Print

Easy Southwest Chicken Casserole Recipe for Healthy Family Dinners

southwest chicken casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy southwest chicken casserole that combines smoky spices, tender chicken, and melty cheese for a healthy, comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g)
  • 15 oz (425 g) canned black beans, drained
  • 1 cup (150 g) corn kernels, frozen or canned
  • 10 oz (285 g) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt
  • 1½ cups (150 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups (400 g) cooked brown rice or quinoa
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
  2. Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced red onion and green bell pepper; cook about 4 minutes until softened.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the veggies and stir well.
  6. Add diced chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken and veggie mixture with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with chilies, cooked brown rice, and Greek yogurt. Stir until evenly mixed and creamy.
  8. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
  9. Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Notes

You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate; add 5-10 minutes extra baking time when cooking. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with extra beans or vegetables. Use dairy-free yogurt and vegan cheese for dairy-free adaptation. Watch cheese topping to avoid burning; cover loosely with foil if needed. Let casserole rest before serving for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: southwest chicken casserole, healthy casserole, easy family dinner, chicken casserole recipe, southwestern recipe, quick casserole, cheesy chicken casserole

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/easy-southwest-chicken-casserole-recipe-for-healthy-family-dinners/