One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
A flavorful one-pot casserole combining tender chicken, seasoned rice, black beans, and vegetables with classic Mexican spices. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs olive oil, diced medium onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1, diced medium onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice and toast for 1-2 minutes until slightly opaque. Add 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and let sit for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
