Description
Chicken fajita rice casserole brings a zesty Tex-Mex feast right to your dinner table, blending spicy chicken, fluffy rice, and melted cheese in one delightful baked dish that your family will absolutely devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
Supporting Vegetables:
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
Base and Flavor:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 375F and grab a large mixing bowl to combine ingredients.
- Toss 2 cups of cooked rice with 1 pound diced chicken breast, creating a hearty base for the casserole.
- Add 1 sliced bell pepper and 1 sliced onion to the rice and chicken mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Mix in 1 can of drained black beans and 1 cup of corn to boost the protein and vegetable content.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon each of cumin and chili powder across the bowl, stirring to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour 1 cup of salsa over the mixture, blending everything until well combined.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Scatter 1 cup of shredded cheese across the top, covering the casserole completely.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle.
Notes
- Swap brown rice for white rice to boost fiber and nutritional value for a healthier twist.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help the cheese set and make serving easier.
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture before baking.
- Make this dish vegetarian by replacing chicken with extra black beans or plant-based protein like tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg