This Mexican Chicken Lasagna is a mouthwatering fusion dish that combines the comforting layers of traditional lasagna with bold Mexican flavors. Ready in under an hour, this colorful casserole features tender shredded chicken, soft tortillas, black beans, and corn, all brought together with a vibrant spinach-cilantro sauce and melty cheese. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner solution when you’re craving something hearty yet refreshingly different!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick Assembly: Forget hours of cooking! This lasagna comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time – perfect for those busy evenings when you want something impressive without the hassle.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of taco-seasoned chicken, fresh cilantro, and salsa creates an incredible depth of flavor that beats traditional pasta lasagna any day of the week.
Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike love this fun twist on lasagna. The familiar format with exciting flavors makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Versatile: This recipe easily adapts to what you have on hand or dietary preferences – making it perfect for feeding vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Tortillas: These create the foundation of our lasagna layers, replacing traditional pasta sheets for a Mexican twist. They soften during baking to create perfect lasagna-like layers.
Rotisserie Chicken: The star protein that saves tons of time. The pre-cooked meat absorbs taco seasoning beautifully while staying juicy and tender.
Taco Seasoning: This magical blend infuses the chicken with classic Mexican flavors – no measuring individual spices required!
Black Beans: These provide hearty protein, fiber, and that authentic Mexican dish element. They also add wonderful texture contrast.
Corn: Adds sweet pops of flavor and bright color throughout the dish. The slight crunch brings an interesting textural element.
Spinach & Cilantro: These greens get blended with salsa to create a vibrant, nutrient-packed sauce that adds freshness and color throughout.
Salsa: Works as both a flavor booster and moisture element that helps bind everything together. Choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your heat preference.
Mexican Cheese Blend: Creates that irresistible melty, stretchy layer that browns beautifully on top. The blend of cheeses provides the perfect balance of creaminess and flavor.

Variations

Different Proteins

Substitute ground beef or turkey seasoned with taco seasoning for a more traditional Mexican dish feel. For a spectacular seafood version, try using cooked shrimp instead of chicken.

Bean Varieties

Switch black beans for pinto or kidney beans for different flavors and textures. For bean lovers, double the amount for an extra protein-packed meal.

Vegetarian Delight

Skip the chicken entirely and double up on beans and corn, or add sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetable version.

Spice Level Adjustments

Make it milder by using a sweet salsa and skipping the jalapeños, or crank up the heat with hot salsa, extra jalapeños, and a sprinkle of cayenne in the spinach mixture.

How to Make Mexican Chicken Lasagna

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 425°F and give your casserole dish a good spray with nonstick spray. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the taco seasoning with the shredded chicken until every piece is coated with those fabulous Mexican spices.

Step 2: Create The Green Sauce

Add your fresh spinach, cilantro, and salsa to a food processor. Pulse until you have a vibrant green mixture with everything nicely chopped and combined. This sauce is what brings amazing freshness to every layer!

Step 3: Start Layering

Arrange 6 tortillas on the bottom of your casserole dish, slightly overlapping them to create a solid base. This foundation will hold all your delicious fillings.

Step 4: Build The First Layer

Sprinkle one cup of the cheese over the tortillas, then add half the beans, half the corn, and half the seasoned chicken. Spread one cup of your green spinach mixture evenly over everything.

Step 5: Create The Second Layer

Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas, beans, corn, and chicken. Top with the rest of your spinach mixture and crown it all with the remaining cheese for that perfect melty finish.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes until everything is heated through and the cheese starts bubbling. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top achieves that irresistible golden-brown color.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Tortilla Selection: Choose tortillas that are fresh and pliable. If they’re a bit stiff, warm them briefly in the microwave under a damp paper towel to make them more flexible for layering.
Even Distribution: When adding ingredients between layers, spread them evenly across the entire dish for consistent flavor in every bite.
Let It Rest: Allow the lasagna to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes it much easier to slice into clean portions.
Sauce Consistency: If your spinach-cilantro mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
Cheese Strategy: Reserve about 1/4 of your cheese to sprinkle on top during the last few minutes of baking for the perfect golden crust.

How to Serve

This Mexican Chicken Lasagna is a complete meal on its own, but these serving suggestions make it even more special:

Toppings Bar

Create a toppings station with diced avocado, extra sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced jalapeños, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro. Let everyone customize their portion.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette or Mexican street corn for a restaurant-worthy meal. A light cucumber and tomato salad also provides refreshing contrast.

Beverage Pairings

This dish pairs wonderfully with a cold Mexican beer, a classic margarita, or for non-alcoholic options, try horchata or a sparkling water with lime.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making day-two lasagna sometimes even more delicious!

Freezing

This lasagna freezes beautifully! After baking, let it cool completely, then cut into individual portions and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze the entire assembled but unbaked lasagna for up to 1 month.

Reheating

For refrigerated leftovers, reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or add extra time if heating from frozen.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna with corn tortillas instead of flour?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas work wonderfully and add an authentic touch. They tend to be smaller, so you might need a few more to cover each layer completely. They also add a nice distinctive corn flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

How can I make this dish lower in calories?
Several easy adjustments can lighten this dish: use reduced-fat cheese (but not fat-free, as it won’t melt properly), opt for extra-lean ground turkey instead of chicken, increase the vegetable content with extra spinach or added bell peppers, and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for topping. The great thing is, these changes won’t sacrifice flavor!

Can I prepare this ahead of time and bake it later?
Definitely! Assemble the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time since you’re starting with cold ingredients. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for busy days.

Is there a way to make the top extra crispy?
For an extra crispy top, after the initial baking time, switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch it carefully to prevent burning! You can also sprinkle a mixture of cheese and crushed tortilla chips on top during the final 10 minutes of baking for added texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Mexican Chicken Lasagna brings together the best of two beloved cuisines in one spectacular dish. The layers of flavor, the melty cheese, and the brilliant colors make this not just a meal, but an experience to share with family and friends. Whether you’re looking for a new twist on taco Tuesday or a comforting casserole with a kick, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Give it a try – I’m confident it will become a regular request in your home!

Mexican Chicken Lasagna Recipe