Doritos Chicken Casserole

Craving something that hits all the comfort food buttons at once?

This Doritos Chicken Casserole is basically what would happen if tacos and mac-and-cheese had a beautiful, cheesy love child.

The combination of crunchy nacho chips, tender chicken, and gooey melted cheese creates a flavor explosion that’ll have everyone fighting for seconds.

What makes this casserole truly special is how the crushed Doritos form a nacho-flavored crust that soaks up all the creamy goodness while still maintaining some crunch.

It’s ridiculously easy to throw together on busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve at potlucks where, fair warning, you’ll be bombarded with recipe requests.

The balance of spicy, creamy, and crunchy is absolutely addictive.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 (14.5 ounce) package nacho cheese-flavored tortilla chips (such as Doritos), crushed
• 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
• 1½ cups salsa
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can corn, drained
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 8 ounces sour cream

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, making sure to coat the sides to prevent sticking during baking.
2. Spread the crushed Doritos evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Don’t crush them too finely – some texture variation creates better layers in the final dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3 cups chicken, 1 cup cheese, 1½ cups salsa, drained corn, both condensed soups, and sour cream. Stir until everything is thoroughly incorporated – the mixture should have a consistent creamy texture with no dry spots.
4. Pour the chicken mixture over the crushed chips in the baking dish, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula. Be gentle to avoid completely crushing the chip layer beneath.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the edges begin to bubble. The casserole should be heated through but not yet browned on top.
6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake for 5 more minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling with light golden spots appearing. If you want a more golden top, you can switch to broil for the final 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Smart Swaps

• Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream (1:1 ratio) for extra protein and fewer calories
• Substitute rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut with great flavor
• Try Doritos Flamin’ Hot or Cool Ranch for different flavor profiles
• Use reduced-fat cheese to lower the calorie count while maintaining meltability

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace regular Doritos with 2 cups crushed baked tortilla chips (reduces carbs by approximately 12g per serving)
• Use 2% Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to increase protein and reduce fat
• Add 1 cup diced bell peppers and 1 cup diced zucchini to increase fiber content and reduce the glycemic impact
• Portion into ½-cup servings and pair with a side salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar to slow carbohydrate absorption

Pro Tips

• For maximum crunch, add half the crushed Doritos to the bottom and reserve half to sprinkle on top during the final 5 minutes of baking
• Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set up properly
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator – the chips will soften but the flavor improves overnight
• For meal prep, assemble everything except the chips, refrigerate, then add freshly crushed chips just before baking