Embark on a culinary journey to the Southwest with this comforting and vibrant casserole. Fluffy rice, tender chicken, and a medley of Southwestern flavors meld together under a blanket of melted Cheddar for a dish that's both satisfying and simple to prepare.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)

02

Step

Lightly coat a 4-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. (1 minute)

03

Step

In the prepared dish, combine the chopped rotisserie chicken, uncooked white rice, rinsed black beans, and drained corn. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly. (3 minutes)

04

Step

In a large bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, 2 cups of chicken broth, sour cream, chili powder, salt, cumin, ancho chile pepper, and white pepper until thoroughly combined. (3 minutes)

05

Step

Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and rice mixture in the casserole dish. Stir gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated. The mixture should appear fairly soupy at this stage. (2 minutes)

06

Step

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. (1 minute)

07

Step

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. (40 minutes)

08

Step

Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully remove the foil. Stir the contents. (2 minutes)

09

Step

If the casserole appears too dry or the rice is beginning to stick, add the reserved 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Stir to incorporate the liquid. (1 minute)

10

Step

Cover the casserole again with foil and return it to the oven for another 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. (40 minutes)

11

Step

Remove the foil, stir the casserole, and sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. (2 minutes)

12

Step

Return the uncovered casserole to the oven for approximately 5 minutes, or until the Cheddar cheese is melted and bubbly. (5 minutes)

13

Step

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the casserole to set slightly.

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
Feel free to substitute brown rice for white rice, but be aware that the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Check for doneness after 1 hour and add more broth if needed.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Consider adding a layer of crushed tortilla chips on top before baking for added texture.
For a creamier casserole, use Mexican crema instead of sour cream.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 5.0/ 5 ( 2 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (10)

Joan Sawayn
Jul 2, 2025
Next time, I'll try it with quinoa instead of rice to make it gluten-free!
Cary Pfeffer
Jul 1, 2025
I added a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies for extra flavor, and it was a hit!
Dolly Mohr
Jul 1, 2025
I halved the sour cream and used plain Greek yogurt instead. Tasted great and was a bit healthier.
Waylon Gottlieb
Jul 1, 2025
This recipe is a lifesaver! So easy to throw together on a busy weeknight.
Franco Beatty
Jul 1, 2025
This recipe is great, but watch your sodium. I omitted the added salt and it was still flavorful enough.
Clarabelle Lockman
Jun 30, 2025
I found that my rice was still a bit crunchy after the recommended cooking time. I added a bit more broth and baked it for another 15 minutes, and it turned out perfectly.
Retta Larkin
Jun 30, 2025
Delicious, will make it again!
Delphine Jacobson
Jun 30, 2025
I love that this is so customizable. I've made it with different types of beans and veggies, and it always comes out great.
Burdette Schneider
Jun 30, 2025
This is my go-to recipe for potlucks. It's always a crowd-pleaser!
Ezra Schuppe
Jun 29, 2025
My family loved this! The flavors were perfect, and even my picky eater went back for seconds.

Southwest Chicken and Rice Casserole