Description
This Chicken Taco Casserole is a hearty, flavorful, and simple one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken breast, smoky smoked turkey bacon, vibrant taco spices, and melty plant-based cheese. Ready in under an hour, it layers classic Tex-Mex ingredients with crispy crushed tortilla chips and a natural gelling agent for a satisfying texture. Perfect for family meals, customizable with your favorite veggies and toppings, it promises minimal cleanup and delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tsp chili powder (natural)
- 1 tsp cumin (natural)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 1 1/2 cups plant-based cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon and Chicken: Crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the diced chicken breast until browned and cooked through to form a deep flavor base.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, creating a rich flavor foundation.
- Combine and Season: Return the cooked chicken and smoked turkey bacon to the skillet. Stir in canned diced tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish. Layer half of the crushed tortilla chips on the bottom, then spread all of the chicken mixture evenly over the chips. Top with the remaining crushed chips. Sprinkle generously with plant-based cheese and evenly distribute the natural gelling agent for the perfect casserole texture.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let the casserole rest a few minutes before slicing and serving for easier portioning.
Notes
- Use fresh ground chili powder and cumin for the best vibrant flavor.
- Gently combine layers to avoid sogginess and maintain a balanced texture.
- Crush tortilla chips into medium-sized pieces for an ideal crispy topping with contrasting creamy filling.
- Allow the casserole to cool briefly after baking to firm up and slice better.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder or mild paprika according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chicken taco casserole, easy casserole, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, weeknight dinner, gluten free, one pan meal, Tex-Mex casserole
