Description
This Tex-Mex chicken and rice bake is a hearty, one-pan meal brimming with seasoned cubed chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and melted Mexican cheese. Infused with bold Southwestern spices like chili powder and cumin, it delivers vibrant flavors perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Rice Mixture
- 1½ lbs (680g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup (190g) long-grain rice
- 2 cups (480ml) chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
Topping
- 1½ cups (150g) shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix ingredients: In the baking dish, combine the rice, chicken broth, black beans, corn, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings and ingredients.
- Add chicken: Stir in the cubed chicken pieces to the mixture, ensuring they are coated and spread evenly.
- Cover and bake: Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap steam and bake the mixture for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and chicken to become tender.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly over the top of the bake.
- Finish baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese has melted and the rice is fully tender.
- Rest before serving: Let the bake stand for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow flavors to settle and the dish to firm up slightly.
Notes
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream to enhance flavor and presentation.
- For extra zest, substitute regular salsa with Rotel tomatoes where available.
- This dish is excellent for meal prep and keeps well as leftovers, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex Cuisine
