Description
This Chicken Burrito Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal that combines tender shredded chicken, vibrant vegetables, spices, rice, and melted cheese. Baked to perfection, it absorbs rich chicken broth and tomato paste, creating a comforting Mexican-inspired casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen)
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Others
- 1 cup dry long-grain white rice
- 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 450g cooked chicken, shredded
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 150 grams Monterey Jack or Havarti cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Combine Vegetables and Spices: In a large baking dish, mix the diced red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, dry long-grain white rice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and sea salt thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Prepare Broth Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, olive oil, and tomato paste until smooth and well combined, ensuring the tomato paste is fully dissolved.
- Mix Broth and Rice: Pour the broth mixture over the rice and vegetable mixture in the baking dish and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Chicken and Beans: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, black beans, and corn kernels thoroughly to incorporate all components into the mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack or Havarti cheese evenly on top, then bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and slightly bubbly.
Notes
- For extra spice, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a different flavor.
- Using pre-cooked chicken reduces total preparation time.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- Black beans can be swapped with pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
