Spicy Chicken Casserole

Perfectly bold and deeply satisfying, this Spicy Chicken Casserole is a one-pot wonder your taste buds will thank you for. Featuring tender, seared chicken thighs paired with a hearty blend of vibrant vegetables—like sweet red bell peppers, spicy jalapeños, and aromatic onions—this casserole highlights smoky spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder for a flavorful punch. Simmered in savory chicken broth with uncooked rice, this dish transforms into a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece after a quick bake in the oven. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, it's a deliciously layered meal that’s easy to make and perfect for feeding the family or meal prepping. Bursting with flavor and ready in just one hour, it's the ultimate comfort food with a spicy twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 Yellow onion
• 1 Red bell pepper
• 4 Garlic cloves
• 1 Jalapeño pepper
• 14.5 oz Canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1 cup Uncooked white rice
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 cup Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 3

In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned on the outside. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 5

Dice the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 6

In the same skillet, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 7

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to coat with the vegetable mixture.

Step 9

Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and chicken broth. Stir to combine.

Step 10

Season the mixture with cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 11

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything evenly.

Step 12

Cover the skillet with an oven-safe lid or tightly with aluminum foil.

Step 13

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 14

After 30 minutes, remove the lid or foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and return the dish to the oven.

Step 15

Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 16

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 17

Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the top for garnish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1719.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2699.5

Total Fat 129.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 696.3mg	0%
Sodium 4648.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.6g	0%
Total Sugars 22.5g
Protein 171.3g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 1148.5mg	0%
Iron 12.6mg	0%
Potassium 2939.8mg	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: 43.6%

Protein: 25.6%

Carbs: 30.8%