Description
Cheesy Chicken Burrito Casserole brings all the zesty flavors of your favorite Mexican restaurant right to your dinner table. Packed with tender chicken, melted cheese, and bold spices, this one-pan wonder will have your family asking for seconds before the first bite is gone.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup uncooked parboiled long-grain brown rice
- 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 (4 oz) can mild green chilies
Seasonings and Extras:
- 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 (14 oz) can low sodium black beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
- Mix ½ cup diced onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 cup uncooked rice, 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper directly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Whisk 3 cups chicken broth, 1 can green chilies, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 2 tablespoons tomato paste until completely smooth.
- Pour liquid mixture over rice and vegetable combination, stirring to ensure even distribution.
- Incorporate 5 cups shredded chicken, 1 can black beans, and 1 cup frozen corn throughout the dish, spreading ingredients uniformly.
- Seal baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F for 65-70 minutes, checking that rice absorbs all liquid completely.
- Remove foil and sprinkle 1 ¼ cups Monterey Jack cheese across the surface.
- Return casserole to 400°F oven for additional 5-10 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes before serving, giving your dish time to set and flavors to settle.
- Garnish with optional fresh toppings like salsa, chopped cilantro, or sliced avocado for extra brightness.
Notes
- Swap white rice for brown or cauliflower rice to boost nutrition and accommodate gluten-free or low-carb diets.
- Check rice liquid absorption carefully, as different rice types might require adjusted cooking times and liquid ratios.
- Prep ingredients ahead and assemble quickly for an easy weeknight dinner that saves time without sacrificing flavor.
- For vegetarian version, replace chicken with extra beans, tofu, or meat substitute like jackfruit for protein-packed alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg