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Home » Recipes » Easy Dinners

Frito Chicken Casserole

Published: May 10, 2021 Last Updated: May 20, 2022 by Marye 1116 words. | About 6 minutes to read this article.

Frito Chicken Casserole is an easy, 30 minute dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights! The whole family will love it and you can assemble it ahead of time - or make ahead and freeze.
Total time 35 minutes
Jump to Recipe
Overhead view of Frito Casserole on a plate with a fork nearby. Text overlay for Pinterest
View of a glass casserole dish with the Frito chicken casserole in it. A serving has been removed. Text overlay for Pinterest.

This is an easy, recipe that is a great way to use up leftovers because you start with cooked chicken. You can also run by the deli on the way home and get a rotisserie chicken if you are rushed and don't have the leftovers. Chicken spaghetti is another quick and easy idea!

Overhead view of the casserole with a text overlay. Title image.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • 30 minute dinner
  • Make ahead & freezable
  • Creamy, cheesy, Tex-Mex comfort food

This is easy and it is very family friendly.

Fritos were a part of my childhood long before I became addicted to Doritos in my teens. I can still sing the Frito Bandito song with ease, by the way... and if you are my age I am willing to bet it is flooding your brain right now.

🧾 Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

You can substitute Pepper-Jack for the Cheddar if you'd like it to be a little more spicy. Chili Cheese Fritos work really well in this recipe, too!

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Collage of images showing steps 1-4 for making this recipe.

Step one

  1. Melt butter in a heavy skillet.
  2. Add the onion to the skillet and saute until onion is soft and starting to become transparent.
  3. Add the bell pepper and saute.
  4. Add the beans, corn, chiles..
  5. Stir to combine.
  6. Add in the condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken, Rotel, and the cream cheese.
  7. Stir until the cream cheese is blended in smoothly.
  8. Stir in cilantro.
Steps 5 through 8 showing how to assemble this recipe.

Step two

  1. Place ⅓ of the Fritos in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  2. Top with half the chicken mixture.
  3. Top with ⅓ of the cheese.
  4. Add another layer of Fritos.
  5. Top with the remaining chicken mixture.
  6. Add a ⅓ of the cheese.
  7. Top with remaining Fritos.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
  9. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese melts and the casserole is heated through.
  10. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little more cilantro, and serve.

🎥 Video

Clickable image of the video cover for this post. Link takes you to the YouTube video.
See the full video on YouTube

🥄 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Casserole dish
  • Heavy skillet
  • Box grater
  • Mezzaluna

🥫 Storage

You can assemble Frito chicken casserole ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to two days. Bake when needed.

Put leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.

You can also freeze the baked casserole for up to three months.

A serving of the finished Frito casserole on a plate with the casserole pan in the background.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Don't leave this casserole out for more than one to two hours. If you're going to sit at the table and chat go ahead and cover it and put it in the fridge while you're fixing the coffee.

  • Save time by using rotisserie chicken or precooked chicken from the store.
  • Don't use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn't melt as well.
  • Try different types of cheese; Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Provolone...
  • Try different flavors or Fritos or Doritos.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Can I make Doritos casserole with Fritos or other types of corn chips?

Yes! They work fine! You can even use the different flavors to change it up.

I don't like spicy food. Can I make it less spicy?

Yes! You can control how spicy Frito Chicken Casserole is by using plain diced tomatoes in place of the Ro*Tel OR make it spicier by using the hot Ro*Tel instead of the regular kind.

Overhead view of the finished recipe with a serving removed to show texture.

Related recipes

  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is one of those casseroles that everyone loves because it's so easy!
  • Chicken Alfredo Ravioli is another easy meal. It starts with frozen or fresh ravioli from the store and is on the table in 15 minutes!
  • Taco Spaghetti is a one pot meal that the kids will love.
  • Pozole Verde is basically Mexican Chicken Soup but oh my, is it ever good!
  • This easy chicken and stuffing bake is like Sunday dinner at Grandma's without all the work!
Overhead view of a serving of Frito chicken casserole on a white plate.

📞 The last word

  • I will add even more cheese next time. It was creamy and cheesy - just not quite creamy and cheesy enough.
  • Be sure to use the regular Fritos and not the scoops!

🕰️ Time Saving Tip

When I made this I started with chicken breast and cooked it in a crockpot with chicken broth, basil, and jalapeno. It's a great way to have cooked chicken on hand for those nights when you just don't have any time to cook.

The crockpot makes it really tender and the chicken soaks up whatever flavors that you add to it. Keep it simple so that you can use the chicken in more than one dish.

Save the broth after cooking - it is doubly infused with chicken flavor and makes a great soup base!

Mexican beef and rice casserole is another easy recipe.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of the Frito casserole with a serving removed. Square image for featured image.
4.67 from 45 votes

Frito Chicken Casserole

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Frito Chicken Casserole is an easy, 30 minute dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights! The whole family will love it and you can assemble it ahead of time - or make ahead and freeze.
Course Main Dish (Quick and Easy)
Cuisine American - Vintage
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:558
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup onion, , chopped
  • ½ cup bell pepper
  • 15 ounces black beans
  • 1 cup corn
  • 7 ounces chiles
  • 3 cups chicken breast, cooked and diced
  • 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
  • 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes, or other canned tomatoes with chiles
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 9.25 ounces Fritos
  • ¼ cup cilantro

Instructions

Step one

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Grease a 8x11 inch baking dish (2 quart casserole) and set aside.

Step two

  • Melt butter in a heavy skillet.
  • Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet and saute until onion is soft and starting to become transparent.
  • Add the beans, corn, chiles, and chicken.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Add in the condensed cream of chicken soup, Rotel, and the cream cheese.
  • Stir until the cream cheese is blended in smoothly.
  • Stir in cilantro.

Step three

  • Place ⅓ of the Fritos in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  • Top with half the chicken mixture.
  • Top with ⅓ of the cheese.
  • Add another layer of Fritos.
  • Top with the remaining chicken mixture.
  • Add a ⅓ of the cheese.
  • Top with remaining Fritos.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Step four

  • Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese melts and the casserole is heated through.
  • Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little more cilantro, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 558kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 746mg | Potassium: 747mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1259IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 315mg | Iron: 3mg

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    First published September 7, 2012. Last updated May 10 to improve instructions, images, and user experience.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ash

      October 14, 2021 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a staple for our family. Everyone loved it from our 22-month-old grandson to my 81-year-old Step-Dad. Everyone requested we have this on a weekly basis!

      Reply
      • Marye

        October 15, 2021 at 1:38 pm

        That's great!

    2. TPhelan

      October 05, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      Aye yi yi. I am the Frito Bandito. Gimme your munchies and I will be your friend!

      One of my older sisters used to sing that to us before she’d punch you to get your munchies! 😂

      This recipe is so good! I usually make a half batch because the hubs won’t eat it. He’s kinda twisted that way. Doesn’t like spice. Doesn’t like chicken. See? Twisted.

      Reply
      • Marye

        October 06, 2021 at 2:18 pm

        This made me laugh!

    3. Claire deLun

      October 01, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      4 stars
      Why is named Chicken Bacon Ranch when you don't use bacon anyways? Did we jut forget about the bacon? Still love it but just wondering.

      Reply
      • Claire deLun

        October 01, 2021 at 2:00 pm

        Okay, I was the fluke...I was looking at the next recipe and then zi realized that what I made is the Frito Chicken casserole. sorry about that. But bth are still so delicious and so easy to make. Yummy tasty anyways.....

    4. Judith Reynolds

      May 25, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      5 stars
      Took this to work and it was a big hit. I used 16 oz block medium cheddar cheese shredded. More Fritos were added when served and the extra crunch was perfect. Will make again and again. Thank you for your great recipes and my family and friends enjoy each and everyone..😀

      Reply

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