Description
This Green Chile Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and mildly spicy one-dish meal that combines savory chicken, zesty green chiles, and flavorful chicken-flavored rice. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare with minimal ingredients and yields a deliciously cheesy casserole baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Mixture
- 1 box Chicken Rice-a-Roni
- Water as called for on Rice-a-Roni package
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (4.5-oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded (divided)
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Rice-a-Roni: Prepare the Chicken Rice-a-Roni according to the package instructions, using the recommended amount of water. This will typically involve simmering the rice mixture until tender and flavorful.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, unsalted cream of chicken soup, diced green chiles, cumin, 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese, and the chopped cooked chicken. Stir in the cooked rice to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Assemble Casserole: Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly cooked chicken; rotisserie chicken works well to save time.
- You can adjust the amount of green chiles based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- Ensure the casserole is hot and bubbly before removing it from the oven to guarantee thorough heating.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
