101 Cooking For Two

  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • FAQs/Help
  • Shop
  • ๐Ÿ“–Emails
ร—
๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Mexican Recipes

Crock Pot Mexican Casserole with Chicken

Updated: Jan 10, 2024 ยท Published: Nov 23, 2014 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

This easy Crock Pot Mexican Casserole is packed with tender pasta, chicken, black beans, and a spicy Southwest sauce loaded with cheese. Easy to make in almost any size crock pot with raw chicken, dry pasta, and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts
Pasta
Shredded cheeseโ€”Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Spicesโ€”chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper
Pantryโ€”tomato sauce, black beans, RoTel

Mexican pasta casserole on a spoon.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Mexican Casserole in a Crock Potโ€”Step-by-Step
  • ๐Ÿ“Can I use rotisserie or other chicken?
  • Mexican Casserole Recipes
  • โ†•๏ธHow to make this a "for two" or "family size " recipe
  • How to adjust the heat
  • Serving
  • Storage of leftovers
  • FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

We all need a few easy meals we can make and get a few meals. It is even better if it has excellent Southwest flavors and is a healthy meal that is low in calories and fat.

This Tex-Mex crock pot chicken pasta casserole takes almost no skill. Just open a few cans and shred a chicken breast. Or you can even skip the shredding by using rotisserie chicken or try my freezer burn chicken recipe.

How to Make Mexican Casserole in a Crock Potโ€”Step-by-Step

ingredients for Southwest Chicken Casserole.

1. Trim two skinless boneless chicken breasts of any visible fat.

adding dry pasta to a crock pot with tomato sauce.

2. Add one 14 oz can tomato sauce, 14 oz can black beans rinsed, 10.5 oz can of Rotel, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder, ยฝ teaspoon salt, ยผ teaspoon pepper, and 1 cup dry pasta (uncooked) to a 3 to 4 quart or larger crock pot.

adding pieces of raw chicken to the cork pot with sauce and pasta.

3. Add two trimmed chicken breasts. Push down into the liquid until covered.

shredded chicken on a black board.

4. Cook on low for 4 hours total. At 3 hours into the cooking, remove the chicken and shred.

mixing shredded chicken and cheese into crock pot.

5. Add chicken with ยพ cup shredded Mexican mix or cheddar cheese to the crock pot. Mix well, then top with ยผ cup of the cheese.

cheesy chicken casserole on a large spoon over the crock pot.

6. Cook for the final hour, or the pasta is tender but not overcooked.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

๐Ÿ“Can I use rotisserie or other chicken?

You could use previously cooked chicken like a rotisserie chicken. You need about 2-3 cups of shredded chicken. It is a casserole, so you can vary that amount for your tastes and the amount you have.

You do not want that already cooked chicken cooking for an additional 4 hoursโ€”it will dry out. Add it near the end with the cheese.

I suggest two raw, boneless skinless chicken breasts. They can go into the dish raw and be shredded near the end of cooking. You could use chicken thighs also.

cheesy chicken casserole on a white plate.

Mexican Casserole Recipes

Don't miss these other delicious Mexican casseroles. Start with one of my favorite beef recipes, Taco Casserole. For other chicken recipes, see Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Enchilada Casserole, or Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole.

โ†•๏ธHow to make this a "for two" or "family size " recipe

This recipe will make 6 servings of about 1 ยฝ cups in my 3 ยฝ quart crock pot. I suggest a 3 to 4-quart crock pot, but a larger crock pot may be used, but it may cook a little faster.

A half recipe may be made in a 2-quart mini crock pot, and a double recipe needs 6 quarts or larger.

  1. Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings to half or double.
  2. Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructionsโ€”those do not adjust.
  3. The half recipe will fit in a 2-quart mini crock pot.
  4. A double recipe fits in a 6-quart or larger crock pot.
  5. Cook until the pasta is tender, probably longer for double and less for mini crock pot size.

How to adjust the heat

As written, the heat is about 3-4 out of 10โ€”a little too spicy for little ones.

Most of the heat comes from the Rotel. You may use a can of drained diced tomatoes or mild salsa to replace it. That will leave the dish a bit bland, so add a small can of diced mild green chilies, add some onion or onion powder, and increase the other spices to taste.

Serving

Top with more shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dab of sour cream. Slices of jalapeno, black olives, green onion, and avocado make good additions. Serve with Mexican rice, Guacamole, refried beans, corn chips, and salsa.

Storage of leftovers

Seal leftovers in an airtight container. Good refrigerated for 4 days and can be frozen for 4 months.

To reheat leftovers, thaw first overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat covered in an air fryer or oven. A microwave may be used, but it may affect the texture of the chicken.

FAQs

My chicken does not want to shred well. What can I do?

To shred easily, chicken needs to be 165ยฐ; be sure to reach it before shredding. Be sure not to use frozen chicken. Thick chicken may take longer, and some crock pots cook slower.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Casserole Recipes, Crock Pot Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Mini Crock Pot Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Small Crock Pots Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card

Mexican pasta casserole on a spoon.

Crock Pot Mexican Casserole with Chicken

4.05 from 22 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
This easy Crock Pot Mexican Casserole is packed with tender pasta, chicken, black beans, and a spicy Southwest sauce loaded with cheese. Easy to make in almost any size crock pot with raw chicken, dry pasta, and pantry ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjust if desired 6

Save this recipe link to your inbox for later!

Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • 14 oz tomato sauce
  • 14 oz black beans - low sodium, rinsed
  • 10 oz RoTel
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup dry pasta
  • 1 cup shredded cheese - like Cheddar or a Mexican blend

Instructions
 

  • trimming chicken breasts on a white board
    Trim two skinless boneless chicken breasts of any visible fat.
  • adding dry pasta to a crock pot with tomato sauce
    Add one 14 oz can tomato sauce, 14 oz can black beans rinsed, 10.5 oz can of Rotel, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder, ยฝ teaspoon salt, ยผ teaspoon pepper, and 1 cup dry pasta (uncooked) to a 3 to 4 quart or larger crock pot.
  • adding pieces of raw chicken to the cork pot with sauce and pasta
    Add two trimmed chicken breasts. Push down into the liquid until covered.
  • shredded chicken on a black board
    Cook on low for 4 hours total. At 3 hours into the cooking, remove the chicken and shred.
  • mixing shredded chicken and cheese into crock pot
    Add chicken with ยพ cup shredded Mexican mix or cheddar cheese to the crock pot. Mix well, then top with ยผ cup of the cheese.
  • cheesy chicken casserole on a large spoon over the crock pot
    Cook for the final hour, or the pasta is tender but not overcooked.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. Instructions for a half recipe in a 2-quart mini crock pot or a double recipe in a 6-quart crock pot are in the post.
  2. You need about 1 to 1 ยฝ pounds of shredded chicken. You can use precooked chicken if you want, but the pasta will still take about 4 hours on low. Add the precooked chicken in the last hour of cooking, not at the beginning.
  3. Dry pasta in crock pot dishes is generally standard American dry pasta. Whole wheat pasta has less gluten and is more likely to turn to mush. Gluten-free even more so. So, if you use a non-standard pasta, the results may not be good. Also, since crock pots vary, the cooking time of the pasta may vary some, so check it a few times.
  4. I use the Rotel for both some tomato and spicing. It provides most of the heat. If you don't want that, use a drained can of diced tomatoes. Be sure to drain. You probably will want to up the other spices a bit and consider a small can of chopped mild chilies.
  5. This is already low-fat and low-calorie. You can skip the cheese if you want even lower numbers, but you want the cheese.
  6. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be frozen for 3-4 months.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect.

To adjust the recipe size:

You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories : 249 kcal (12%)Carbohydrates : 29 g (10%)Protein : 21 g (42%)Fat : 6 g (9%)Saturated Fat : 3 g (15%)Cholesterol : 39 mg (13%)Sodium : 862 mg (36%)Potassium : 725 mg (21%)Fiber : 8 g (32%)Sugar : 4 g (4%)Vitamin A : 578 IU (12%)Vitamin C : 9 mg (11%)Calcium : 139 mg (14%)Iron : 3 mg (17%)
Serving size is my estimate of a normal size. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

ยฉ 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors.

Originally published November 23, 2014. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

dogs in snow.

More Mexican Recipes

  • Chicken taco nacho chip in hand.
    Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
  • Pile of freezer burnt chicken breasts.
    Freezer Burnt Chicken Rescueโ€”Shredded Mexican
  • Chicken fajita with toppings on a gray plate.
    Easy and Flavorful Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas
  • shredded pork loin on a bun with sauce
    Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin

Comments

    This post has been updated and republished. All comments are held for moderation due to spam issues. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Please leave a comment or question. All comments are moderated.




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Carol says

    June 28, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    The 1 tsp chili powder and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder is corrected in the list but not in the instructions. Just letting you know. I am making this today to use the shredded chicken from the "freezer burnt rescue" I found on your site. Excellent idea. I have all of these ingredients in my pantry! I will be back to use more of your nice recipes. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      June 28, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      Hi Carol,

      Welcome to the blog.

      Thanks for the note, the correction (now fixed), and the rating. The freezer-burnt chicken will work well here.

      Dan

  2. Marie says

    February 19, 2022 at 11:48 am

    Can it be done without pasta?

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      February 19, 2022 at 11:52 am

      Hi Marie,

      Welcome to the blog.

      Yes, but you will have too much liquid since the pasta won't be there to absorb it. Cut back on the Rotel or tomato sauce.

      Dan

  3. Anita Angdahl says

    November 06, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Is this recipe new. I remember a similar one years ago, believe it was on an ad for Rotel. I Don't remember putting pasta in, but a can of corn was added. Of course I've lost the recipe after all these years.

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      November 06, 2017 at 9:40 pm

      Yep, new at the time. I had a great crock pot ziti ( https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/crockpot-baked-ziti/ ) so I was experimenting with crock pot pasta recipes. I remember the first run of this recipe, way too hot. I obviously had the spicing way off.

      If the recipe you remember was in an ad for RoTel, check their web site. They have a large recipe section.

      Dan

  4. Rex says

    January 01, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Bought a Crock-Pot at Kroger well over a month ago. Chick fil a was closed last night so I was stuck without any chicken tortilla soup today. This morning I decided on a whim to finally use that crock pot. On the way back from dnd I googled SW chicken and found this. Spent 5 mins at Kroger acquiring the goods. Could not have been simpler. Turned out great. And economic, too. I'll make it again. But next time I'll put the pasta in after 2 hours. Maybe later. Firmer pasta would've made this even better.

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      January 02, 2017 at 7:31 pm

      Hi Rex,
      Thanks for the note. The paste probably needs at least 2 hours plus. So your end point would be the pasta being done.
      You will love your crockpot if you like leftovers like we do.
      Dan

  5. David Pignotti says

    August 24, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    I tried this recipe last week and it was great! The chicken seemed pretty undercooked at 3 hour on low. I had to kick it to high for the next hour or two.

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      August 24, 2016 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks for the note. I always check with a thermometer on things like this for 165. They just don't shred well if not done. This probably one of those variables. Different pots and different thickness of chicken breasts.

  6. Alycia says

    January 14, 2015 at 2:33 am

    I was just curious if you could do this with rice instead of pasta?

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      January 14, 2015 at 12:51 pm

      I really don't think so. They cook so differently.
      DrDan

  7. Lfarren216@comcast.net says

    January 13, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    Love the uncooked macaroni and cheese great success

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      January 13, 2015 at 7:59 pm

      Crock Pots really can do pasta well if you're careful.
      Thanks for the comment.
      DrDan

  8. DrDan says

    December 05, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Nope, my bad... proof-reading failure complicated by cut and paste. It is 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Post is now corrected.
    Thanks for the pickup
    DrDan

    Reply

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
About DrDan

Pan Seared 30-min. Dinners

  • NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak

  • pork tenderloin on blue platter
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin

  • cooked seared chicken breast on a white plate
    Pan Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

  • filtet mignon with potatoes on a white plate
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon

  • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Chops from 101 Cooking for Two
    Pan Seared Oven Roasted Pork Chops

  • 30 Minute Boneless Pork Ribs

SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.
SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.

Footer

BACK TO TOP
OF PAGE
Join the club
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

About

  • About DrDan and the Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Comment Policy
  • Guest Posts, Partnering, and Business Questions

Content

  • Food FAQ
  • Kitchen Reference Sheets
  • Recipes Featured in the Videos
  • Guide To Cooking for Two
  • Old Saved Recipes Collections
dogs by the pond

โ†‘ back to top โ†‘a

Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact

COPYRIGHT ยฉ 2010-2025 101 COOKING FOR TWO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BASED ON FOODIE PRO THEME