Easy Dorito Chicken Casserole Recipe

Crunchy, cheesy, and packed with flavor – that’s what you get with this Dorito Chicken Casserole!

With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this cheesy casserole on the dinner table in about 30 minutes. The crushed Doritos on top add a tangy and satisfying crunch to every bite.

It’s the perfect meal to throw together when you want something hearty that won’t take a lot of effort.

Give it a try tonight, and you won’t be disappointed!

Dorito Chicken Casserole 

This casserole is always a hit in my household, and there are so many thing I love about it.

First, it requires only a few ingredients. Most of them are pretty standard, too. You may have them all in your kitchen right now. This makes it budget-friendly.

Second, you can make it with leftover chicken since the meat needs to be fully cooked for this recipe.

Finally, it’s quick and easy. It comes together with very little hands-on work and doesn’t require much time in the oven. 

And, of course, it’s mega-flavorful and delightfully crunchy. You can’t go wrong with either of those!

Ingredients

This yummy casserole requires fewer than 10 ingredients. Here’s what you need: 

• Nacho Cheese Doritos – They make it cheesy while adding plenty of crunch. I typically grab the party-size bag because I like a lot of Doritos. You can go with a smaller bag if you prefer. 

• Chicken – The chicken must be fully cooked before adding it to the recipe. Use last night’s leftovers or pick up a rotisserie chicken.

• Cream of chicken soup – I typically go with Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup. Use whatever brand you like best. 

• Sour cream – Sour cream adds some volume to the sauce. It also helps ensure that it’s extra creamy and a little tangy. 

• Corn – Canned corn is best. Just remember to drain it before adding it. 

• Cheese – I prefer the Mexican cheese blend because it has a nice spiciness. Feel free to use whatever shredded cheese you like best. 

• Rotel – Rotel will lighten and brighten the casserole, adding a little zestiness. 

• Taco seasoning – You only need a tablespoon of taco seasoning. Most packets include about 2 tablespoons, so don’t dump the entire thing in. 

How to Make Dorito Chicken Casserole 

Follow these steps to make your Dorito chicken casserole: 

1. Prepare. Set out the ingredients and crush the Doritos. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Layer the Doritos. Spread half of the crushed Doritos in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Set the dish aside for later. 

3. Prepare the filling. Combine the chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, corn, Rotel, taco seasoning, and half of the cheese in a large bowl. 

Mix well. Then, spread the mixture over the Doritos in the baking dish. 

4. Bake. Bake the casserole for 20 minutes. Then, remove it from the oven.

5. Add the remaining ingredients. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and Doritos. 

6. Bake it again. Return the casserole to the oven and bake it for another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove it from the oven once it starts to bubble. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving, then enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Casserole 

Here are a few tips to remember: 

• Raw will ruin your casserole. I cannot stress this enough! Raw chicken will not have time to cook properly in this recipe. The chicken must be cooked prior to mixing it in the filling. 

• Take a crushing shortcut. Use a rolling pin to easily crush the Doritos right in the bag.

• Don’t over-crush. You want the chips crushed and broken, not powdered into dust! Leave the pieces large enough to provide plenty of crunch. 

• Exercise your stand mixer. Hate shredding chicken by hand? Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to save time and effort. Start it on a low speed, then gradually increase it to medium.

• Double your pleasure. Double this recipe and assemble a second unbaked casserole without the toppings. Freeze it for a quick future meal. Thaw and add the cheese and Doritos before baking.

• Use room-temperature cream cheese. Set it on the counter to soften for at least 30 minutes before making the casserole. 

• Don’t forget the baking sheet. Adding a layer of “insulation” between the baking dish and the oven rack is a great idea. It helps ensure the bottom layer of Doritos doesn’t burn. Cover the casserole in aluminum foil if the top layer cooks too quickly. 

Variations

This casserole is highly customizable. Here are a few ideas on how to make it your own: 

• Dial up the heat. For extra spice, add chopped jalapenos or hot sauce to the mix.

• Swap out the chips. You can substitute different brands and flavors of crushed tortilla chips. Try making the casserole with Cool Ranch for a totally unique taste. Or increase the heat with Flamin’ Hot Doritos. 

• Don’t forget the garnishes. Top it with avocado, salsa, or jalapeños for more Tex-Mex flavor.

• Make it heartier. Add 1 to 2 cups of cooked rice to the casserole to make it more filling. Cooked pasta works well, too. 

• Throw in some veggies. Try red onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and more! 

• Turn it into a pie. Instead of using a baking dish, bake the casserole in a deep-dish pie plate. It’s the same great taste, but that way, you get to call it Dorito Pie.

• Make it herby. Don’t be afraid to add some fresh herbs to the casserole. I’ve added thyme, cilantro, and rosemary in the past. Some powdered or minced garlic is never a bad idea, either. 

• Switch up the soup base. Condensed cream of chicken soup tastes great. However, you can subtly alter the flavor by swapping out the soup. Try cream of mushroom or cheddar cheese soup instead. 

How to Store 

If you have leftover Dorito casserole, follow these steps to enjoy it at a later date.

To Store: Store the leftover casserole in the fridge in the baking dish wrapped in plastic wrap or in an air-tight container. The leftovers should remain fresh for up to 4 days. 

To Freeze: You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container. 

To Reheat: Reheat the leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of leftovers you have. 

Let frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating them.