Description

This Easy Chicken Burrito Casserole is a flavorful, hearty, and comforting one-dish meal that combines brown rice, tender shredded chicken, vegetables, and Mexican-inspired seasonings, all baked to perfection with melted Monterey Jack cheese on top. It’s perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, offering a fantastic blend of spices and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Beans

1 finely diced onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 can (15 oz) low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (4 oz) mild green chilies

Grains and Seasonings

1 cup uncooked parboiled long-grain brown rice (or substitute long-grain white rice)
1 packet fajita seasoning (or homemade)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Protein

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

Liquids and Fats

2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp tomato paste

Dairy

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole evenly.
Combine Vegetables and Rice: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix together the finely diced onion, diced red bell pepper, uncooked rice, fajita seasoning, and cayenne pepper to evenly distribute flavors.
Prepare Broth Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the reduced-sodium chicken broth, mild green chilies, tomato paste, and olive oil until well blended to create a flavorful liquid base.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the broth mixture over the rice and vegetables in the baking dish. Add the frozen corn kernels, rinsed black beans, and shredded cooked chicken. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 65 to 70 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed completely.
Add Cheese: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let flavors settle and make it easier to portion out.

Notes

You can substitute long-grain white rice if preferred, but parboiled brown rice adds more fiber and nutrients.
Adjust cayenne pepper amount based on desired heat level or omit for a milder dish.
Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
For a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit chicken, optionally increasing beans or adding tofu.
Covering the casserole while baking helps cook the rice evenly and retain moisture.
Make sure to drain and rinse the canned black beans to reduce sodium content.