Description
This Chicken Burrito Casserole takes all the best parts of a burrito—seasoned chicken, rice, beans, cheese, and fire-roasted chilies—and bakes them together into one easy dish. No rolling, no mess, just bold flavors and effortless comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks!
Ingredients
For the Base:
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup uncooked parboiled long-grain brown rice (or white rice)
- 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (4-ounce) can mild green chilies
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
For the Topping:
- 1¼ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine onions, bell peppers, uncooked rice, fajita seasoning, and cayenne.
- Mix the Broth: In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, green chilies, tomato paste, and olive oil, then pour over the rice mixture.
- Add the Protein: Stir in shredded chicken, black beans, and corn.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 65–70 minutes, or until the rice absorbs most of the liquid.
- Top with Cheese: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until melted and slightly golden.
- Cool & Serve: Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, salsa, avocado, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use the Right Rice: Parboiled brown or white rice works best—avoid instant rice or traditional uncooked rice.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Add jalapeños or hot sauce for heat, or keep it mild with just the fajita seasoning.
- Shred Chicken the Easy Way: Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for this recipe.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: This helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid.
- Experiment with Cheese: Try cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired