Chicken and Rice Queso Casserole Recipe
This Chicken and Rice Queso Casserole is a comforting and flavorful baked dish combining tender seasoned chicken, creamy queso sauce, spicy green chiles, and cheesy rice. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, it features a savory blend of Mexican-inspired flavors and a creamy cheesy texture that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 15 oz queso
- ¾ cups half and half
- 4.5 oz chopped green chiles
- ¾ cup finely minced onion
- 2 cups instant white rice, cooked
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Heat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 3-quart casserole dish by spritzing it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning to coat the chicken evenly.
- Cook the rice: Prepare the instant white rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, transfer it into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix queso sauce and vegetables: To the bowl with the rice, add the queso, half and half, chopped green chiles, and minced onion. Stir well to combine until the mixture is creamy and evenly mixed.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the queso and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Evenly distribute the cooked taco-seasoned chicken over the rice, then top with the shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly and the casserole is warmed through.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Optional: garnish with fresh diced cilantro before serving for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use cooked rice instead of instant if preferred, adjusting moisture as needed.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or use spicy queso.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this dish lighter, use reduced-fat cheese and half and half.
- Freeze leftover casserole portions for up to 2 months.
Keywords: Chicken casserole, queso casserole, Mexican casserole, cheesy chicken and rice, baked chicken recipe
