Are you looking for a tasty easy to cook dinner that is packed with flavour? Fiesta Chicken Casserole is the ideal dish! This filling, creamy and slightly spicy casserole is a perfect blend of the fiery flavors of Mexican-inspired food and the soft, comforting taste of baked meal. If you’re hosting family meal or are preparing a meal for the week ahead, this recipe is one you must try!
Introduction
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is an tasty, one-pan recipe that blends succulent chicken and creamy cheese, vibrant spice, as well as a wide range of veggies for a delicious meal that is both delicious and easy to cook. Ideal for busy dinner times the recipe needs little effort and produces high-end results. It’s also an excellent method to make use of leftover chicken!
This recipe is adored for its smooth texture, delicious flavor, and its flexibility–you can easily modify the ingredients to fit your tastes. No matter if you like spicy or mild it can be made to suit your preferences.
Ingredients for Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 cup of uncooked brown or white rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 1 oz) black beans drain and washed
- 1 can (15 OZ) corn that has been empty
- 1 can (10 10 oz) diced tomatoes, topped with chillies (Rotel recommends)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- Half teaspoon powder of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoke the paprika
- Black pepper and salt to taste
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Half cup of chopped green onions (for for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
Optional Additions & Substitutions:
- Substitute rice for it with cauliflower rice to make a low-carb version.
- Incorporate chopped jalapenos for added spice.
- Make use of Greek yogurt in place of Sour cream to make a lighter version.
- Swap black beans with pinto beans If you prefer.
How to Make Fiesta Chicken Casserole – Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Pre-heat your oven to the temperature of 375 degrees F (190degC). Grease an 9×13-inch baking dish using cooking spray or apply a light layer in olive oil.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
In a medium saucepan cook the rice according to the package instructions making use of the broth of chicken as opposed to water. This will add flavor!
Step 3: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Cooked rice
- Corn, black beans along with diced tomatoes
- Sour cream, and cream cheese
- Spices (chili powder garlic powder, cumin onion powders, smoking paprika salt as well as pepper)
Mix everything until thoroughly blended.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Place half of the mixture in the baking dish you have prepared.
- Spread some of the cheeses over the cheese layer.
- Mix the remaining ingredients of the casserole.
- Serve with the remaining cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
Cover the dish in aluminum foil, and cook the dish for approximately 25 minutes. Take off the foil, and cook another 15 to 20 to 15 minutes till the cheese has bubbly and melts.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once cooked allow the casserole to rest in the refrigerator for about 5 mins prior to serving. Serve with chopped fresh cilantro and green onions..
Helpful Tips for Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Utilize pre-cooked chicken such as rotisserie chickens to speed up the process.
- Add some spice through the addition of crushed red pepper chips and hot sauce.
- Make the casserole ahead by making your casserole early in the day, and baking it in the afternoon.
Cooking Tips for the Best Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Utilize freshly shredded cheese to get greater melting. The cheese that is pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that may affect the texture.
- Allow the casserole to rest before cutting it into pieces to let the flavors blend.
- Customize your HTML0 with toppings such as avocado dices additional cheese, tortilla strips to add crunch.
Serving Suggestions for Fiesta Chicken Casserole
This dish can be paired with:
- A refreshing salad of green dressed with avocado.
- Warm corn or flour tortillas for a taco experience.
- Rice cooked in the Mexican style and refried beans to make an extra-full dinner.
Nutritional Information
This dish is brimming with fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients and is extremely satisfying.
Dietary Details (per portion):
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 7g
- Calcium: 20% DV
Storage and Leftovers for Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4-days.
- Freezing The casserole is great for freezing! The portions are wrapped tightly and frozen until 3 months..
- Reheating Place in oven and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or heat portions of the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Q1 Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes! Prepare it in advance then cover and refrigerate. Bake when it is ready.
Q2 What if I used shreds of turkey instead in place of chicken?
Absolutely! The leftover turkey is equally well.
Question 3: How do help make the dish more nutritious?
Make use of Greek yogurt in place of Sour cream Switch brown rice with white rice and cut down on cheese, if necessary.
Q4 How do I best to heat leftovers?
The oven makes it crisp However, the microwave can be faster!
Related Recipes for Fiesta Chicken Lovers
For more ideas for dinner take a look at these delicious recipe ideas from The Optimal Cookbook:
- Scallion Chicken Recipe – Easy & Delicious Dinner Idea
- Cheesy Beef and Noodles Skillet – Easy Family Dinner
- Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole – Easy Dinner RecipePrint
Easy Fiesta Chicken Casserole Recipe for Dinner
Description
Looking for a delicious, easy-to-make dinner that’s packed with flavor? Fiesta Chicken Casserole is the perfect dish! This hearty, cheesy, and slightly spicy casserole brings together the bold flavors of Mexican-inspired cuisine with the comforting texture of a baked dish. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is a must-try!
Ingredients
ScaleMain Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel recommended)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Optional Additions & Substitutions:
- Substitute rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version.
- Swap black beans for pinto beans if preferred.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coat of olive oil.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
In a medium saucepan, cook the rice according to package instructions using chicken broth instead of water. This adds extra flavor!
Step 3: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Cooked rice
- Black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes
- Sour cream and cream cheese
- Spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper)
Stir everything together until fully mixed.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheeses over the layer.
- Add the remaining casserole mixture.
- Top with the rest of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once done, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked chicken like rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Make it spicy by adding crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Prepare ahead by assembling the casserole in the morning and baking it later.
