Description
Mexican-inspired chicken enchilada rice casserole delivers comforting layers of cheese, tender chicken, and zesty sauce. Family dinners become memorable with this hearty, one-pan meal that satisfies hungry appetites.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded, about 1½ lbs or 680 g)
- 20 oz (567 g) red enchilada sauce
- 16 oz (454 g) refried beans
- 2 cups long grain rice (uncooked, such as Basmati)
- 11 oz (312 g) corn kernels, drained (1 can)
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (or parsley, for garnish)
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Boil water in a medium saucepan, add rice, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until grains become tender and liquid absorbs, approximately 18 minutes. Rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Flavor Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, blend shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, refried beans, corn kernels, and half of the Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheeses. Incorporate the cooked rice and season with salt and pepper.
- Oven Preheating: Warm the oven to 350°F, creating an optimal baking environment.
- Casserole Assembly: Spread the rice and chicken mixture evenly in a 9×13-inch casserole dish, topping with the remaining cheese to create a golden, melty surface.
- Baking Process: Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake until the cheese bubbles and turns slightly crisp, approximately 20-30 minutes.
- Garnishing and Serving: Remove from oven, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top, and serve immediately while hot and cheese is gloriously melted.
Notes
- Perfectly Cook Rice: Use medium heat and precise timing to achieve fluffy, separate rice grains without becoming mushy or sticky.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Sprinkle cheese in two layers for maximum flavor complexity and a gorgeous golden-brown top that adds delightful texture.
- Customize Your Comfort: Swap chicken with ground beef, black beans, or shredded turkey to match dietary preferences or pantry ingredients.
- Leftover Love: Store in airtight container for up to 4 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture and prevent cheese from separating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg