This Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole is the perfect weeknight meal. It combines all the flavors of a classic enchilada, but in an easy-to-make casserole form. With layers of tender chicken, rice, and gooey cheese, this dish wil become a family favorite.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's a meal that your whole family will love, so you don't have ot worry about making separate meals for picky eaters on busy weeknights.
- It's great for leftovers because if you ask me, it tastes even better the next day.
- You only need a few simple key ingredients so you don't have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery store this week.
🧾 Ingredient List
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- white rice
- chicken breasts
- red enchilada sauce
- corn kernels
- shredded Colby Jack cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- chopped parsley
- chopped scallions
🍲 Equipment
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick spray.
Step 1: In a large bowl combine the filling ingredients. Then pour into a prepared 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Top with the remaining cheese and bake the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
👩🏻🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success
- This easy recipe is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken. If you don't have leftover chicken, you can bake or boil some boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- There are so many different things that you can use as garnishes for this comfort food, we like to use cilantro, green onions, sour cream, salsa, or pico de Gallo. But, the options are endless. Use your favorite toppings.
- I like to use homemade enchilada sauce to make this delicious recipe.
- Short on time, store-bought will work just fine.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to vary the recipe.
- Want to add more things to this easy casserole? Add black beans, bell peppers, or green chiles to this chicken enchilada rice casserole recipe.
- Instead of Colby jack cheese, use white cheddar, or Monterey jack cheese, or another of your favorite cheese blends.
- Instead of shredded chicken, try adding some cooked ground beef or ground turkey.
- Swap out the red enchilada sauce for your favorite green enchilada sauce for a different flavor.
❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Make ahead - This casserole is great when made ahead. Assemble it the night or morning before and then cover it with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing - This chicken enchilada rice bake is a great freezer meal. Assemble it in a disposable foil pan, cover it with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To cook from frozen, bake covered at 375 degrees F for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until heated through.
🥣 Serving Suggestions
Serve a simple green side dish such as this Grilled Asapargus recipe to turn this into an easy weeknight meal that takes very little prep work.
One of my favorite side dishes to serve with this comforting casserole is this Instant Pot Queso and tortilla chips. You can never go wrong with chips and queso as a side.
Homemade Guacamole and a lime wedge would make a beautiful topping for this enchilada casserole recipe.
🍽 Similar recipes
If you love enchiladas, next time try our Breakfast Enchilada recipe. It's one of the best easy recipes to make when feeding a crowd for brunch.
Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole is one of my favorite rice casserole recipes. Perfect when I am craving something hearty and comforting that doesn't require alot of time.
This One Pot Taco Spaghetti is a simple one-pot meal that is full of delicious Mexican flavors. It's the perfect way to end a busy day.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
You can reheat single servings in the microwave or the entire casserole in the 350°Foven for 15 - 20 minutes.
If you find the leftover casserole to be dry, add a splash of chicken broth or chicken stock to the rice mixture for extra moisture.
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts cooked and shredded
- 20 ounce red enchilada sauce homemade or store-bought
- 11 ounce can of corn kernels drained
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- chopped parsley optional topping
- chopped scallions optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, corn, and half the Colby jack cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake, uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Optional garnish, top with chopped parsley or scallions. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Store leftovers in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3days.
- Frozen corn can be used.
- Rotisserie chicken can be used for this recipe.
- Chopped cilantro can also be used as a garnish.
- Homemade Enchilada Sauce can be used for this recipe.
- Instant Pot Rice can be used.
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