Description
Comfort meets zest in this Mexican Chicken Casserole, a soulful dish brimming with bold flavors and hearty ingredients. Layers of tender chicken, spicy seasonings, and melted cheese create a memorable meal that connects you to authentic Mexican culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Grains and Tortillas:
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 6–8 small flour tortillas
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Spices and Oil:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Garnish and Optional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sliced avocado
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a greased 9×13-inch baking dish for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Combine shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant base for the casserole.
- Introduce sour cream, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the mixture, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Transfer the well-mixed ingredients into the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese across the top, ensuring complete coverage of the casserole’s surface.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbly texture.
- Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld.
- Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and crushed tortilla chips to add a final burst of texture and freshness before serving.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for extra spice.
- Swap rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice to make the dish lower-carb and gluten-free.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for a convenient meal prep option.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save time and add more flavor complexity to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg