • Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Make the Shredded Chicken Filling – Stir together the chopped chicken, tomatoes, taco seasoning and garlic salt. Set aside.
  • Assemble Taco Lasagna Layers – Drizzle 1/4 cup taco sauce onto the bottom of the dish. Arrange 6 tostada shells over the sauce overlapping where necessary.
  • Make the Cream Cheese Layer – Whisk together the cream cheese and sour cream. Spread 1/2 over the tostadas.
  • Combine – Top with chicken mixture, black beans and corn, then sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layers. ending with tostadas and cheese.
  • Oven – Lay a piece of aluminum foil on top. Bake per the cooking time in the recipe until the cheese is golden brown.
  • Serve – Let stand then serve with salsa, sour cream and green onion.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chicken Taco Lasagna Recipe

  • Large bowl.
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • Large spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Knife and chopping board.
  • 13×9- inch baking dish.
  • Cheese grater. 
  • Aluminum foil.
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Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

  • Protein – You could adapt this recipe using ground chicken, ground turkey or ground beef for the meat mixture. Cook thoroughly and layer per the recipe.
  • Chicken – You can use any fully cooked chicken for this recipe including boneless skinless chicken thighs.
  • Chicken Taco Lasagna with Tortillas – Tostadas versus Tortillas: I began making this variation of lasagna using tostada shells and we liked it so much I continued using them instead of corn tortillas for layering. If you prefer, you could use corn tortillas or flour tortillas, in the same amount to form the “noodles” in this lasagna.
  • Canned Tomatoes – Rotel Chili Fixin’s tomatoes are already seasoning for chili. You can use classic Rotel tomatoes with green chiles or use another brand of chili seasoned tomatoes. When making that change, please note that you may need to adjust the seasonings otherwise, adding more taco seasoning to your taste. You could also replace the tomatoes with red salsa. (1 1/2 cup salsa).
  • Beans -You can use light red kidney beans or pinto beans in place of a can of black beans.
  • Taco Sauce – You can use mild, medium or spicy taco sauce in this recipe depending on your personal preference.
  • Cheese – You can use the same amount of colby jack cheese, spicy pepper jack cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. You could also use a bag of mexican cheese blend for a shortcut.
  • Peppers – You could add diced green chiles or  jalapeños  pepper to the veggie layer.
  • Toppings – Serve this straight from the oven with salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, diced avocados, black olives, salsa verde, a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of crema. Any of your favorite taco toppings will work!

Storage and Leftovers

  • Leftovers – Store leftover Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna covered with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven covered with foil just until heated through.
  • Freezer Meal – You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.
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More Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes to Make

I love a chicken casserole for supper any night of the week. More chicken casserole recipes you may also like to try:

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Southwestern Chicken Taco Lasagna

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
RestingTime5 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern, Southwestern Inspired
Keyword: chicken-lasagna-recipe, chicken-taco-lasagna, southwestern-chicken-taco-lasagna
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 501kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chopped or shredded chicken i.e. rotisserie chicken
  • 1 10 oz can Rotel Chili Fixins’
  • 3 Tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 8 oz chive and onion cream cheese softened
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 18 Tostadas
  • 1 16 oz medium taco sauce
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh corn divided
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed and divided
  • 3 cups shredded quesadilla or Monterey Jack cheese divided
  • 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro optional
  • Assorted toppings: Sour cream salsa, green onion

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl stir together chicken, tomatoes, taco seasoning and garlic salt. Set aside.
  • In a small mixing bowl whisk together the cream cheese and sour cream.
  • 1st Layer: Drizzle 1/4 cup taco sauce onto the bottom of the dish. Arrange 6 tostada shells over the sauce overlapping where necessary. Spread 1/2 cream cheese mixture over the tostadas.
  • Top with 1/2 of the chicken mixture, 1/2 cup black beans and 1/2 cup corn. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp cilantro.
  • 2nd Layer: Repeat process with 6 tostadas, cream cheese, chicken, black beans and corn. Cover with 1 cup shredded cheese and 1 Tbsp cilantro.
  • 3rd Final Layer: Cover the second layer with 6 tostadas. Pour the taco sauce on top covering completely. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Lay a piece of aluminum foil on top.
  • Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
  • Rest for 5 minutes then serve with salsa, sour cream and green onion.

Notes

  • Protein – You could adapt this recipe using ground chicken, ground turkey or ground beef for the meat mixture. Cook thoroughly and layer per the recipe.
  • Chicken – You can use any fully cooked chicken for this recipe including boneless skinless chicken thighs.
  • Chicken Taco Lasagna with Tortillas – Tostadas versus Tortillas: I began making this variation of lasagna using tostada shells and we liked it so much I continued using them instead of corn tortillas for layering. If you prefer, you could use corn tortillas or flour tortillas, in the same amount to form the “noodles” in this lasagna.
  • Canned Tomatoes – Rotel Chili Fixin’s tomatoes are already seasoning for chili. You can use classic Rotel tomatoes with green chiles or use another brand of chili seasoned tomatoes. When making that change, please note that you may need to adjust the seasonings otherwise, adding more taco seasoning to your taste. You could also replace the tomatoes with red salsa. (1 1/2 cup salsa).
  • Beans -You can use light red kidney beans or pinto beans in place of a can of black beans.
  • Taco Sauce – You can use mild, medium or spicy taco sauce in this recipe depending on your personal preference.
  • Cheese – You can use the same amount of colby jack cheese, spicy pepper jack cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. You could also use a bag of mexican cheese blend for a shortcut.
  • Peppers – You could add diced green chiles or  jalapeños  pepper to the veggie layer.
  • Toppings – Serve this straight from the oven with salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, diced avocados, black olives, salsa verde, a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of crema. Any of your favorite taco toppings will work!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 882mg | Potassium: 363mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 597IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 383mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

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