Pin it
Bring all your usual burrito flavors together in a cozy, crowd-pleasing bake. Scoop up hearty bites of juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful veggies, all jazzed up with bold spices. It’s finished off with gooey cheese and lots of fresh toppings.
When I tried out different baked Mexican dishes, I found that adding the seasonings at the right time and choosing brown rice really pulled everything together. Now my family asks for this “burrito bowl” all the time.
Tasty Ingredients and Handy Picks
- Broth: Use low-salt so you can control flavor
- Spices: Fresh ones kick up the flavor
- Cheese: Shred it yourself for maximum melt
- Green chilies: Canned or fresh both do the trick
- Black beans: Rinse them so they’re not super salty
- Chicken: Grab rotisserie for serious convenience
- Brown rice: Go for long grain—it won’t get mushy
Simple Step-by-Step Directions
- Step 1:
- Get Things Started: Cover tightly with foil. Double check your liquids are mixed in a separate bowl. Sprinkle spices throughout. Toss rice in with your veggies. Make sure it’s all spread out.
- Step 2:
- Layer Everything On: Ease in your broth mix. Put in the chicken and veggies, a bit at a time. Taste to see if you need more seasoning. Once everything’s in, press down so it’s compact. Cover well with foil.
- Step 3:
- Finish Up in the Oven: Pop it in and keep the temp steady. Add cheese near the end, not too soon. Peek to make sure the rice is done and most of the liquid’s gone. Let it rest before serving so it’s all set.
Pin it
Big family get-together tip: handle those toppings while the main dish cooks. You’ll use the casserole’s rest time to your advantage and fresh add-ons make it awesome.
Prep-Ahead Tricks
Keep things stress-free: Mix seasonings the night before. Dice up veggies ahead of time. Cook your chicken in advance. Measure out what you’ll need. Prep all your toppings first.
What to Put on Top
Make it fun—set out toppings like: Sour cream. Fresh lime. Chopped avocado. Pico de gallo. Bright cilantro. Spicy jalapeños.
Pin it
If I’m feeding lots of friends, this Mexican-inspired bake is my top pick. It’s proof you don’t need to sacrifice comfort for quick and tasty food.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?
- You can swap in white rice. Just check the package for how much water it needs and shave about 15 minutes off the bake time.
- → Can I make this casserole spicier?
- Yep, just crank up the cayenne or stir in some chopped jalapeño if you want a bigger kick.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Pop leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge and they'll be good for about four days. Warm them up in the oven or in a microwave.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken?
- Totally! Grab a rotisserie bird, pull the meat off, and use 5 cups of the shredded stuff to save time.
- → Can I freeze this casserole?
- You sure can. Stash it in a tight container and freeze up to three months. Let it thaw overnight and reheat, then toss on any fresh toppings right before eating.