Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe: A Beginner’s Guide to a Delicious and Healthy Meal
Craving comfort with a healthy twist? 🐔🥦 This Mexican Chicken Casserole is a beginner-friendly masterpiece—easy to make, full of bold flavor, and secretly nutritious! 🌽🧀 Packed with tender chicken, veggies, zesty spices, and melty cheese, it’s the perfect all-in-one meal that hits every craving. Just layer, bake, and enjoy a hearty, feel-good dinner without the stress. 🫓🔥 Great for meal prep, family dinners, or anytime you want Mexican-inspired goodness in every bite! 🌶️🍅
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 (1.5 cup servings) 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chicken broth (you can substitute vegetable broth if you prefer)
- 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 (your favorite brand or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating the oven ensures that the casserole cooks evenly and at the right temperature. This is a critical step, so don’t skip it!
- Prepare the casserole dish. Grab a large 12×9 casserole dish and lay down the uncooked white rice. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Then, add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and chicken broth on top of the rice. Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined. The chicken broth will help cook the rice, infusing it with flavor.
- Add the chicken and other ingredients. Next, add the cubed chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture. Then, add the black beans, defrosted corn, salsa, chili powder, and paprika. It’s okay if the chicken isn’t fully submerged in the broth—just make sure the rice is covered by the liquid. The casserole will bake and cook through beautifully, even if the chicken is partially exposed.
- Top with cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. The cheese will melt into the dish, creating a golden, bubbly topping that makes the casserole extra comforting.
- Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or a lid to keep the moisture in as it bakes. The rice will cook in the chicken broth, and the chicken will stay tender.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. After the 45 minutes are up, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. This allows the cheese to melt and turn golden brown, giving the casserole that perfect finish.
Notes
- What if the rice doesn’t cook properly? If your rice isn’t cooked through after the casserole has finished baking, don’t worry. Simply add a little more chicken broth to the dish, cover it back up, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. This extra time will allow the rice to absorb the liquid and cook through.
- What if the chicken browns too quickly? If you notice that the chicken starts to brown too quickly during baking, it’s likely because the casserole was uncovered for too long. If this happens, just cover the dish with foil and bake for a few more minutes.
- Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese or want a different flavor profile, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a combination of different cheeses. Just keep in mind that some cheeses melt better than others.
- How can I make this dish spicier? If you love heat, you can increase the chili powder or add a diced jalapeño to the casserole. Alternatively, use a spicier salsa variety.
- Don’t skip the stirring step. The rice and broth need to be mixed thoroughly to ensure the rice cooks properly. Stir the ingredients gently but well before adding the chicken and other toppings.
- Use a meat thermometer. To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F. This will prevent undercooked chicken and give you peace of mind while cooking.