Dorito Chicken Casserole with Nacho Cheese Sauce
A comfort food casserole that layers crispy nacho-flavored Dorito chips with seasoned shredded chicken, sauteed bell peppers and onions, all smothered in a rich cream cheese and cheddar sauce. Perfect for feeding a crowd at potlucks or family dinners, this indulgent dish delivers bold Tex-Mex flavors with satisfying crunch in every bite. The homemade cheese sauce combines chicken stock, half-and-half, and cream cheese for ultimate richness, while the layered construction ensures chips stay crispy on top and get perfectly tender underneath.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ½ cup red pepper, diced
- ½ cup green pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno, minced(optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken, cooked, shredded
- ¼ cup taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 10 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 regular size bag Dorito Chips, nacho flavortortilla chips1:1gluten-free
use plain tortilla chips for less sodium
- cilantro, chopped(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- 2
Add butter to a skillet over medium high heat and stir in the peppers, onions and garlic
- 3
Cook until softened then transfer the vegetables to a bowl
- 4
Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until warm, approximately 5-6 minutes
- 5
Stir in the taco seasoning and water and cook for 3-4 minutes then transfer to a bowl
- 6
Melt the remaining butter in the skillet and stir in the flour
- 7
Cook for 2-3 minutes or until it begins to turn golden brown
- 8
Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a boil
- 9
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder and canned tomatoes
- 10
Turn the heat off and stir in the half and half and cream cheese until melted
- 11
Add 1 cup of cheddar and stir until melted
- 12
Add 1/3 of the Doritos to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray
- 13
Arrange 1/2 the chicken in an even layer over the Doritos and top with 1/2 the vegetables
- 14
Top with 1/3 of the Doritos then arrange remaining chicken over the layer of chips
- 15
Top with remaining vegetables
- 16
Pour the cream sauce over the casserole and mix it in with a spatula just a bit
- 17
Arrange the remaining Doritos over the top of the casserole and sprinkle with the rest of the cheddar cheese
- 18
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 30 minutes
- 19
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving
- 20
Serve with chopped cilantro, sour cream and salsa, if desired
Tips
Crush some Doritos before layering to create different textures throughout the casserole
Let the casserole rest for the full 10 minutes after baking to allow the cheese sauce to set and make serving easier
Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook chicken breasts in the same skillet before starting the vegetables
Good to Know
refrigerate covered up to 3 days
assemble completely without final Dorito topping up to 1 day ahead, add chips and cheese before baking
serve hot with sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro on the side
Common Mistakes
add cream cheese off heat to avoid curdling
do not skip the resting time to avoid a soupy casserole
crush some chips to prevent overly large air pockets
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the entire casserole except for the final layer of Doritos and cheese up to 24 hours ahead. Add the top layer just before baking.
What if I do not have half and half?
You can substitute with heavy cream for richer results, or use whole milk though the sauce will be slightly thinner.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish covered at 350°F.