Ingredients
Chicken and Spices
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- Pinch Himalayan salt
- Pinch ground black pepper
Cheese and Toppings
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
- Handful grape tomatoes (sliced in half)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Chicken: Wash and cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make them thinner. This helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly. Place the chicken pieces at the bottom of a medium-sized casserole dish.
- Season Chicken: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken breasts. Then sprinkle the paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, Himalayan salt, and black pepper over the chicken, coating each piece well.
- Add Cheese Layers: Cut the softened cream cheese into small pieces and spread them evenly on top of the seasoned chicken. Next, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and sliced grape tomatoes. Optional toppings like avocado, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream can be added for extra flavor. Serve warm and enjoy your cheesy taco chicken casserole!
Notes
- Cutting the chicken into thinner pieces helps reduce cooking time and ensures even cooking.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preference such as adding avocado slices, sour cream, or salsa.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to spread easily over the chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on serving needs.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
