i love a good casserole. it didn’t used to be this way, though. until recently, i thought that all casseroles were mushy, bland + flavorless – boy, was i wrong! after trying a truly delicious one a few years ago, i was converted into a casserole-lover + now they’re one of my favorite comfort foods – hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals that are easy to serve + great for a crowd.
the other night, it was gray + rainy – perfect casserole weather. after seeing this recipe, i knew that with a few changes, it would be amazing. and it was! first, instead of using plain white rice for the bottom layer, i was inspired by my cilantro-lime rice, + made a flavorful, delicious lime rice. i topped that with a layer of black beans + corn, which add a great texture. next comes the enchilada chicken layer, which is truly scrumptious – tender pulled chicken mixed with green enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, spices, + a bit of greek yogurt for creaminess. finally, the whole thing is topped off with a generous layer of cheese, which comes out of the oven golden + bubbling.
this casserole turned out wonderful – both my husband + i loved it, going back for seconds (+ thirds!). we served it with tortilla chips on the side, as they added a great crunch to the dish that was perfect. so, if you’re looking for a delicious, crowd-pleasing casserole to make, give this one a try!
Chicken Enchilada + Black Bean Rice Bake
serves 6-8, adapted from picky palate
ingredients
2 cups uncooked white long grain rice (or basmati rice)
juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons juice)
optional: 3 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro (i omitted this due to a cilantro-hating husband)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
1 15-ounce can mild green enchilada sauce
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles (i used ro*tel brand)
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (or sour cream)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
pinch of cayenne
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
2 cups shredded mexican-blend cheesedirections
preheat oven to 350 degrees + spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
cook rice according to package directions. transfer to a large bowl, toss with the lime juice, vegetable oil, + (if using) cilantro, then salt to taste + set aside.
place chicken, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, yogurt (or sour cream), salt, pepper + cumin into a large bowl, mixing to combine.
prepare the casserole: transfer the cooked lime rice into the prepared baking dish. then, layer beans on top of rice. then, layer the corn on top. then, pour chicken mixture over + smooth evenly. top it all with the cheese.
bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cheese is melted, golden, + bubbling, + rice is hot.
print this recipe
be a fan on facebook
follow on pinterest
follow on instagram
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
I love casseroles! They always produce so much so they’re perfect for work lunches, and this here is just perfect. I can’t get enough of green enchilada sauce – YUM!
Yes! This produced a ton of leftovers so I’ve been eating it for lunch for the last few days – the leftovers are wonderful!
I love a good casserole – this sounds great!
I was hoping you would post this recipe after I saw the picture of it on twitter, so delicious!
i love this sooooo incredibly much. on my to make list this week for sure. so yummy!!
This looks so good. You’ve made me so hungry and I love that it’s a bake too, nice twist.
Casseroles are so underrated! I think people still have this yucky canned soup notion stuck in their heads so the second you mention the word people back away quickly. But homemade ones like yours are so yummy!
This looks perfectly creamy and delicious! I love that you spruced up the rice layer and added the beans and corn – it looks like it made it the perfect texture and kept it from being too mushy.
amen! casseroles get a bad reputation unnecessarily + i’m going to do my best to make people love ’em! =)
I’m casserole picky. Some area amazing, but some just remind me of a bad church pot luck.
This looks so good, and I bet it makes for some amazing leftovers.
It does! It’s been making for amazing leftover lunches all week. =)
This look soo good! Love all the flavors & the spruced up rice! Can’t wait to give this a try
oooh i want this NOW. i love casseroles. people say that makes me midwestern, and i am, but i don’t care. casseroles are wonderful–and this mexican one? amazing!
ain’t no shame in being midwestern! and there’s definitely no shame in loving a good casserole. =)
This looks like the perfect casserole! I love making these types of dishes for weeknights. They make the best leftovers!
I agree with what nicole stated above – that canned soup idea is such an old concept of the wonderful new great casseroles out there today…homemade casseroles with fresh ingredients I just love…and this one with your cilantro lime rice – which I’ve made 3x – this casserole my family is going to LovE!
What an easy and fabulous dish! Love it!
Wow! That looks amazing! I love easy and hearty casserole type dishes and Mexican is definitely a household favorite around here!
i love a good casserole! this sounds fantastic!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks amazing!
I love chicken enchiladas– and this looks super easy!
Casseroles make for amazing leftovers!!! Love this mexican inspired dish – yum!!!
Yes! These leftovers were fantastic!
I have always had your former opinion about casseroles too, but this totally looks like one I could get on board with! I adore anything Mexican inspired. Pinning this to make sometime soon!
I love that your casserole has fresh ingredients. I also love your trick of using greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It looks delicious!
thank you, bernadette! I frequently substitute greek yogurt instead of sour cream – I like that it’s healthier + i’m more likely to eat the leftover yogurt than I am the sour cream!
Please come to Croatia and be my personal chef 😀
I would love that! =)
I love black beans and rice and also chicken enchiladas. You have combined the two into one terrific sounding dish.
I love your delicious casserole today
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I have to admit that I’m kind of scared of casseroles. Isn’t that terrible? It’s just the mixing of so many things. Unless you count lasagna as a casserole. Mixing of pasta and pasta sauce is acceptable in my weird little head. That said, your husband is so lucky. I make the same thing again and again for dinner. Eh, at least I’m happy.
I definitely need to make more casseroles! I grew up eating my favorite tuna noodle casserole,but my kids really have no idea what casserole is. This looks delicious~thanks for the casserole inspiration!!
This dish look wonderful and I’m always looking for something different to do with chicken for dinner. My cousin owns TWO chicken houses, so we usually have a really good supply of chicken on hand. Can’t wait to try this one!
how awesome that you have access to fresh, local chicken – awesome!
Your photography is always so beautiful and this recipe sounds delish!
you are so sweet, whitney – thank you!
I swear by casseroles. I love the ease of ’em, plus the fact that I have a ton leftover for lunches, etc. This one looks phenomenal–of course I love the flavors going on here. Right up my alley – I’m going to have to given this one a try!
Wow, Amy! What a gorgeous casserole! Definitely bookmarking this one! =)
These one-pot dishes, where you assemble everything in a casserole, is a god-send to busy moms like me! Not only does this look delicious, I bet it tastes awesome, too! Have a good weekend!
This looks delicious – I love warm comforting one-pot meals. I make a somewhat similar dish and we always love it. I just love all Tex-Mex flavors!
I used to be the same way about casseroles but this one looks delicious. I am sure my family will love it!
What satisfying combinations! Love this for a weekend dinner …after a major siesta! =)
I just woke up from a lovely afternoon siesta, so I loooove the way you think!
I’m totally with you – there are so many great casseroles out there! This one looks amazing, total comfort food for the cold weather that’s suddenly decided to arrive here. Bookmarked
Hi Amy. I’m glad you like my cowl! This recipe looks delicious. I’m going to try it over Christmas when my sons return home as they have big appetites!
I adore making casseroles for dinner, and bonus points is it’s a mexican themed casserole. they just save so much time and effort. And the added tortilla chips on top – I am so on board with this b/c I love a nice crunch/texture break. Sometimes I add crushed tortilla chips on top of my salads!
I love making casseroles for dinner! and Mexican is one of our favorite cuisines. This recipe gets two thumbs up from me.
This looks so good I could eat it, right now
I think this looks like a wonderful dinner! Wish I could magically make it appear in my kitchen right now!
I wish that about dinners i see on blogs all the time, too! =)
I can’t wait to see what you cook up for Christmas!
Next Comments →