Budin Azteca (Aztec Tortilla Casserole)
Layers of tortillas, shredded chicken, poblano strips and cheese in smoky tomato sauce, baked until golden.
Made with Tortilla soup base and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.20 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Pour your ready made tortilla soup base (see the base recipe) into a pan and simmer for 10 minutes, until reduced to a pouring sauce.
10 min - 2
Mix your ready made pollo deshebrado (see the base recipe) with a third of the sauce.
- 3
Brush a baking dish with the oil. Lay 4 tortillas on the bottom, overlapping. Spoon over half the chicken, half the poblano strips and a quarter of the cheese.
- 4
Repeat with the remaining tortillas, chicken and poblanos, then pour over the rest of the sauce and top with the remaining cheese.
- 5
Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden at the edges.
25 min - 6
Rest for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and drizzle with crema.
Tips
- Warm the tortillas first so they bend into the dish without splitting.
- Roast the poblanos over a flame or under the grill until blackened, then peel.
- Leave to rest so the layers hold when cut.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze portions for up to 2 months.
Questions
Is budin azteca like lasagne?
Yes, it is a layered Mexican bake with tortillas in place of pasta, sauce and cheese in between.
Can I use cooked vegetables instead?
Yes. Courgette, sweetcorn and mushrooms all work. Swap the chicken for a double portion of vegetables.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble up to a day ahead, cover and bake straight from the fridge, adding 5 minutes.
More made with tortilla soup base
Pollo en Caldillo de Jitomate (Chicken in Light Tomato Sauce)
DFEFNFSopa de Tortilla con Frijoles Negros (Black Bean Tortilla Soup)
DFEFNFHuachinango al Estilo Veracruz (Veracruz Style Baked Fish with Olives)
GFDFEFSopa de Tortilla con Calabacitas y Elote (Courgette and Sweetcorn Tortilla Soup)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.