Chicken & Poultry Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Chicken and Green Chili Casserole
A hearty layered Tex-Mex casserole of tender chicken, tortillas, green chilies, and melted cheese in a creamy sauce.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Instructions
5 steps- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Wrap the chicken breasts in foil and bake for about 1 hour, until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- 2
Reduce the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, blend together the cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup, and milk until smooth.
- 3
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer one-third of the soup mixture, half the torn tortillas, half the chicken, half the onion, half the green chilies, and a third of the cheese.
- 4
Repeat the layering with half the remaining soup mixture, the remaining tortillas, chicken, onion, and green chilies, then top with the remaining soup mixture and the rest of the cheese.
- 5
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 1 hour, until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
60/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving350
Calories
48 g
Protein
3 g
Carbs
15 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Green chili casseroles grew out of the American Southwest, where roasted Hatch and Anaheim chilies were folded into the potluck casserole tradition of the mid-twentieth century. The dish marries Tex-Mex flavors with the convenience-cooking habits of that era, layering shredded chicken, mild green chilies, and cheese into a single bake. It is the kind of warming, shareable dish that shows up at church suppers and family gatherings.
Listahan note
This version leans on mild canned or roasted green chilies so the flavor reads bright and tangy rather than fiery, keeping it kid-friendly. It uses already-cooked chicken so the casserole comes together as an assembly job.
Technique cues
- Drain the green chilies well so the casserole sets up rather than turning watery in the center.
- Layer tortilla pieces between the filling so they soften into a tender, almost lasagna-like structure instead of going soggy on top.
- Let the casserole rest ten minutes out of the oven so the cheese and sauce firm enough to cut clean squares.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Shred the chicken and grate the cheese while the oven preheats so assembly takes only a few minutes.
- Make-ahead
- Assemble the whole casserole the night before, refrigerate covered, and add ten minutes to the bake time.
- Leftover move
- Cube cold leftovers and crisp them in a skillet, then tuck into warm tortillas for breakfast burritos.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Line the baking dish with a sheet of parchment so the cheesy edges lift out and the dish wipes clean.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
cooked shredded chicken
hearty protein
Purpose: Pre-cooked chicken makes this an assembly casserole and soaks up the green chili tang.
Handling: Shred into bite-size pieces so every forkful has meat.
Adaptation: Rotisserie chicken is the easiest source, or use leftover turkey.
mild green chilies
signature flavor
Purpose: Roasted green chilies give the dish its tangy, gently smoky character without much heat.
Handling: Drain thoroughly and chop if the pieces are large.
Adaptation: Fresh roasted and peeled Anaheim chilies bring more depth if you have time to char them.
corn tortillas
tender layers
Purpose: Torn tortillas thicken the casserole and give it a soft, satisfying structure.
Handling: Tear into rough strips so they distribute evenly between layers.
Adaptation: Flour tortillas work for a softer bite, or skip them and serve over rice.
Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
melting binder
Purpose: Mild melting cheese pulls the layers together and adds richness.
Handling: Grate fresh off the block for the smoothest melt.
Adaptation: A dairy-free shredded cheese melts acceptably for a lactose-free version.
sour cream
creamy tang
Purpose: It loosens the sauce and balances the chilies with cooling richness.
Handling: Stir in off the heat so it does not curdle.
Adaptation: Plain Greek yogurt lightens it, or use a dairy-free sour cream.
Technique notes
- Char the green chilies briefly if using fresh to deepen the roasted flavor before they go in.
- Reserve a handful of cheese for the top in the last ten minutes so it browns without overcooking.
- Whisk a little of the sour cream into the chili liquid first to temper it and prevent a broken, greasy sauce.
Ingredient swaps
- Gluten-free direction
- Use certified corn tortillas and check that any cream-of soup or broth is gluten-free.
- Dairy-free option
- Swap dairy-free cheese and a plant-based sour cream, and use a cashew-cream binder.
- Lighter direction
- Use Greek yogurt for the sour cream and reduce the cheese by a third.
Serve alongside
- Cilantro-lime rice
- Black beans with cumin
- Shredded romaine salad with avocado
- Agua fresca de jamaica
- Mexican lager with lime
- Sparkling limeade
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Cool fully, then refrigerate covered up to four days. Reheat covered at 350F until hot through, or microwave individual squares with a splash of broth to keep them moist. It freezes well for up to two months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Equipment
- Nine-by-thirteen baking dish
- Box grater
- Rubber spatula
- Aluminum foil for covering
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Chicken and Green Chili Casserole to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
More Chicken & Poultry recipes
Chicken & Poultry Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Garlicky Baked Chicken
Tender baked chicken in a quick, garlicky mayonnaise marinade with a hint of Italian herbs.
Chicken & Poultry Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Tender marinated chicken simmered in a rich, spiced tomato-butter cream sauce, a beloved Indian restaurant classic.
Chicken & Poultry Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Spicy Cherry Glazed Chicken
Tender baked chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-and-spicy dried cherry sauce.