Zesty Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Rice Casserole
This Zesty Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Rice Casserole is a wholesome, flavorful dish that brings the vibrant tastes of the Southwest right to your dinner table. Inspired by a beloved family dinner, this recipe skips the processed ingredients but keeps all the flavor. The combination of tender chicken, protein-packed black beans, golden corn, and perfectly spiced rice makes for a satisfying one-dish meal that your whole family will enjoy. Plus, it's easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
N/A
Servings
312.5
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
salsa
16 ounces (jar, half used in assembly)
black beans
15.5 ounces (canned, rinsed and drained)
corn
15.25 ounces (canned, drained, juice reserved)
white rice
1.5 cups (uncooked)
hot water
2 cups (boiling)
taco seasoning
1.25 ounces (1 packet)
chicken breasts
3 (cut into strips)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
2. In a large 9x13-inch glass baking dish, mix together the uncooked white rice, hot water, taco seasoning, half of the salsa, and one-third of the rinsed and drained black beans and corn. Stir gently until well combined.
3
3. Arrange the sliced chicken breasts evenly over the rice mixture, ensuring all pieces are well distributed.
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4. In the remaining half jar of salsa, add a bit more of the black beans and corn, then securely re-lid and shake to mix. Evenly drizzle this mixture over the chicken.
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5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring there are no gaps for steam to escape, and bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through.
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6. Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes uncovered to allow the moisture to settle.
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7. Serve warm, optionally with a dollop of sour cream, and enjoy the delicious blend of flavors.
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8. Use any extra beans and corn to create a fresh black bean and corn salsa as a side dish.
Nutrition Information
1.5g
Fat
41.875g
Carbs
18.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Southwest Chicken and Black Bean Rice Casserole?
It is a wholesome and flavorful one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, black beans, corn, and spiced rice for a vibrant Southwest dinner.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 7 main ingredients: salsa, black beans, corn, white rice, hot water, taco seasoning, and chicken breasts.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to cook the rice before putting it in the casserole?
No, the 1.5 cups of white rice should be added to the baking dish uncooked.
How should the chicken be prepared?
The 3 chicken breasts should be cut into strips before being arranged in the baking dish.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A large 9x13-inch glass baking dish is the ideal size for this casserole.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The dish should bake for approximately 35-40 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.
What type of seasoning is used for the Southwest flavor?
One 1.25-ounce packet of taco seasoning is used to spice the rice and chicken.
How much water is added to the mixture?
You should add 2 cups of boiling hot water to the rice mixture.
Do the black beans and corn need to be drained?
Yes, both the canned black beans and canned corn should be drained before use, though you can reserve the corn juice if desired.
Should the casserole be covered during baking?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to ensure no steam escapes while the rice and chicken cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of this casserole contains approximately 312.5 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
This dish is very low in fat, containing only 1.5 grams per serving.
How much protein does this casserole provide?
This recipe provides 18.75 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 41.875 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use the leftover beans and corn?
Yes, any extra beans and corn can be used to create a fresh black bean and corn salsa as a side dish.
Is there a recommended resting time after baking?
Once removed from the oven, let the casserole stand for 5 minutes uncovered to allow moisture to settle.
How much salsa should I use?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce jar of salsa, used in two parts during assembly.
What is the first step in assembling the dish?
Mix the uncooked rice, hot water, taco seasoning, half the salsa, and a portion of the beans and corn in the baking dish.
How do I ensure the chicken is flavorful?
By drizzling a mixture of the remaining salsa, beans, and corn over the chicken strips before baking.
Is this dish suitable for families?
Yes, it is specifically described as a family-friendly meal that kids and adults will enjoy.
Are there any suggested toppings for serving?
Serving with a dollop of sour cream is a recommended way to enjoy the warm casserole.
Does this recipe use processed ingredients?
This recipe is designed to skip many processed ingredients while maintaining high flavor.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as chicken, casserole, southwest, healthy, and easy dinner.
Is this a good option for busy weeknights?
Absolutely, it requires minimal cleanup and easy preparation, making it perfect for busy schedules.
How much black beans are required?
You will need one 15.5-ounce can of black beans.
How much corn is required?
The recipe uses one 15.25-ounce can of corn.
How is the rice mixed in the dish?
The rice is stirred gently with hot water, seasoning, salsa, and beans until well combined in the dish.
Can I use white rice for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1.5 cups of uncooked white rice.
Is the chicken cooked on its own first?
No, the raw chicken strips are arranged on the rice mixture and bake together in the oven.