Description
Hearty Mexican chicken and rice casserole delivers a spicy symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy tortilla chips, melted cheese, and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Grains and Beans:
- 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain white or brown rice
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1.75 cups chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese:
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro
- Avocado
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect environment for a sizzling casserole transformation.
- Lovingly coat a spacious 9×13-inch baking vessel with a thin layer of cooking spray or butter, ensuring nothing sticks during the culinary journey.
- In a generous skillet, sauté diced chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, infusing the meat with robust flavors and tender texture.
- Combine cooked rice, salsa, black beans, corn, and green chiles in a substantial mixing bowl, stirring until the ingredients meld into a vibrant, harmonious mixture.
- Fold the perfectly seasoned chicken into the rice blend, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with zesty Mexican-inspired goodness.
- Transfer the tantalizing mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer of deliciousness.
- Shower the casserole with a blanket of shredded cheese, allowing it to melt and create a golden, bubbling surface during baking.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese transforms into a molten, appetizing crown.
- Once emerged from the oven, let the casserole rest for a few minutes, allowing flavors to settle and making serving easier.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions for a burst of color and added freshness before serving.
Notes
- Spice Adjustment: Customize heat levels by choosing mild or hot salsa, and add extra chili powder or jalapeños for bolder flavors.
- Protein Swap: Replace chicken with ground turkey, black beans, or shredded beef for variety and different dietary preferences.
- Cheese Options: Mix cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper jack to create a more complex and rich melted topping.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready, making meal prep easier for busy families.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg