Texas Trash Chicken Casserole
Texas Trash Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce, one can
- 16 ounces refried beans, one can
For the Chicken
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, for seasoning chicken
For the Creamy Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces diced green chiles, one can, undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar blend cheese, for creamy topping
- 1/4 cup jarred salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, for creamy topping
For Finishing
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar blend cheese, for final sprinkle
- 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 2
Pour the entire can of red enchilada sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, place scoops of refried beans evenly spaced on top of the enchilada sauce. Aim for one scoop per chicken thigh.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Place one raw chicken thigh on top of each scoop of refried beans in the baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Generously season the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, the undrained diced green chiles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar blend cheese, 1/4 cup of jarred salsa, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Using the same ice cream scoop or a spoon, dollop scoops of the creamy topping mixture onto each chicken thigh. Then, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the mixture out, completely covering each chicken thigh.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 350
- 9
Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar blend cheese evenly over the entire top of the casserole.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 350
- 11
Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped green onions if desired, and serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Texas Trash Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 10 ounces red enchilada sauce, one can
- 16 ounces refried beans, one can
For the Chicken
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, for seasoning chicken
For the Creamy Topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces diced green chiles, one can, undrained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar blend cheese, for creamy topping
- 1/4 cup jarred salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, for creamy topping
For Finishing
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar blend cheese, for final sprinkle
- 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 2
Pour the entire can of red enchilada sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, place scoops of refried beans evenly spaced on top of the enchilada sauce. Aim for one scoop per chicken thigh.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Place one raw chicken thigh on top of each scoop of refried beans in the baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Generously season the chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, the undrained diced green chiles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar blend cheese, 1/4 cup of jarred salsa, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Using the same ice cream scoop or a spoon, dollop scoops of the creamy topping mixture onto each chicken thigh. Then, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the mixture out, completely covering each chicken thigh.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 350 - 9
Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar blend cheese evenly over the entire top of the casserole.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 350 - 11
Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped green onions if desired, and serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min