My husband thinks I am a culinary genius after the delicious and easy dinner I served this weekend. I made a Southwestern Chicken Casserole, and while I did accept all of his compliments, I know what really bumped this dish up a notch was the four cheeses used in the chicken breading.If you love dinner casseroles be sure to check out our Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole and our Stuffed Shells Recipe. You’ll also enjoy these Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe.
Southwestern Chicken Casserole
I made this in a 8 inch casserole dish since this was just for my husband and I and our young kids who don’t eat very much. You can easily double the recipe and make it in a larger casserole dish.
Get your brown rice cooking and get to work on preparing the chicken. For this recipe, you’ll be using nugget sized pieces of chicken.
Then it is simply a matter of combining the four cheeses with the Shake and bake seasoned panko bread crumbs and coating the chicken pieces. The chicken will get cooked separately.
While the chicken is baking, you can assemble the rest of your chicken casserole.
Then just add the chicken. Look how crispy the chicken is after being breaded in the cheesy panko bread crumbs. You could just serve this and your family would be happy!
Simply add the cooked chicken to the casserole, top with some yummy cheese and pop in the oven.
Bake and top with ranch dressing and tortilla strips for a little extra crunch.
The Southwestern Chicken Casserole got rave reviews. Even my kids liked it. Well, after they picked out the beans and corn. They are pretty picky. My husband had no idea how I prepared the meal, but he kept asking what I did to the chicken. He could tell this was no ordinary breading. I just told him that I am a wizard in the kitchen and he believed me.
Southwestern Casserole
Southwestern Chicken Casserole - Easy dinner recipe and a great way to liven up chicken. Yummy!
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 676 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pack of Shake and Bake seasoned panko mix
- 1 cup Mexican four cheese blend
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups of brown rice
- 6 frozen chicken breasts small to medium sized
- 1/2 can of black beans
- 1/2 can of corn
- 1 cup of shredded cheese – can use cheddar or a cheddar and jack mix
- 1/2 cup Tortilla strips salad toppers
- 1/4 cup Ranch dressing
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
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Cook brown rice according to package directions.
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Cut chicken breasts into nugget size pieces.
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In a large zip top bag, combine the cheese and breadcrumb mixture with the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder .
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Drop in your chicken pieces and shake to coat.
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Place on a greased tray and bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
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Spread the cooked brown rice on a greased 8 inch baking dish.
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Next, spread 1/2 a can of black beans and 1/2 a can of corn on top of the rice.
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Top with the cooked, breaded chicken.
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Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese on top of chicken pieces.
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Lower oven temperature to 325 and bake for 25 minutes.
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Drizzle some ranch dressing on top and sprinkle tortilla strips on top..
Nutrition Facts
Southwestern Casserole
Amount Per Serving
Calories 676
Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 179mg60%
Sodium 648mg28%
Potassium 1047mg30%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Protein 62g124%
Vitamin A 415IU8%
Vitamin C 3.1mg4%
Calcium 385mg39%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
I make a ton of casseroles and I wanted to share some of my must have items with you. This 2 in 1 casserole dish can be used with disposable trays which make clean up a breeze. You can also stack them when you are transporting multiple dishes.
When appearance matters, these stoneware baker casserole dishes in a variety of colors bring a pop to any table. Add a splash of color and go from oven to table.
If you liked this Southwestern Chicken Casserole, you’ll love:
If you are looking to feed a family and save money with make ahead meals, then one of the best resources I have found is MyFreezEasy. You will be able to create your own meal plans so you can make 10 to 12 meals for your freezer in less than one hour. You can choose from gluten free, slow cooker and clean eating options. You’ll be able to get 10 meals into your freezer without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.
Paula Parrish says
Thanks for sharing this recipe looks and sounds yummy. ;o)
Anna says
This looks REALLY delicious. I'd be interested in the nutrition information on the back of the package, though 🙂 That would help me decide if it's something I should get for my family.
Alexis AKA MOM says
OMGosh my dear that looks so freaking yummy!!!
snyderstellall.blogspot.com says
Looks good. I'll have to try this! Pinning it!
Jocelyn says
I love that you breaded the chicken and then put it in a casserole with more cheese!!! YUM!!!!
Tonia L says
Sounds delicious! I love the southwestern twist!
Tonia L says
Looks delicious! I love the southwestern twist!
The Busy Bee's says
This looks delish!! Make's me hunger.
We would like to invite you share this at our party. It is live now: http://thebusybhive.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
The Busy Bee's,
Myrna and Joye.
Sue Boyer says
First of all, I love casseroles. This looks wonderful for a weeknight meal. Thank you for sharing.
Consider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-bed-and-breakfast-cherry-crumb-coffee-cake/
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
Looks really yummy!
Tosha Miller says
I'm not a big fan of brown rice, do you think it would be good with white instead?
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
It would be great with white rice!
Tosha Miller says
I'm not a big fan of brown rice, do you think that it would be good with white rice as well?
Ginafer Gray says
are you draining the beans and corn?
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Ginafer, Yes, both get drained. Thanks for stopping by!
Krista McPhee says
Yum! I'm going to try this tonight!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Thanks Krista!
Cheryl says
Wondering at which stage I can freeze? I like to have several go to to dinners in freezer at a time.
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Cheryl, I would freeze it after I added the cheese but before the dressing. Thanks for stopping by!
Hailey Wood says
When did you put the tortilla chips on? And did you put the corn and beans on before putting them in the casserole dish?
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Hailey, The tortilla chips can be put on the end after it comes out of the oven when you drizzle on the ranch dressing. The corn and black beans go on top of the rice in the casserole dish. One of the photos above shows the step. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
Lauren Ivy Chiong says
Great recipe–tried it out last night and loved it!
Vicky says
Awesome, Lauren. It is one of our favorites!
Alida | Simply Delicious says
Such a great dinner recipe.
Veena Azmanov says
mmm … this casserole is really impressive! I can not wait to try it. Very interesting combination of ingredients. I really like. I’m sure this is very tasty. THANK YOU for sharing this great recipe!
georgie says
this looks really tasty! i love weeknight meals like this!
Jenni LeBaron says
What a hearty, warm dish. This would be a favorite in my house.
Mary says
What a great idea for a weeknight!