Chicken Tortilla Casserole

When I was 11 and Laurie was 14, our mom was in a bridge club.  Every Wednesday night she would meet with 8-10 other women and play bridge. I am pretty sure “bridge” was a 70’s code for eating and gossiping. Anyway a lot of Laurie’s and my favorite recipes are ones our mom got from her bridge group.  My mom made three different casseroles when we were growing up: Chicken Tortilla Casserole, Enchilada Casserole, and Tuna Casserole.  Tuna Casserole is gross.  I seriously doubt you will ever see a Tuna Casserole recipe on this blog, but I do want to share the Chicken Tortilla and Enchilada Casseroles.  Today, it’s Chicken Tortilla Casserole.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Casserole

  • 2-3 cups of cooked and diced chicken
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 jar of Salsa Verde (it’s the green one)
  • 2 cups of milk
  • ½ cup of diced onion
  • 1 can of olives (sliced)
  • 1 package of corn tortillas
  • Shredded cheese

My mom used to boil 4 chicken breasts for this recipe, but I took the much easier route and bought a cooked chicken from Costco.  I used all the white meat for the casserole. I love easier.  

In a large bowl combine the chicken, cream of mushroom soup, salsa, milk, onion, and olives.  Stir well.  If you let your 3 year old child stir the mixture, as I did, be prepared to clean up the mixture from the counter.   Once the ingredients are combined, take your corn tortillas and cut them in half.  I used 8 tortillas in my casserole, but since every brand has a different sized tortilla you might need as many as 12.

First Layer - Chicken mixture

Pour about half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 pan.  (In our house we call this the brownie pan.)  

Layer 2 - Tortillas

On top of the mixture arrange the tortillas so they form a solid layer.

Layer 3 - Shredded Cheese

On top of the tortillas sprinkle a layer of cheese.

Layer 4 - Rest of the Chicken Mixture

Add the remaining mixture on top of the cheese.

Layer 5 - More Tortillas

Add another layer of tortillas.

Layer 6 - More Shredded Cheese

Add another layer of cheese.  Make sure your cheese covers the entire top of the casserole otherwise your tortillas will curl up on the sides and get brown.

Baked Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Bake in the oven for 30-35 mins at 350 degrees until the cheese is bubbly. Let sit for at least 15 mins after taking it out of the oven.  Otherwise, it will be a little soupy.

This is a super yummy casserole with just the right amount of spice. Please enjoy!