Easy Chicken Burrito Casserole

Easy Chicken Burrito Casserole brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine to your dinner table in one simple dish that feeds the whole family with minimal effort. This hearty casserole combines tender shredded chicken, nutritious brown rice, protein-packed beans, and sweet corn in a perfectly seasoned broth that cooks everything together to savory perfection. Topped with melted cheese and your favorite garnishes, it delivers all the satisfaction of restaurant-style burritos without the fuss of individual wrapping. The best part? After quick assembly, your oven does all the work while you attend to other things.

I created this recipe during a particularly hectic week when my family needed a hearty dinner but I had limited time to cook. My teenage son, who typically picks at casseroles, went back for seconds and then asked if we could have it again the next night! The combination of familiar flavors in an easy-to-eat format makes it a consistent winner at our table.

Quality Components

• Parboiled rice: This partially cooked rice ensures perfect texture in the casserole without becoming mushy. Brown varieties add extra fiber and nutrition.
• Shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken provides convenience and deep flavor from its seasoned skin and bones. The moist meat distributes perfectly throughout the dish.
• Black beans: These protein-rich legumes add hearty texture and nutritional value. Rinsing removes excess sodium and improves texture.
• Fajita seasoning: Creates authentic Mexican flavor without measuring multiple spices. Look for varieties without added fillers or excessive salt.
• Bell peppers: Add sweet, fresh flavor and vibrant color. Red varieties offer the most sweetness and highest vitamin content.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully with mild flavor that complements rather than overwhelms the other ingredients. Its creamy texture creates the perfect golden topping.

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Simple Steps

Perfect Preparation:

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F, which provides the ideal temperature for cooking rice evenly while allowing flavors to meld. The high temperature also ensures proper browning of the cheese topping in the final minutes of baking. As your oven heats, gather all ingredients and measuring tools to streamline the assembly process. This one-dish meal comes together quickly with minimal prep work – no precooking required for the vegetables or rice.

Easy Assembly:

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, combine finely diced onion, diced red bell pepper, uncooked parboiled rice, fajita seasoning, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir these dry ingredients together until evenly distributed, ensuring the rice grains are coated with seasoning. This simple step builds flavor from the beginning, allowing the spices to bloom as they cook. The baking dish serves as both mixing bowl and cooking vessel, minimizing cleanup later.

Flavorful Liquid:

In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, canned green chilies, tomato paste, and olive oil until well combined. The broth provides cooking liquid for the rice while adding savory depth. Green chilies contribute mild heat and authentic Southwestern flavor. Tomato paste adds rich umami notes and beautiful color. The olive oil ensures the rice cooks to perfect tenderness. This carefully balanced liquid mixture is the key to properly cooked rice and developed flavors.

Complete Combination:

Pour the broth mixture over the rice and vegetables in the baking dish, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Add shredded chicken, drained and rinsed black beans, and frozen corn kernels. Gently fold everything together until the ingredients are evenly dispersed throughout the dish. The mixture should appear quite soupy at this stage – this is normal and necessary, as the rice will absorb the liquid during baking.

Proper Baking:

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, creating a seal that traps steam and allows the rice to cook perfectly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes, which gives the rice ample time to absorb the liquid and become tender. The long, covered baking time allows flavors to meld beautifully while ensuring all components cook evenly. Resist the urge to peek during this initial baking period, as releasing steam can result in undercooked rice.

Cheese Finish:

After the initial baking period, remove the foil and check that the rice is tender and most liquid has been absorbed. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the entire surface, creating a generous layer that will melt into a golden, bubbling topping. Return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts completely and begins to develop light golden spots. This final step creates the irresistible cheesy finish that makes this casserole so appealing.

Perfect Serving:

Once baked, allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the remaining liquid to be fully absorbed and makes serving neater. Portion onto plates and offer a variety of optional toppings like fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado, and dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt. These fresh garnishes add brightness, texture contrast, and visual appeal to the baked casserole.

Nutrition Notes

• Complete protein source when beans and rice combine
• Bell peppers provide vitamin C and antioxidants
• Brown rice adds fiber and complex carbohydrates
• Black beans contribute plant-based protein and iron
• Balanced meal with protein, complex carbs, and vegetables

My neighbor who follows a gluten-free diet loves this recipe because it naturally fits her dietary needs without modification. She appreciates how it provides complete nutrition in one dish and says it's become her go-to for family gatherings since it pleases everyone regardless of dietary preferences.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile casserole adapts beautifully to various serving styles. Family-Style Buffet places the baked casserole at the center of the table surrounded by bowls of fresh toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges. This interactive approach allows each person to customize their portion while creating a convivial dining experience. Meal Prep Portions divides the cooled casserole into individual containers topped with a small portion of cheese and fresh garnishes added just before eating. This approach provides grab-and-go lunches or dinners throughout the busy week.

Creative Variations

Verde Chicken substitutes salsa verde for the tomato paste and green chilies, and uses pepper jack cheese instead of Monterey Jack. This variation creates a tangier, slightly spicier profile with the distinctive flavor of tomatillos in every bite. The melted pepper jack adds subtle heat throughout the casserole for those who enjoy more spice. Southwestern Veggie replaces the chicken with an additional can of black beans or pinto beans and adds diced zucchini and yellow squash. This vegetarian version maintains protein content through the additional beans while incorporating extra vegetables for nutrition and color.

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Storage Success

Proper storage maintains quality for enjoyable leftovers. Refrigerator Method keeps portions fresh for 3-4 days in airtight containers. The flavors actually improve after a day as they continue to meld. For best results when reheating, add a tablespoon of water before microwaving to restore moisture. Cover with a damp paper towel to create steam that prevents the rice from drying out during reheating.

I developed this recipe when looking for ways to transform leftover rotisserie chicken into something that didn't feel like leftovers. What began as kitchen improvisation has become one of our most requested family meals. My personal touch is adding a tablespoon of lime zest to the liquid mixture – it adds brightness that balances the rich flavors beautifully. This casserole proves that comfort food doesn't need to be complicated or unhealthy to be satisfying. The combination of protein, whole grains, and vegetables creates a balance that feels indulgent while actually providing excellent nutrition. When life gets hectic, this is the recipe I turn to for a stress-free dinner that still makes everyone feel cared for at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of rice in this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute the parboiled long-grain brown rice with several alternatives. White long-grain rice works well and will reduce the cooking time by about 15-20 minutes. Basmati or jasmine rice can also be used for different flavor profiles. If using instant rice, you'll need to significantly reduce the liquid (by about half) and cooking time (to about 30 minutes). Avoid short-grain or arborio rice as they tend to become too sticky in this recipe.

→ How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version of this casserole, simply omit the chicken and substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. You can either increase the black beans (add an extra can) for more protein or add 2 cups of plant-based meat alternatives. Diced zucchini, mushrooms, or additional bell peppers also make great additions to bulk up the vegetable content. The cooking time and other ingredients remain the same.

→ Can I make this casserole spicier?

Absolutely! There are several ways to increase the heat level. Add more cayenne pepper (up to 1/2 teaspoon for significant heat), use hot green chilies instead of mild, incorporate 1-2 finely diced jalapeños or serranos with the bell pepper, or add 1-2 teaspoons of hot sauce to the broth mixture. You could also use a spicy Mexican cheese blend instead of Monterey Jack. For serving, offer hot sauce or sliced fresh jalapeños as additional toppings.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

This casserole stores exceptionally well. Once cooled, place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For freezing, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat refrigerated portions, microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or use the microwave's defrost setting before heating. You can also reheat larger portions in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

→ What can I do if my casserole is too dry or too wet?

If your casserole turns out too dry, it likely cooked too long or at too high a temperature. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of warm broth or water, stir gently, and let it sit covered for 5 minutes to rehydrate. If your casserole is too wet after the full cooking time, remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to evaporate excess liquid. Remember that different types of rice absorb liquid differently, so you may need to adjust the liquid ratio in future preparations.