Mexican Chicken Rice Casserole

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This Mexican Hen and Rice Casserole is a complete weeknight winner! Full of protein, veggies, and melty cheese, it’s comforting, nutritious, and kid-approved. This dinner recipe is on common rotation in my kitchen. Gluten-free and will be made low-carb, too!

This Mexican-inspired rooster and rice casserole is a type of dependable, crowd-pleasing dinners that works any evening of the week. Floor rooster, colourful veggies, fluffy rice, and melty cheese come collectively in a single dish that’s flippantly spiced however not too spicy—excellent for the children (my toddler loves it!).

The BBQ sauce provides a candy, smoky depth that takes it to the following degree (don’t skip it!), whereas the corn and tomatoes convey a juicy freshness. It’s additionally a good way to make use of up leftover rooster or rotisserie rooster should you’re in a rush.

Nutritious, excessive in protein, and loaded with fiber and calcium, this rooster rice casserole is a healthful dinner meal you’ll end up making many times. See notes under for making a low-carb model!

I serve it with a facet salad of avocado, tomato, cilantro (coriander) and onions, a dollop of bitter cream and a few scorching sauce.

👩‍🍳 Love Tex-Mex or Mexican-inspired recipes? Try my: beef burritos, Mexican floor beef casserole, Mexican stuffed candy potatoes, corn and black bean salad, Mexican crimson rice, wholesome baked rooster tacos or BBQ-flavored floor rooster tacos, or chorizo breakfast tacos.

What You’ll Want

Here’s what you’ll want for this Mexican rice and rooster casserole recipe. Discover the total measurements within the recipe card under.

Hen: Floor rooster mince (or sub with cooked, shredded rooster or rotisserie).
Veggies: Onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper (capsicum), and garlic – these create a flavorful base and add additional vitamins to the dish. Tomatoes add acidity and juiciness. Candy corn is non-obligatory however I nearly all the time add it in if I’ve some within the freezer; canned can be positive.
Spices & Flavorings: Smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and coriander (for a heat, Mexican-inspired taste). BBQ sauce (provides a smoky-sweet punch—don’t skip it!).
Rice: White rice medium-grain is finest however not important. The recipe is for uncooked rice however you should utilize pre-cooked to avoid wasting time, simply skip that step. For low-carb, swap with cauliflower rice (3-4 cups).
Cheese: Cheddar (or go for a Mexican cheese mix in order for you additional taste).
Contemporary salsa: Tomato, avocado, crimson onion, cilantro, and lime – utilized in a fast salsa to brighten up the dish.
Different toppings: bitter cream, scorching sauce, or corn chips – these are all non-obligatory however superior!

When you have any leftover rooster and rice, you should utilize them to make my rooster rice bowls.

How To Make Mexican Hen and Rice Casserole

Right here is the right way to make this Mexican rooster rice casserole. Discover the total recipe and dietary data under. Listed here are some useful step-by-step images.

Prepare dinner rice utilizing your most well-liked technique (or use pre-cooked rice). I present directions within the recipe card under. If utilizing cauliflower rice, put together your chopped cauliflower (about 3-4 cups) and put aside.

Sauté onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper, and garlic in olive oil till mushy (5-6 minutes).
Stir in spices, then add floor rooster and prepare dinner for a couple of minutes. Add tomatoes and prepare dinner for 3-4 extra minutes.

Combine the rooster combination with cooked rice and corn.
If utilizing cauliflower rice, that is while you add raw chopped cauliflower, and stir via for a minute or two over warmth.
Switch the combination to a casserole dish, high with BBQ sauce (unfold it evenly) and grated cheese, and bake till bubbly.

Whereas baking, combine diced tomato, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime, and salt for the salsa salad thingy.

Serve casserole with salsa salsa, bitter cream, and crushed corn chips.

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Time-Saving Suggestions

Use pre-cooked rice (shelf-stable packets are positive right here) and rotisserie rooster or leftover cooked rooster for minimal prep.
Pre-shredded cheese will make your life simpler, belief me.
Seize a jar of salsa or guacamole as an alternative of constructing the salad, should you’re brief on time.

Make-Forward Suggestions

Assemble the casserole forward of time, cowl, and refrigerate (keep in mind rice doesn’t preserve for greater than 24-36 hours so it’s not like forward forward). Simply bake it when prepared!
You can too freeze the assembled casserole for as much as 3 months, should you like. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then bake.
If you wish to meal prep, make the rooster and veggie combine forward, cool and freeze, then thaw out when wanted. Prepare dinner contemporary rice, combine, high with BBQ sauce and cheese, and bake!

Extra Suggestions & Variations

Add beans: Black beans or pinto beans make an important addition for additional protein AND fiber.
Enhance the warmth: Toss in some jalapeños or a bit cayenne for a spicy kick.
Swap up the cheese: Strive Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican mix for additional taste. Go for low-fat cheese to chop down on energy.
Make it vegetarian: Sub the rooster for beans or additional veggies like zucchini or mushrooms.
Swap up the protein: Be happy to make use of floor beef or pork as an alternative of rooster.

Serving Ideas

This rooster and rice casserole is superb by itself, nevertheless it actually shines with some bitter cream, scorching sauce, and a sprinkle of crushed corn chips. Pair it with a contemporary avocado-tomato salsa on the facet, or go all out with some chips and guac!

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When you want a straightforward, filling dinner that everybody will love, this tacky Mexican Hen and Rice Casserole has you coated. It’s family-friendly, loaded with taste, and tremendous straightforward to make!

For avocado-tomato salad:

Prepare dinner the rice: Rinse the rice underneath chilly water till the water runs clear. Prepare dinner in keeping with your most well-liked technique (stovetop, rice cooker, Instantaneous Pot) and put aside.
Prepare dinner the veggies: Warmth olive oil in a big pan over medium warmth. Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes till softened. Add garlic and prepare dinner for an additional minute.
Prepare dinner the rooster: Add salt, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and oregano to the veggies. Stir within the floor rooster, cooking till it is now not pink. Add diced tomatoes and prepare dinner for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Preheat the oven: Preheat to 395°F (200°C).
Assemble the casserole: Combine the rooster and veggie combination with the cooked rice and corn (if utilizing). Unfold it in a big casserole dish. Evenly unfold the BBQ sauce excessive, then sprinkle with grated cheese.
Bake: Bake for quarter-hour, or till the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Make the salad: Whereas the casserole bakes, combine collectively tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl.
Serve: Serve the casserole scorching, topped with bitter cream, scorching sauce, and crushed corn chips. Don’t neglect that contemporary avocado-tomato salsa on the facet for additional freshness!

Storage suggestions: Leftovers? Fortunate you! Retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Whenever you’re able to eat, simply reheat within the oven or microwave till warmed via. You can too freeze parts for as much as 2 months—excellent for simple meals later.
Hen: Uncooked floor rooster will be subbed with cooked, shredded rooster or rotisserie rooster; you will have about 2 cups of diced rooster, merely combine it with the sautéed veggies and canned tomatoes.
Rice: Use pre-cooked, shelf-stable packet rice to avoid wasting on cooking time.
Pre-shredded cheese will make your life simpler, belief me.
Seize a jar of salsa or guacamole should you’re brief on time.

Key phrases: rooster rice casserole, tex mex casserole, tex mex rooster rice casserole, mexican rooster rice bake, Mexican casserole

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