Easy Chicken Burrito Casserole Recipe
This Easy Chicken Burrito Casserole is a flavorful, hearty one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining shredded chicken, brown rice, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and a blend of spices, it’s baked to perfection with a mild green chili kick, making it a delicious twist on classic burrito flavors without the hassle of rolling tortillas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Beans
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen)
- 1 (14 ounce) can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (4 ounce) can mild green chilies
Grains
- 1 cup uncooked parboiled long-grain brown rice (can also use long grain white rice)
Protein
- 5 cups shredded cooked chicken
Seasonings & Liquids
- 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready once the casserole is assembled.
- Prepare the Veggies: Finely dice the onion and red bell pepper, and set aside. This allows you to combine fresh, flavorful vegetables evenly throughout the dish.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked brown rice, diced onion, red bell pepper, corn kernels, drained black beans, shredded chicken, fajita seasoning, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add Broth and Chilies: Pour in the 3 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth and the can of mild green chilies. Mix well to distribute the chilies evenly throughout the casserole mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread it evenly to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. This baking step allows the flavors to meld and the rice to cook through perfectly.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set for easier portioning and enhances taste.
Notes
- Using parboiled brown rice helps reduce the overall cooking time while retaining a nutty flavor and firm texture.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, increase the cayenne pepper or add a diced jalapeño for extra heat.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a cheesy twist, sprinkle shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- To make this dish gluten free, ensure your fajita seasoning is gluten free or make your own seasoning blend.
Keywords: chicken casserole, burrito casserole, easy chicken casserole, Mexican chicken bake, one-dish meal, brown rice casserole
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/easy-chicken-burrito-casserole-recipe/
