Cheesy Fiesta Chicken and Rice Bake

Get ready to spice up your weeknight routine with this irresistible Cheesy Fiesta Chicken and Rice Bake! This hearty, flavor-packed casserole combines tender, taco-seasoned chicken breasts with a rich and creamy medley of rice, black beans, zesty tomatoes with green chilies, and melty Mexican blend cheese. It’s all baked to perfection in one dish, offering the ultimate comfort food with a Tex-Mex twist. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this easy chicken casserole is perfect for busy families craving bold flavors and minimal cleanup. Serve it with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and optional garnishes like tortilla chips or avocado slices for a delicious fiesta on your plate! Perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd, this cheesy baked dinner is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cups Cooked white or brown rice
• 1 can (14.5 oz) Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
• 1 cup Frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups Shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 cup Sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Taco seasoning mix
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh cilantro
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Sear each chicken breast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate (they will finish cooking in the oven).

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), frozen corn, black beans, 1.5 cups of shredded Mexican cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly.

Step 4

Spread the rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5

Nestle the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.

Step 6

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the chicken and rice, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).

Step 8

Garnish with additional cilantro and serve hot. Optional: serve with tortilla chips, avocado slices, or a side of fresh salsa.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2656.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3893.9

Total Fat 156.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 80.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 906.6mg	0%
Sodium 6049.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 307.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.2g	0%
Total Sugars 38.2g
Protein 315.0g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 2255.9mg	0%
Iron 24.8mg	0%
Potassium 4033.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.2%

Protein: 32.3%

Carbs: 31.5%