Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole

Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole is such an easy meal to put together. I like to make this dinner pretty plain (since my hubby can be really picky). We make this dinner often and it never disappoints.

A casserole dish fill with cheesy rice, made with a tomato sauce and black beans.

Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole

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A spoon in a casserole dish filled with cheesy rice filled with mexican flavours and ingredients.

This is one of my favorite recipes to make on crisp fall days. It’s easy to toss together, and a winner with my family so it’s a win, win all around.

I first started making this recipe in 2008, and when I started the blog in 2009 I knew it had to go up. It is one of the first recipes posted here on The Bewitchin’ Kitchen! That being said, it needed a photography revamp so I’m coming back and editing the post to include some yummy photos.

A casserole dish filled with a southwestern chicken and rice recipe

I love southwestern flavors. Especially cumin, cumin is my favorite spice in my cabinet (and one that I tend to overuse from time to time – whoops). Over the years I have grown to love black beans and corn and use those in recipes like this Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole, along with fajitas, tacos, and burrito bowls.

 

Recipes you should also check out:

Southwestern Chicken and Rice Bake

Southwestern Chicken Rice Bake

Supplies you may need. 

This cheesy dish is oh-so-good. It’s one of my comfort food favorites, but then again I’m crazy about cumin. Cheesy, cumin, tomato sauce, I’m so there. I’m hoping to have a dairy free and gluten free option to this up soon, so stay tuned for that.

Okay guys, now I’m craving this again. Enjoy, I’m off to plan this for next week’s meal plan.

This southwestern chicken and rice casserole has a delicious mexican flavour but it's different than the typical tacos. A fun way to switch up Mexican night for dinner.
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3.84 from 6 votes

Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole

This cheesy casserole bake has rice, black beans, and chicken. It's easy to make as a vegetarian recipe too! An easy dinner that makes delicious leftovers.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword casserole, chicken, chicken and rice casserole, rice, southwestern bake
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
Calories 265kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 3 chicken breasts cooked and diced
  • 1 small can corn drained and rinsed
  • 1 14oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 14oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 teaspoons dried cilantro leaves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • Cayenne Pepper to taste If I don't have any on me, I use 1/4 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce.
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°

  • In a large bowl, add the cooked rice, chicken, corn, black beans, tomato sauce, cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, and ground cayenne pepper. Set the bowl aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until it's blended and cook until it begins to bubble. Slowly stir in the milk, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer (while whisking constantly) until it thickens up.
  • Pour into the rice mixture. **If you are using Franks Red Hot Sauce instead of cayenne, this is where I add it.
  • Pour into a sprayed 9x13 casserole dish, bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Add cheese and bake for another 8 minutes or until melted.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 745mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2784IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 3mg
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Recipe slightly adapted from Epicurious.

5 comments on “Southwestern Chicken and Rice Casserole”

  1. 3 stars
    I will be trying this for sure love that it is made with chicken that we can all enjoy. The best is that the flavor should be awesome and the family should be mighty happy
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

  2. What size can of tomato sauce?

  3. Hi, have you tried freezing this meal?

    • I think I did many years ago when I was pregnant with my son and I don’t remember any negative things about it. If you do it, let me know 🙂

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