This Chicken Rice Bake is a fun twist on the family classic! Perfect for busy weeknights or when family and friends come over for dinner!
10 minute prep Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken and Rice Bake bursting with cheesy sweet heat the whole family will go crazy for.ย
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Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake
While Homemade Salsa usually gets all the love, have you tried Salsa Verde?!!ย Itโsย fresh, bright, tangy, with a kick from the jalapenos or serrano peppers. It is stand alone delicious like in my 3 Ingredient Salsa Verde Chickenย or I love pairing it with honey like in my Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas and many more because it is more tart than red salsa.
These chicken enchiladas continue to be one of my most popular recipes, receiveย rave reviews and pin like crazy so I thought it time I spin all of the palate pleasingย sweet and spicy flavors of those enchiladas into an uber quick and easy rice bake that is sure to become another family favorite โ especially when you donโt feel like stuffing and rolling tortillas.
Like in my enchiladas, your cooked chicken (you can get rotisserie, or whatever you have on hand), gets marinatedย for 10 minutesย in salsa verde, honey, lime and a handful of my favorite Mexican spices such as cumin, smoked paprika and chipotle pepper. ย If you have been following along, you will notice I use a lot of the same spices in my Mexican dishes, so if you donโt have them all on hand, they are definitely worth collecting. I promise you will use them again and again!
In 10 short minutes, the chicken soaks up mega flavor and you are ready to add your cheese, green chilies, corn and sour cream. ย Mix it all together, (it will look kind of โwetโ which is how it should be)ย top with more cheese and bake. ย Easy peasy!
And cheesyโฆ
Spicy honey limeย enveloped layers of ย chicken and rice. ย One of my favorite flavor combinations with one of my favorite texture combinations. Win. ย Win.
Salsa Verde ย Honey Lime Chicken and Rice Bake. ย Easy never tasted so complexly delicious.
Ingredients for This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
This oven baked chicken and rice casserole comes together with minimal ingredients (most of which are spices!). Letโs take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
How to Make Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole
This cheesy chicken and rice bake couldnโt be simpler to make! Here are the basic steps:
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients. Add cooked chopped chicken and let marinate 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix cheeses together. Then, add 2 cups of the cheese, salsa verde, rice, sour cream, green chilies, and corn to the chicken and marinade. Stir until evenly combined.
- Add chicken/rice mixture to a 9ร13-inch casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until hot in the center then broil until cheese is golden.
Can I Prep This Chicken and Rice Bake in Advance?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking it off.
Tips for Making Chicken and Rice Casserole
Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole Recipe Variations & Substitutions
How to Store Baked Chicken and Casserole
Store leftovers of this cheesy chicken and rice bake in the fridge in an airtight container. Leftovers will last up to 5 days.
How to Reheat Baked Chicken and Casserole
I recommend reheating leftovers of this chicken and rice casserole from scratch in the oven or in the microwave. If reheating in the microwave, you may want to add a splash of water to the dish so that the rice doesnโt dry out.
Can I Freeze Chicken and Rice Bake?
Yes! Let cool to room temperature, then seal inside a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Itโll last up to 3 months frozen. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
What to Serve with Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
This cheesy chicken and rice bake is a meal-in-one complete with protein, veggies and grains.ย So, you call dinner done or serve it with any of these additional sides:
Looking for More Chicken and Rice Recipes?
One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Thai Soup with Coconut Chicken and Rice
One Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice
Dijon Chicken, Cheddar, Broccoli and Rice Skillet
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
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ยฉCarlsbad Cravingsย by CarlsbadCravings.com
Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
- 3 1/2 cups cooked long grain rice or brown rice
- 2 cups Homemade Salsa Verde (or storebought like mild Herdez)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 15 oz. can sweet corn, rinsed and drained
- 1 4 oz. can mild diced green chilies
10 Minute Marinade
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tsp EACH onion pwdr, garlic pwdr
- 1/2 tsp EACH salt, smoked paprika, cumin, chipotle pwdr
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for more heat)
Optional Garnishes
- Tortilla chips
- sour cream
- cilantro
- Avocados
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the 10 Minute Marinade ingredients. Add cooked chopped chicken and let marinate 10 minutes.
- Mix cheeses together and add 2 cups cheese, salsa verde, rice, sour cream, green chilies, and corn to the chicken and marinade. Stir until evenly combined. It will seem a little โwetโ which is normal. Add chicken/rice mixture to a 9 x 13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until hot in the center then broil until cheese is golden.
- Serve with desired garnishes.
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Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
John Rutherford says
Made this for dinner tonight. My husband and I loved it. I made the Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Honey Lime Tacos two nights ago. I made extra chicken because I wanted to try this recipe, too. So glad I did. Measured the leftover juices from the crockpot and added a little more honey and the juice of one lime, then, filled out the remainder with salsa verde. Served the very refreshing Pina Colada Fruit Salad alongside. Thatโs another 5-star recipe. Thanks.
Jen says
Hello! This comment must have gotten lost in a backlog, but thank you so much for the kind review! I love that it was a hit and your salad pairing sounds divine!