Frito Chicken Casserole

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!

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

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.

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.

Step two

8. Place ⅓ of the Fritos in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
9. Top with half the chicken mixture.
10. Top with ⅓ of the cheese.
11. Add another layer of Fritos.
12. Top with the remaining chicken mixture.
13. Add a ⅓ of the cheese.
14. Top with remaining Fritos.
15. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
16. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese melts and the casserole is heated through.
17. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little more cilantro, and serve.

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

🥄 Equipment

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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.

💭 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.

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!

📞 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!

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

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