Instant Pot Frito Chicken Casserole–creamy chicken casserole with corn, beans and green chiles. It’s topped with a crispy Frito cheesy topping.
Instant Pot Frito Chicken Casserole
This Frito chicken casserole is a super tasty dinner! I love the combination of the creamy chicken mixture topped with the crispy Frito topping. If you love Fritos (I mean who doesn’t?) then you’ll love this easy weeknight dinner. This recipe uses easy ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand. The Instant Pot with air fryer lid* can make this entire dinner all in one pot! That’s what I love the most! Easy clean up.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs–or boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Dehydrated minced onion–or ½ cup fresh onion
- Garlic powder–or granulated garlic
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Black pepper
- Black beans–or pinto beans or kidney beans
- Corn–canned or frozen
- Diced green chiles–or salsa verde
- Pace Picante Sauce–I used mild. You can also use jarred chunky salsa.
- Cornstarch–or flour
- Sour cream–or plain yogurt
- Chili Cheese Fritos–or regular Fritos
- Shredded cheddar cheese–or pepper jack cheese
Steps
Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add in chicken, onion, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper. You can use frozen or fresh chicken.
Dump the beans, corn, green chiles and picante sauce on top. Don’t stir. This will prevent the burn error message.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 12 minutes for frozen chicken. When time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pot until thickened.
Break up the chicken into pieces. Turn off Instant Pot. In a bowl mix together the sour cream and 1 cup of the hot mixture from the Instant Pot. This will prevent the sour cream from separating.
Stir the whole mixture back into the pot.
Sprinkle the Fritos on top.
Sprinkle the cheese on top.
Place air fryer lid on top and set to 300 degrees for 5 minutes. (If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can just scoop the mixture onto plates and top each portion with some Fritos and cheese.)
Scoop onto plates and enjoy. This tastes good with fresh diced tomatoes on top or even some pico de gallo. Slice up some avocado to bring it to a new level.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with sliced avocados, pico de gallo and some diced cilantro on top. This is also great with some shredded lettuce on the side (think taco salad vibes).
- This recipe is gluten-free (just check the Fritos packaging).
- I used my Duo Crisp 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The Frito topping tastes best fresh and will get soggy when stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Other recipes you can make with Fritos are Instant Pot Honey BBQ Fritos Chili Bake and Instant Pot Loaded Frito Taco Soup.
- Ground Beef variation: instead of chicken you can use cooked ground beef. Use 1 pound of ground beef/turkey that has been browned in the place of chicken.
Instant Pot Frito Chicken Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Creamy chicken casserole with corn, beans and green chiles. It’s topped with a crispy Frito cheesy topping.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp dry onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup Pace Picante Sauce (I used mild)
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch + 3 Tbsp water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups chili cheese Fritos
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Pour broth into Instant Pot. Add in chicken, onion, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper. Dump the beans, corn, green chiles and picante sauce on top. Don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 12 minutes for frozen chicken. When time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pot until thickened.
- Break up the chicken into pieces.
- Turn off Instant Pot. In a bowl mix together the sour cream and 1 cup of the hot mixture from the Instant Pot. Stir the whole mixture back into the pot.
- Sprinkle the Fritos on top. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Place air fryer lid on top and set to 300 degrees for 5 minutes. (If you don’t have an air fryer lid you can just scoop the mixture onto plates and top each portion with some Fritos and cheese.)
- Scoop onto plates and enjoy.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot/Air fryer lid
More Instant Pot Recipes with Fritos…
Instant Pot Walking Taco Casserole
An easy one pot Mexican dinner with rice, enchilada sauce, seasoned ground beef, melty cheese and Fritos! Top with lettuce, tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream.
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Salad
Seasoned, tender slices of chicken served atop a bed of romaine lettuce with tomatoes, Fritos, green onions, avocados, cheese and dressing. Chicken is cooked in your Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Instant Pot Texas Haystacks
Instant Pot Texas Haystacks–a scoop of rice with a ladleful of chili over the top and then a generous handful of Fritos, a sprinkling of cheese and any other toppings you love. A warm and comforting meal that everyone loves. Pin this recipe for later! Note: the SLOW COOKER instructions are listed in the recipe
Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme (Instant Pot)
Layers of seasoned chicken, cheese, crunchy Fritos, sour cream and salsa all wrapped in a golden crispy tortilla. Make the chicken fast and easy in your Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Frito Pie Chili
All the flavors from frito pie except in the form of stew. This delicious chili is made really fast and all in one pot using your Instant Pot. You might want to double this recipe and have it for lunch all week!
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Chili
A slightly sweet and slightly spicy chili that comes together quickly with the help of your Instant Pot. It’s the perfect supper for a chilly evening or for watching football. Don’t forget all your favorite toppings!
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
How long should I cook if using browned ground turkey?
I would use a 5 minute pressure cook time
Thanks, Karen. I’ll try it tonight.
I’d also like to make this in a crockpot. Thanks!
How would this be made in a crockpot?
1. Pour broth into slow cooker. Add in chicken, onion, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper. Dump the beans, corn, green chiles and picante sauce on top.
2. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.
3. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn slow cooker to high. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pot. Cook on high without lid for 10 minutes.
4. Break up the chicken into pieces.
5. In a bowl mix together the sour cream and 1 cup of the hot mixture from the slow cooker. Stir the whole mixture back into the pot.
6. Sprinkle the Fritos on top. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Place lid on top and let cheese melt.
7. Scoop onto plates and enjoy.
This is how I would do it:
1. Pour broth into slow cooker. Add in chicken, onion, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper. Dump the beans, corn, green chiles and picante sauce on top.
2. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.
3. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn slow cooker to high. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the pot. Cook on high without lid for 10 minutes.
4. Break up the chicken into pieces.
5. In a bowl mix together the sour cream and 1 cup of the hot mixture from the slow cooker. Stir the whole mixture back into the pot.
6. Sprinkle the Fritos on top. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Place lid on top and let cheese melt.
7. Scoop onto plates and enjoy.