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When you need something hearty, cheesy and full of bold flavor, fiesta chicken pasta casserole is a winning option. Packed with tender chicken, black beans, corn, green chilis and creamy cheese, it’s a one-dish meal that satisfies everyone at the table. This crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks or game days. It’s easy to prep, simple to customize and makes great leftovers. Serve it hot from the oven, garnished with fresh cilantro and your favorite toppings.
Fiesta chicken pasta casserole combines chicken, cheese, black beans, and corn in one easy, cheesy bake that’s perfect for weeknights or feeding a crowd.
Also try mushroom gruyere chicken rice casserole or cheesy vegetable casserole. Salsa fresca chicken and seafood paella are also delicious.
Why You’ll Love It
Full of flavor: Loaded with spices, chilis and cheesy goodness in every bite.
Easy to make: Just mix, bake and serve, without any complicated steps.
Family-friendly: A hit with kids and adults alike.
Perfect for leftovers: Tastes just as good the next day.
Customizable: Swap ingredients or spice levels to suit your taste.
Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pasta: Acts as the base and soaks up all the bold flavors.
Chicken: Shredded and cooked for a hearty protein boost.
Rotel: Adds tomatoes and green chilis for a spicy, tangy kick.
Sour cream: Gives the casserole a rich, creamy texture.
Corn: Sweet and juicy, balancing the savory flavors.
Black beans: Add texture and protein.
Black olives: Briny and bold, perfect for contrast.
Green chilis: Bring mild heat and depth.
Cream of chicken soup: Binds everything together with creamy flavor.
Spices and herbs: Cumin and garlic salt add warmth and flavor depth.
Cheese: A melty Mexican blend makes the dish rich and cheesy.
Cilantro: Fresh and brightens up the final dish.
How to Make Fiesta Chicken and Pasta Casserole
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Cook the pasta: Prepare according to package directions.
Combine the ingredients: In a bowl, mix everything except reserved cheese, olives and cilantro.
Mix in the pasta: Add cooked pasta to the mixture and stir well.
Assemble the casserole: Pour into a baking dish and top with reserved cheese.
Bake and garnish: Bake covered, then uncover and finish baking. Top with remaining olives and fresh cilantro.
Substitutions and Variations
Use turkey instead of chicken: Great for using up leftovers.
Add heat: Mix in jalapeños or use hot Rotel for a spicier version.
Swap the soup: Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery if preferred.
Pasta: Anything would go here, from ribbon noodles like tagliatelle to penne, shells or other pasta shapes. Gluten-free pasta would work too of course.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start off with peach bourbon wings or shrimp ceviche. Texas cowboy caviar is another idea!
Side dishes: Pair your fiesta chicken pasta bake with asparagus fennel salad or smoked elote. You could also make some tomatillo red chili salsa.
Dessert: Finish the meal with Mexican ice cream or south of the border style rice pudding.
How to Store Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in the oven or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Drain beans and corn well: Prevents the casserole from becoming watery.
Mix cheese in and on top: Ensures cheesy goodness throughout the dish.
Let it rest before serving: This helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Chicken Fiesta Bake FAQs
Yes, feel free to leave them out or substitute with something else like diced peppers.
Rotel tomatoes are widely available, but of course that depends where you are. You can find them in Canada and the US but not everywhere else. Rotel tomatoes are basically canned tomatoes with some added heat. There are fire-roasted chilies in the can with the tomatoes. They’re popular in recipes like tortilla soup and queso.
Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole Recipe
Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Baking Dish 9 x 13-Inch
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces pasta, uncooked
- 3 Cups chicken, cooked, shredded
- 10 Ounces Rotel tomatoes
- 1 Cup sour cream
- 1 Can corn, whole kernel, 15-Ounce, drained
- 1 Can black beans, whole, 15-Ounce, drained and rinsed
- ¾ Cup black olives, sliced
- 1 Can green chilis, 7-Ounce, diced
- 1 Can cream of chicken soup, 10 ¾-Ounce
- 1 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 Cups cheese, shredded Mexican blend
- cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook pasta according to the directions on the package.
- Save 1 cup of cheese, ¼ cup black olives and the cilantro.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all remaining ingredients.
- Mix in the cooked pasta and combine.
- Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Cover with remaining cheese and cover with tin foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes then remove the tin foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove and serve with remaining black olives and cilantro. This is also delicious with avocado and salsa.
Notes
Mix cheese in and on top: Ensures cheesy goodness throughout the dish.
Let it rest before serving: This helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Nutrition
Fiesta chicken pasta casserole is the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again when you want something hearty, cheesy and packed with flavor. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, zesty tomatoes and bold spices makes every bite of this Mexican pasta bake with chicken oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re feeding the family or prepping for a get-together, this dish comes together easily and delivers every time. Serve it with a simple salad or extra toppings for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Bold, zesty flavors in every bite! Such a comforting meal!
I made this last night and had my neighbors over for dinner. They loved it and even took a “doggie bag” of it home with them.
Yes! It is delicious as leftovers!
Can I put this casserole together tonight and cook in the over tomorrow? Should I make any changes?
Hi Tabitha, the only change I would recommend is adding another 5 minutes or so on to the baking time (because you’ll be cooking it from chilled). Check it’s piping hot in the center before serving.
This fiesta chicken pasta casserole is a winner! So flavorful and perfect for leftover chicken!
So happy I treid this recipe recently!
My family tried it and they were so obsessed.
We’re trying to keep away from processed food as much as possible so, what can be used instead of the cannned soup?
I have not tried for this particular recipe, but I have used Sour Cream & Chicken Broth in other recipes. Let me know if you try it.
make a bechamel sauce and add taco seasoning or chicken bullion if your trying to stay as close to the original recipe as possible
Thanks for the tip!
Yum! this is my kind of meal