Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna: A Flavor Fiesta in Minutes!
Craving Mexican flavors but short on time? This Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna is your answer! It’s a delightful twist on the classic Italian dish, swapping pasta sheets for tortillas and layering in all your favorite Southwestern ingredients. This recipe is incredibly easy to customize to your family’s tastes, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken! Get ready for a fiesta of flavors that’s ready in under an hour.
## Why You’ll Love This Mexican Chicken Lasagna
* **Quick and Easy:** Perfect for busy weeknights, this lasagna comes together in minutes.
* **Family-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will love the cheesy, flavorful layers.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses simple, affordable ingredients.
* **Great for Leftovers:** Makes a delicious and satisfying lunch the next day.
* **One-Dish Wonder:** Everything you need for a complete meal is baked in a single dish, minimizing cleanup.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Cooked Chicken:** About 3 cups, shredded. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, or use leftover grilled or baked chicken.
* **Corn Tortillas:** Approximately 8-10, depending on the size of your baking dish. Flour tortillas can be substituted, but corn tortillas provide a more authentic Mexican flavor and hold up better during baking.
* **Black Beans:** One 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained. You can also use pinto beans if preferred.
* **Corn:** One 15-ounce can, drained. Fresh or frozen corn kernels (cooked) are also great options.
* **Salsa:** 1-2 cups, depending on your spice preference. Choose your favorite variety, from mild to hot.
* **Canned Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (Rotel):** One 10-ounce can, undrained. This adds a touch of heat and flavor. If you are sensitive to spice, use plain diced tomatoes and add a pinch of chili powder.
* **Cream Cheese:** 8 ounces, softened. This adds richness and creaminess to the lasagna. Reduced-fat cream cheese can be used.
* **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** ½ cup. This adds tanginess and helps to thin out the cream cheese mixture. Greek yogurt provides a healthier alternative with added protein.
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2-3 cups. A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack is a classic choice, but you can use any cheese that melts well, such as Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
* **Taco Seasoning:** 1-2 tablespoons, depending on your preference. Use a store-bought packet or make your own using a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
* **Optional Toppings:** Chopped cilantro, diced avocado, sliced green onions, jalapenos, salsa, sour cream or guacamole for serving.
## Equipment You’ll Need
* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** Or a similar size.
* **Large Bowl:** For mixing the chicken filling.
* **Spoon or Spatula:** For spreading the layers.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons**
* **Oven**
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna:
**1. Prepare the Chicken Filling:**
* In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, black beans, corn, Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), and taco seasoning. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your liking, depending on your spice preference. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. The Rotel provides a lot of flavor and salt already, so taste before adding more.
**2. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:**
* In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) until smooth and creamy. This mixture adds richness and helps bind the layers together. Make sure the cream cheese is properly softened before starting, or you might end up with lumps.
**3. Assemble the Lasagna:**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
* **Layer 1: Tortillas:** Arrange a layer of corn tortillas on the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping them as needed to cover the surface. You may need to tear some tortillas to fit them properly. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfectly aligned.
* **Layer 2: Chicken Filling:** Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas. Try to distribute it evenly, reaching all corners of the baking dish. This ensures every bite will have a good mix of chicken, beans, and corn.
* **Layer 3: Cream Cheese Mixture:** Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the chicken filling and spread it as evenly as possible. This layer provides a creamy contrast to the savory chicken filling.
* **Layer 4: Cheese:** Sprinkle about one-third of the shredded cheese over the cream cheese mixture. This will melt into a gooey, cheesy layer.
* **Layer 5: Salsa:** Spread half of the salsa evenly over the cheese. The salsa adds moisture and a burst of flavor.
* **Repeat Layers:** Repeat layers 1-5, using the remaining tortillas, chicken filling, cream cheese mixture, cheese, and salsa.
* **Final Layer: Cheese:** Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top layer of salsa. This will create a golden, bubbly crust.
**4. Bake the Lasagna:**
* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Bake for 20 minutes.
* Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. The lasagna is ready when a knife inserted into the center comes out hot.
**5. Let it Rest:**
* Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the layers to set and prevents the lasagna from being too runny.
**6. Garnish and Serve:**
* Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, diced avocado, sliced green onions, jalapenos, salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Serve warm and enjoy!
## Tips and Variations
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Omit the chicken and add more black beans, corn, or other vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini.
* **Add Some Heat:** Use a hotter salsa or add some chopped jalapenos to the chicken filling.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses, such as Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Ensure that your taco seasoning is gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
* **Prep Ahead:** Assemble the lasagna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Freeze for Later:** Assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe dish. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of taco seasoning and salsa to control the spice level.
* **Tortilla Choice:** While corn tortillas are recommended, flour tortillas can be used. If using flour tortillas, consider using a smaller baking dish as they tend to be more pliable and easier to fit.
* **Add Vegetables:** Include other vegetables like diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), onions, or spinach to the chicken mixture for added nutrients and flavor.
* **Cream Cheese Alternative:** If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese or a blend of cottage cheese and sour cream.
* **Protein Boost:** Add cooked ground beef or turkey to the chicken mixture for extra protein.
## Serving Suggestions
This Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad, Spanish rice, or refried beans.
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette complements the rich flavors of the lasagna.
* **Spanish Rice:** Add a side of flavorful Spanish rice for a heartier meal.
* **Refried Beans:** Serve with refried beans for a classic Mexican side dish.
* **Tortilla Chips and Guacamole:** Offer tortilla chips and guacamole for a festive appetizer.
## Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
**Make-Ahead:**
Assembling the lasagna ahead of time is a great way to save time on busy weeknights. You can assemble the entire lasagna (up to the baking step) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply take it out of the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
**Storage:**
* **Refrigerate:** Leftover Mexican Chicken Lasagna can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
* **Freeze:** For longer storage, you can freeze the leftover lasagna. Cut it into individual portions, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen lasagna can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
**Reheating:**
* **Microwave:** Place a portion of lasagna on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Add a splash of water to the plate to prevent the lasagna from drying out.
* **Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the lasagna in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last few minutes to allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate)
*Please note that the following is an estimate, and actual values may vary depending on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*
* **Calories:** 450-550 per serving
* **Protein:** 30-40g
* **Fat:** 25-35g
* **Carbohydrates:** 30-40g
* **Fiber:** 5-7g
## Conclusion
This Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna is a guaranteed winner for busy families. It’s quick, easy, customizable, and packed with flavor. The combination of chicken, beans, corn, salsa, and cheese creates a fiesta in your mouth that will have everyone coming back for seconds. So, ditch the traditional pasta and embrace this Tex-Mex twist on a classic dish. You won’t be disappointed!
Enjoy your delicious and easy Weeknight Mexican Chicken Lasagna!