Description
Hearty chicken enchilada rice casserole combines Mexican-inspired flavors in one comforting dish. Cheese-topped layers blend shredded chicken, rice, and zesty enchilada sauce for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken (shredded, rotisserie)
- 1 cup black beans (canned, drained, rinsed)
- 2 cups rice (white or brown, cooked)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 cup tomatoes (diced, fresh or canned, drained)
- 1.5 cups enchilada sauce (red or green)
- 2 cups cheese (shredded, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 1 tsp cumin (ground)
- 0.5 tsp paprika (smoked, optional)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
- Sour cream
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- Jalapeno slices
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 375F (190C). Coat large baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mixing: Combine pulled chicken, rice, black beans, corn, green chilies, and shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl. Blend enchilada sauce, seasonings, and sour cream thoroughly into the mixture.
- Assembly: Transfer mixture evenly into prepared baking dish, ensuring uniform distribution. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top to create a complete coverage.
- Baking: Cover casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling surface.
- Finishing: Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving hot.
Notes
- Prevent Rice Clumping: Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and ensure separate, fluffy grains that blend smoothly in the casserole.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with shredded turkey, pulled pork, or plant-based alternatives like jackfruit for diverse dietary preferences and flavor profiles.
- Control Spice Levels: Adjust green chili and enchilada sauce quantities to manage heat intensity, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal taste preferences.
- Enhance Texture Balance: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged varieties to achieve superior melting and prevent grainy consistency in the final casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg