Savory Chicken & Black Bean Tortilla Bake
This Savory Chicken & Black Bean Tortilla Bake is a delightful one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, hearty black beans, and zesty salsa layered between corn tortillas and gooey melting cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this casserole is not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor. Serve it topped with creamy yogurt, fresh avocado slices, and crispy green onions for a satisfying meal that everyone will love!
6
Servings
467
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (heated)
Yellow onion
1 large (chopped)
Green bell pepper
1/2 (chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (slightly pureed, including juice)
Prepared salsa
1/2 cup (none)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Black beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained and rinsed)
Cooked chicken breasts
2-3 cups (cubed)
Corn tortillas
8 (none)
Monterey Jack cheese
4 cups (grated)
Plain nonfat yogurt
as desired (for serving)
Sour cream
as desired (for serving)
Avocado
as desired (sliced, for serving)
Green onion
as desired (sliced, for serving)
Black olives
as desired (chopped, for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
2
Stir in the slightly pureed tomatoes, prepared salsa, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix well and let simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
3
Add the rinsed black beans and cubed cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir gently until everything is fully combined and heated through.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5
In a lightly oiled 4-quart casserole dish, spread 1/3 of the chicken and bean mixture evenly across the bottom.
6
Layer 4 corn tortillas over the mixture, and then sprinkle with 1 cup of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
7
Add another 1/3 of the chicken and bean mixture followed by another cup of cheese.
8
Place 4 more corn tortillas on top, cover with the remaining chicken and bean mixture, and sprinkle with the last cup of cheese.
9
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and hot.
10
Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
11
Allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with plain nonfat yogurt, sour cream, avocado slices, sliced green onions, and chopped black olives as desired.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
55g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Chicken & Black Bean Tortilla Bake?
It is a hearty one-dish casserole that layers tender chicken, black beans, salsa, and corn tortillas with melted Monterey Jack cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the primary proteins in this dish?
The primary proteins are cooked chicken breasts and black beans.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 467 calories.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the baking process take?
It bakes for 40 minutes covered with foil, then an additional 10 minutes uncovered.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
Should I use corn or flour tortillas?
This recipe specifically uses 8 corn tortillas.
Do the chicken breasts need to be cooked beforehand?
Yes, the recipe requires 2-3 cups of cubed cooked chicken breasts.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 14 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 30 grams of protein.
What are the carbohydrate counts for this dish?
There are 55 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What vegetables are sautéed in the initial step?
Yellow onion, green bell pepper, and garlic are sautéed first.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
You should use one 14.5-ounce can of tomatoes, slightly pureed with their juice.
What spices are used to season the mixture?
The seasonings include ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
How many layers of tortillas are in the bake?
There are two distinct layers of 4 tortillas each, totaling 8 tortillas.
What size casserole dish is required?
A 4-quart casserole dish is recommended.
Should the black beans be drained?
Yes, the black beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the mixture.
How much salsa is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of prepared salsa.
What are the suggested garnishes for this meal?
Suggested garnishes include plain nonfat yogurt, sour cream, avocado slices, green onions, and chopped black olives.
Does the dish need to rest after baking?
Yes, allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
How much vegetable oil is used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used.
What type of onion is best for this recipe?
A large yellow onion, chopped, is recommended.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
Can I use yogurt as a topping?
Yes, plain nonfat yogurt is recommended as a creamy topping option.
Is the casserole covered or uncovered during the first 40 minutes?
It should be covered with aluminum foil for the first 40 minutes.
What makes the cheese golden on top?
Baking the dish uncovered for the final 10 minutes allows the cheese to melt and turn golden.
How much ground cumin is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and an easy recipe suitable for family meals.
How many cans of black beans are used?
The recipe uses two 15-ounce cans of black beans.