Mexican Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole

This south-of-the-border inspired Mexican Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole is a one dish meal packed with flavor.  Salsa, roast chicken, Spanish rice and vegetables are mixed together and baked until bubbly with lots of gooey cheese on top. Top each serving with sour cream or guacamole and homemade pico de gallo and it's a homemade fiesta.

Mexican Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole

This easy chicken and rice casserole is a hearty and filling one dish meal. I often assemble it, cover and chill for those days I need to have something ready to go into the oven as soon as we get home from our busy day. Another busy day recipe is this recipe for Mexican chicken made in a slow cooker from The Seasoned Mom.  I love serving this chicken and rice topped with homemade pico de gallo and a drizzle of crema or sour cream. Guacamole is optional but, perfection with this dish, too.

Tips for Making Mexican Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Depending on the brand of Spanish rice used, the level of heat and even the color, could vary slightly so adapt the spices as needed.
• For a milder level of heat, use cheddar cheese soup and a mild salsa. Likewise, if spice is your thing, use fiesta nacho soup and a medium or hot salsa to kick things up, the choice is completely yours.
• To make this casserole in advance as I sometimes do, assemble it completely, cover and chill. Just before baking, allow it to sit on the counter for 20 minutes to come room temperature. Alternately, add 10-15 minutes to the baking time so it will have ample time to cook completely through. Bake until the cheese is golden and the casserole is heated through and bubbly around the edges.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Oblong Baking Dish
• Stainless Steel Skillet
• Rotary Cheese Grater
• Mixing Bowls

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Mexican Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Chicken, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican Inspired

Keyword: easy-chicken-reipes, mexican-chicken-recipes, mexican-salsa,chicken-rice-casserole

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• 2 5 oz packages Spanish flavored rice, cooked and cooled
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 small poblano pepper seeded and diced
• Olive oil
• 1 10 ¾ oz can cheddar or fiesta nacho cheese soup
• 1 ½ cup 2% or whole milk
• 8 oz onion & chive cream cheese softened
• 3-4 cup rotisserie chicken roughly chopped
• 1 16 oz can pinto beans, drained
• 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 1 Tbsp dark chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp lemon pepper
• 1 ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Suggested toppings: pico de gallo. sour cream guacamole

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat, saute the diced onion and poblano pepper in a couple of drizzles of olive oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and beginning to brown then remove from the heat.
• In a stand blender whip together the soup, milk and cream cheese until smooth.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cooked rice, onion and pepper, blended sauce, chicken, pinto beans, salsa and seasonings. Mix well then pour into the baking dish.
• Top with the shredded cheese. Bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbly.
• Rest for 10 minutes before serving with pico de gallo,and a dollop of sour cream or fresh guacamole.

Notes

For a milder version use plain cheddar cheese soup and mild salsa. For a spicier version use fiesta nacho soup and medium or hot salsa.

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