Mexican Chicken Casserole is the perfect quick meal for your family! This casserole is made with shredded chicken, beans, rice, salsa, diced tomatoes and shredded cheese. It is baked to perfection in under 30 minutes and also makes great leftovers! 

MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Lately I have been trying to use as many of the ingredients in my pantry as I can.

I also like to repurpose other recipes into new ones.

Today’s Mexican Chicken Rice Casserole uses the chicken from a whole chicken that my husband smoked. I shredded the chicken and added it to this casserole.

If you have a rotisserie chicken that works great in this too!

By repurposing ingredients I already have and cleaning out my pantry it is keeping my grocery trips to a minimum.

This easy casserole is a recipe that is easy to put together and uses basic ingredients you probably have at home.

If you like these kind of recipes you have to try my Stuffed Pepper Casserole, Sausage and Bean Casserole and this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. 

Later in the post I also offer some ideas on ways that you can modify this recipe with what you have in your pantry.

For example, I spread a layer of refried beans on the bottom of the casserole dish.

You can skip that or you can use black beans or red beans in its place.  

This Healthy Mexican Chicken Casserole was a huge hit in my house and makes great leftovers for the week.

Serve it alongside a few tortilla chips to help you scoop of that delicious casserole. 

Recipe Ingredients in a Mexican Chicken Rice Casserole

• Chicken: I used shredded chicken in this recipe. You can use any leftover chicken you have on hand. Another option is to make this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken to use in the casserole or use a rotisserie chicken. 
• Rice: I had basmati rice on hand which worked nicely. Cook the rice according to the package and just add it into the chicken along with the diced tomatoes, salsa and spices. I also like brown rice, white rice, quinoa or farro. 
• Beans: I spread a layer of refried beans on the bottom of the casserole dish. You can also use any bean you like, black beans, red beans or kidney beans. 
• Diced Tomatoes: I like adding diced tomatoes to this dish. You can leave them out if you don’t like tomatoes. I sometimes will add diced tomatoes with green chiles if I have it for more flavor. 
• Salsa: I like to add about 1/2 cup of salsa to the rice mixture. If you don’t have salsa you can skip it but I like the flavor it adds. You can also make your own using this Homemade Salsa recipe or this Easy Homemade Salsa Verde. 
• Spices: If you use salsa in the recipe you can skip the spices. I always add them in along with the salsa for maximum flavor! I like to use chili powder and cumin and sometimes cayenne pepper for spice! 

Ways to Modify This Mexican Chicken Bake

• Beans: I had a can of refried black beans in my pantry and used that as the bottom layer of my casserole. I like refried beans because it adds creaminess to the dish. You could easily sub in black beans, red beans or pinto beans. Sometimes if I use black beans I will mash them so they are a softer consistency before laying them on the bottom of the dish. 
• Protein: I had leftover shredded chicken in the fridge so that is what I used in this easy casserole. There are a lot of options that would work nicely. Try using sausage, any ground meat like beef, turkey or pork, or sliced steak would also be great. 
• Grain: For this casserole I used a basmati rice. I also like to use white or brown rice, quinoa or farro. 
• Cheese: When it comes to cheese there are a lot of options. If I want some spice I add a shredded pepper jack  cheese. I also really like mozzarella, Monterey jack or a combination of whatever I have on hand. 
• Vegetables: This casserole is great with added vegetables. Some that I like are zucchini, bell peppers, poblanos, onion and jalapeños. I would suggest quickly sautéing them so they are soft before adding them into the rice mixture.
• Garnishes: again just use whatever you have on hand. Some things I like include diced tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, red onion, jalapeños, salsa and crushed tortillas. 

What Goes with this Chicken and Refried Beans Casserole

MEDITERRANEAN BEAN SALAD

MEDITERRANEAN ROASTED VEGETABLES

LEMON ARUGULA SALAD WITH PINE NUTS 

TOMATO CUCUMBER FETA QUINOA SALAD

EASY MANGO CABBAGE SALAD