Mexican Chicken and Rice Bake (Print Version)
A comforting one-dish casserole with chicken, rice, Mexican spices, cheese, and vegetables.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Rice & Grains
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen corn kernels
06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
→ Dairy
08 - 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
→ Liquids
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - 1 tsp garlic powder
14 - ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
15 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Sliced jalapeños
18 - Sour cream
19 - Lime wedges
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - In a large bowl, combine uncooked rice, diced onion, red bell pepper, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes with chilies (including juices), chicken broth, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
03 - Pour the rice and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
04 - Nestle the chicken pieces into the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly so they are partially submerged. Space them evenly throughout the dish.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes, or until rice has absorbed most of the liquid and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove foil and sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and rice is tender.
07 - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one dish so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The rice absorbs all those beautiful spices while it bakes making every bite flavorful
02 -
- The rice must be uncooked when it goes into the dish
- Do not skip the foil cover or the rice will not cook through
03 -
- Letting it rest before serving is crucial for the best texture
- Thighs really do make a difference in moisture level