Description
This Mexican Chicken Casserole is a flavorful, hearty one-dish meal combining tender chicken, black beans, corn, rice, and a zesty salsa, all baked together under a gooey layer of melted cheddar cheese. Perfectly balanced with spices like chili powder and paprika, it’s an easy and comforting recipe ideal for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup black beans, cooked, rinsed, and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
- 16 oz jarred salsa
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large 12×9-inch casserole dish, spread the uncooked rice evenly. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and pour the chicken broth over. Stir these together to distribute the ingredients evenly at the base.
- Add Toppings: Layer the cubed chicken breasts, black beans, defrosted corn, salsa, chili powder, and paprika over the rice mixture. Make sure the rice stays mostly at the bottom and is covered well so it cooks evenly during baking.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden on top.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it lighter or adjust for dietary needs.
- For extra spice, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the salsa before layering.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Using pre-cooked chicken can reduce the total cooking time but ensure the rice is cooked thoroughly.
- To make this recipe gluten free, verify that the salsa and broth you use have no gluten-containing ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican chicken casserole, baked chicken casserole, one dish chicken dinner, Mexican comfort food, easy chicken casserole, cheesy chicken casserole
