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Looking for an Easy Meal that brings bold Tex-Mex flair to your dinner table? This Salsa Verde Chicken Rice Casserole is your new go-to recipe for a satisfying, fuss-free dinner. With tender chicken, tangy green chiles, and creamy Monterey Jack, it’s a warm, family-friendly dish ready in about an hour from prep to broil.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes champion minimal hands-on time, maximum flavor.
- Uses pantry staples: rice, salsa verde, green chiles, and cheese.
- Customizable: swap white rice for brown, use shredded rotisserie chicken, or add more veggies.
- Perfect for meal prep reheats beautifully for lunches.
Ingredients
Below is everything you need. The table includes pantry-friendly brands for US audiences, but feel free to use what you have.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken broth | 3 cups |
| Herdez Salsa Verde | ¾ cup |
| Lundberg Long Grain White Rice | 2 cups |
| Green onions, chopped | 2 |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 1 tsp |
| Chicken breasts, bite-sized (~1 lb) | 2 |
| Canned green chiles | 4 oz |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Gluten-free flour (or all-purpose) | 5 tsp |
| Milk | 2 cups (divided) |
| Monterey Jack cheese, shredded | 8 oz (divided) |
| Sour cream | ⅓ cup |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Rice Base
- Generously spray an 8×8″ baking dish with nonstick spray; set aside.
- In a saucepan, bring chicken broth and salsa verde to a boil.
- Stir in rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook per package directions.
- Remove from heat, fluff rice, sprinkle green onions, cover again, and let rest 5 minutes.
Sauté the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken, green chiles, salt, and pepper; cook until chicken is just done.
- Stir in garlic, sauté 1 minute, then transfer mixture to a plate.
- Wipe skillet clean with paper towels; allow to cool slightly.
Make the Creamy Sauce
- Whisk flour with ½ cup milk in a small bowl.
- Return skillet to medium-high heat; pour in flour–milk mixture and remainiTable of Contentsng 1½ cups milk.
- Season with salt and pepper; bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Lower heat, simmer 8–10 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in 6 oz cheese and sour cream. Adjust seasoning.
Assemble and Broil
- Combine chicken mixture and rice with cheese sauce; transfer to the prepared dish.
- Sprinkle remaining 2 oz cheese on top.
- Broil until cheese is golden brown (2–3 minutes); watch carefully.
Helpful Tips
- For extra texture, stir in ½ cup frozen corn or black beans before baking.
- Use rotisserie chicken for an even quicker Simple Chicken Recipes twist.
- To make it lighter, swap half-and-half for milk or reduce cheese by 2 oz.
FAQ
Can I use brown rice?
Yes use 2½ cups brown rice and increase liquid by ¼ cup; cook 10–15 minutes longer.
Is this casserole freezer-friendly?
Absolutely. Freeze before broiling, thaw overnight, then sprinkle cheese and broil until bubbly.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Swap chicken for tofu cubes or chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
Ready for a crowd-pleasing, hearty casserole? Gather your ingredients and enjoy this Easy Meals superstar tonight!