Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole: Your Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Solution
Transform your dinner routine with this incredible Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole! Bursting with all your favorite classic Mexican flavors, this dish offers unmatched convenience in an easy weeknight package. With tender chicken, fluffy rice, hearty beans, and an abundance of gooey cheese, it’s a guaranteed kid-friendly dinner that every member of your family will request again and again!
Stay connected and never miss a delicious recipe! Sign up for my newsletter to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox. You can also follow my culinary adventures on Facebook and Instagram!
PIN IT NOW: Save This Recipe for Later!
Embrace the Rich Flavors of Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
Having lived in sunny California my entire life, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing some truly exceptional Mexican cuisine. It’s a staple in our household, appearing on our dinner table at least once a week. And if you were to ask my boys where they’d like to eat out, more often than not, their immediate answer would be one of their cherished local Mexican restaurants.
Far from complaining, I wholeheartedly embrace this preference! Mexican food also happens to be my absolute favorite. One of the main reasons for my deep affection is how wonderfully straightforward it is to prepare at home. The ingredients are incredibly accessible, and reliable brands like Old El Paso consistently provide high-quality products that form the foundation of our delightful at-home Mexican culinary creations. From zesty enchilada sauces to flavorful green chiles and robust refried beans, Old El Paso makes bringing authentic Mexican taste to your kitchen effortless.
The Magic of Casseroles: Comfort, Convenience, and Creativity
It’s no secret to those who follow my blog that I have a profound love for casseroles. They embody comfort food at its absolute finest and are incredibly versatile! Seriously, you can transform almost any combination of ingredients into a hearty, satisfying casserole. In fact, my passion runs so deep that I’ve dedicated an entire chapter to amazing casserole recipes in my cookbook!
The inspiration for this particular Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole came during one of those classic dinner dilemmas. My boys, despite their shared love for Mexican food, were struggling to agree on a specific dish. Seeing their friendly debate, I finally declared, “I’m going to whip up something entirely new that incorporates all our favorite Mexican elements, and I guarantee you’ll love it.” And guess what? They absolutely did!
I literally walked to my pantry and began gathering ingredients from our dedicated “Mexican section.” Yes, we have one! I make it a point to regularly stock up on all my Old El Paso favorites at Safeway, ensuring I’m always prepared for spontaneous culinary inspiration (or, let’s be honest, busy weeknights!). I settled on creamy refried beans, a can of rich enchilada sauce, and a hint of mild green chiles. With these essential components in hand, I got busy creating what would become an instant family classic.
Let me tell you, this Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole instantly climbed to the top of our family’s favorite dinner list. It’s wonderfully cheesy and packed with flavor, hitting all the right notes for my enchilada-loving boys. They adored how it combined all their cherished Mexican elements into one easy-to-eat package. As for me, I loved how quickly it came together, especially with the smart use of Old El Paso products and a convenient rotisserie chicken. This dish is truly a lifesaver for those hectic school nights when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table without a lot of fuss.
Dine for a Cause: Support Schools with Box Tops for Education
I know you’re probably already planning to make this incredible casserole for your family this week (and you absolutely should!). But before you dive into the recipe, there’s one incredibly simple yet impactful thing I need you to do for me: **DON’T forget to clip the Box Tops** found on Old El Paso packaging and other General Mills products. This truly is the EASIEST way to earn much-needed cash for your local schools, and trust me when I say, they desperately NEED IT!
Only Box Tops For Education registered schools can redeem Box Tops. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to the redeeming school. Limit $20,000 per school, per school year for Box Tops redeemed through the Clip Program. See boxtops4education.com for program details.
Honestly, supporting your community couldn’t be easier. You get to prepare an amazing, wholesome meal that your family will absolutely L-O-V-E, and at the same time, you’re giving back to your children’s school or a school in need. It’s a true win-win situation for everyone involved! Every Box Top counts, and together, we can make a significant difference in funding educational programs and resources.
PIN IT NOW: Don’t Forget to Pin This Delicious Recipe!
Print
Pin
Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice , uncooked
- 3 cups chicken stock or broth
- 16 oz refried beans (one standard can)
- 3 cups cooked chicken , cubed or shredded (a rotisserie chicken works perfectly!)
- 10 oz red enchilada sauce (one standard can)
- 10.75 oz cream of chicken soup (one standard can)
- 4 oz chopped green chiles , drained
- 1 can black beans , 15 oz, rinsed and drained thoroughly
- 8 oz cream cheese , softened and cut into small cubes
- 3 green onions , thinly sliced
- 12 oz shredded Mexican blend cheese , divided (or your favorite blend like cheddar-jack)
Instructions
-
Begin by cooking your rice. Follow the package instructions carefully, but replace the water with the chicken stock for an added layer of flavor. Set aside once cooked.
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your casserole bakes evenly to perfection.
-
Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Evenly spread the refried beans across the bottom of the prepared dish, creating a delicious base.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded or cubed chicken, enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, drained green chiles, rinsed black beans, softened cream cheese cubes, and 8 ounces of the shredded Mexican cheese blend. Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined. Spread this flavorful mixture evenly over the layer of refried beans in the baking dish.
-
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the casserole to the oven and continue baking, uncovered, for another 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
-
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Elevate Your Mexican Night: More Delicious Recipes to Try
If this Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole has left you craving more vibrant Mexican flavors, you’re in luck! I have a host of other fantastic recipes that will bring the fiesta right to your kitchen. Be sure to explore my incredibly easy Mexican Rice, which makes a perfect side dish, the satisfying Green Chile Chicken Smothered Burritos for an indulgent meal, and my versatile homemade Fajita Seasoning to spice up any dish!
Unlock More Culinary Secrets: My Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook
Speaking of easy meals, if you’re like me and adore the convenience and versatility of rotisserie chicken, then you absolutely need to check out my book, 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals. This cookbook is packed with inventive and simple recipes that transform a humble rotisserie chicken into an amazing array of dishes. You’ll find everything from comforting casseroles and delicious bakes to hearty soups, quick sandwiches, and so much more! It’s your go-to guide for making delicious, fuss-free meals that your family will eagerly devour, all starting with one simple ingredient.
Explore More Family-Favorite Casseroles from My Kitchen
My passion for casseroles doesn’t stop with Mexican flavors! If you’re looking for more comforting, all-in-one meals that the whole family will love, these tried-and-true recipes are sure to become new household staples:
Hawaiian Chicken and Rice Casserole
Rotisserie Chicken Casserole
Loaded BBQ Pork Potato Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Looking for more delicious chicken-centric meals? Discover all my favorite chicken recipes HERE.
For a wide array of satisfying dinner ideas, explore all my dinner recipes HERE.
Don’t miss a single recipe! Sign up to receive email updates when I post new recipes!
For even more great ideas and daily inspiration, follow me on Facebook – Pinterest – Instagram – Twitter – and Bloglovin’.
Have a wonderful and delicious day!
This article was made possible through a sponsored partnership. Old El Paso products, conveniently available at your local Albertsons Safeway store, are truly an effortless solution for creating amazing weeknight meals. Remember, shoppers can easily clip the Box Tops found on Old El Paso packaging, along with other General Mills products, to earn 10 cents each for their schools through the valuable Box Tops for Education program.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway and Old El Paso. All opinions and text expressed within this article are genuinely my own.