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Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole

This Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole has layers of fluffy rice topped with Mexican seasoned diced chicken, chunky salsa and melted Monterey Jack cheese. 

This recipe is moderately low-carb, but not necessarily by Keto extreme low-carb guidelines.

This recipe for two is made, baked, and served in individual dishes that go right from the oven to the table for easy clean up.

a graphic of Cheesy Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe for Two
Mexican Chicken Cheese and Rice Recipe

This dish makes a great lunch, dinner, or romantic date night meal for two.

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How to make Salsa Chicken and Rice Bake

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).

Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Spray two 18.6-ounce oven-safe baking dishes with non-stick spray. Click for 18.6 ounce oven safe baking dishes.

Spread the rice into each dish, divided evenly, and pour the unsalted chicken broth into each dish, divided evenly.

uncooked rice and chicken broth in two baking dishes

Layer the chicken over the rice and broth in each dish, divided evenly.

diced chicken on top of rice and broth

Sprinkle evenly with the cumin, salt, pepper, onion powder, and minced garlic, divided evenly.

cumin, salt, pepper, and minced garlic sprinkled on top of chicken and rice

Cover chicken with the salsa, divided evenly.

chicken and rice in two casserole dishes

Top with the shredded cheese, divided evenly.

chicken and rice in two casserole dishes
Salsa Chicken and Rice Bake

Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley, if desired.

Serve on cork trivets to protect surfaces from heat. Click for cork trivets.

Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole in a casserole dish
Cheesy Salsa Chicken and Rice

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Cheesy Salsa Chicken and Rice Casseroles

Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole

Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole has layers of fluffy rice topped with Mexican seasoned diced chicken, chunky salsa and melted Monterey Jack cheese.
4.25 from 28 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Chicken-Poultry
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2
Calories 354 kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ lb boneless skinless chicken
  • ½ cup instant white rice
  • ¾ cup unsalted chicken broth
  • teaspoon cumin
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup chunky salsa
  • ½ cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C).
  • Dice the chicken into bite sized pieces.
  • Spray two 18.6 ounce oven safe baking dishes with non-stick spray. Click for 18.6 ounce oven safe baking dishes.
  • Spread the rice into each dish, divided evenly, and pour the unsalted chicken broth into each dish, divided evenly.
  • Layer the chicken over the rice and broth in each dish, divided evenly.
  • Sprinkle evenly with the cumin, salt, pepper, onion powder, and minced garlic, divided evenly.
  • Cover chicken with the salsa, divided evenly.
  • Top with the shredded cheese, divided evenly.
  • Bake 30 – 35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley, if desired.
  • Serve on cork trivets to protect surfaces from heat. Click for cork trivets.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 354kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 36gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 902mgPotassium: 707mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 566IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg
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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

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Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole in a dish.
Salsa Chicken Rice Casserole
4.25 from 28 votes (28 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Seymone

Thursday 28th of January 2021

OMG So good. Did not have Salsa so used my homemade chili sauce. Also no onion powder so doubled cumin. So delish and so much for 400 calories. A definite make again. Husband loved it. Thanks for the recipe. So easy to make.

Zona

Friday 29th of January 2021

Hi Seymone, sounds like your substitutions worked out great for you and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Kaye Smith

Saturday 10th of October 2020

Could I substitute instant brown rice for the instant white rice?

Zona

Saturday 10th of October 2020

Hi Kaye, I have not tried that but I think it should work just fine. Enjoy :)

halie thomas

Thursday 20th of February 2020

Could i combine these in a square casserole dish and cook it about the same time? I don't have any single serving dishes yet to use.

bre

Thursday 28th of May 2020

@Zona, hi Zona did this work and what size pan did you use? Also..I used to make this in a skillet on the stove and I can't find the recipe do you have any similar?thanks

Zona

Friday 21st of February 2020

Hi Halie, I have not baked this in one square dish but I believe that would work just fine. Good luck and enjoy :)