Description
Mexican chicken casserole offers comforting layers of cheese and bold flavor. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup black beans
Starches:
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 cup frozen corn
Flavor Enhancers:
- 16 oz jarred salsa
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 12×9 inch casserole dish for assembling the meal.
- Spread 1 cup of long grain white rice evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a uniform base layer.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon minced garlic and ½ cup chopped onion over the rice, distributing them gently.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the dish, stirring the ingredients to ensure the rice is well-moistened.
- Arrange 1.5 lbs of chicken breast cubes carefully on top of the rice mixture, maintaining an even distribution.
- Distribute 1 cup of black beans and 1 cup of defrosted frozen corn across the chicken layer.
- Drizzle 16 oz of jarred salsa over the entire dish, covering the ingredients thoroughly.
- Dust ½ teaspoon of chili powder and ½ teaspoon of paprika evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top, ensuring complete coverage of the casserole.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to allow ingredients to cook and meld together.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.
Notes
- Rinse rice thoroughly before adding to prevent clumping and ensure fluffy texture.
- Use fresh salsa for brighter flavor, or swap with your favorite jarred version for convenience.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into even pieces to guarantee consistent cooking throughout the casserole.
- For a low-carb adaptation, replace rice with cauliflower rice and check cooking time, as it will reduce slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg