Description
This Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a vibrant and easy-to-make dish that combines creamy chicken soup, zesty salsa, tender chicken, and gooey cheddar cheese baked to perfection. It’s a flavorful, comforting meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup thick salsa
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup instant parboiled rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix base ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, thick salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning. Stir well until fully mixed to create a flavorful sauce base.
- Add main components: To the sauce mixture, add the instant parboiled rice, rinsed black beans, drained sweet corn, and cubed cooked chicken. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Assemble in dish: Spread the combined chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even layer.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chicken mixture to create a melty, golden crust.
- Bake casserole: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is completely melted.
Notes
- Use any brand of instant rice like Minute Rice or Uncle Ben’s. If substituting with cooked rice, use 2 cups cooked rice but avoid using uncooked long-grain rice as it won’t cook properly in the casserole.
- Opt for chunky or thick salsa for best texture and flavor. Alternatively, a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles can be used as a substitute.
- To prevent the melted cheese from sticking to the underside of the aluminum foil, lightly spray the foil with cooking spray before covering the casserole.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking, making it convenient for busy days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
