Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Mexican Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, flavorful spices, and wholesome ingredients like black beans, corn, and rice baked together with a zesty salsa topping. With melted cheddar cheese crowning this hearty dish, it’s a comforting, one-dish meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 cup black beans, cooked, rinsed & drained
- 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
- 16 oz jarred salsa
Seasoning and Toppings
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature by the time your casserole is assembled.
- Prepare Rice Mixture: In a large 12×9 inch casserole dish, combine the uncooked white rice, minced garlic, chopped onion, and chicken broth. Stir these ingredients well to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Add Main Ingredients: Layer the cubed chicken breasts, black beans, frozen corn, salsa, chili powder, and paprika over the rice mixture. Be careful to keep the rice at the bottom covered by the other ingredients to allow it to cook properly during baking.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a delicious, cheesy crust when baked.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. This allows the chicken and rice to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the cover and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden, indicating the casserole is ready to be served.
Notes
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or increase the chili powder quantity.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce sodium content.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Substitute cheddar cheese with a Mexican cheese blend for extra flavor variety.
Keywords: Mexican chicken casserole, baked chicken recipe, one dish chicken dinner, easy casserole, chicken and rice bake
Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/mexican-chicken-casserole-recipe/
