Stacked Mexican Bake
A hearty layered Mexican casserole featuring seasoned chicken, green chilies, and melted Monterey Jack cheese, perfect for a flavorful family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon oil ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin ⓘ
- 4 (6-inch) flour tortillas ⓘ
- 1 can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute chopped onion and minced garlic in oil.
- Stir in diced green chilies, ground cumin, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
- In a greased 2-quart casserole, layer tortillas, chicken mixture, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- Repeat layers as needed, ending with cheese on top.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider adding black beans or corn to the chicken mixture. If you don't have Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar or a Mexican blend works well as a substitute. To spice things up, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Make sure to grease the casserole dish generously to prevent sticking, especially if you’re using flour tortillas.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Stacked Mexican Bake with a side of fresh guacamole or a crisp salad to balance the richness of the dish. It pairs beautifully with Southwestern Chicken Salad Wraps for a complete meal. For added crunch, consider serving with tortilla chips or a dollop of sour cream on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 2-3 minutes, making sure to cover to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stacked Mexican Bake contains roughly 966 calories, with 24g protein, 138g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (72% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (54% of the Daily Value), and protein (47% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1856mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different proteins in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute the cooked chicken with shredded beef or even black beans for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time for beef if starting from raw.
What can I use instead of flour tortillas?
If you're looking for a gluten-free option, corn tortillas work well. Just be sure to soften them slightly before layering to prevent cracking.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, incorporate diced jalapeños into the chicken mixture or use a spicier chili powder. You can also top it with sliced fresh chilies before baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).