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Chicken Rice and Grains Dinner Casseroles Mexican
4.5 from 553 votes

Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

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By: Joanna Cismaru •3/23/23 398 Comments

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pin for chicken enchilada rice casserole.

This Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole can be on your dinner table in just 50 minutes. You’ve got all the makings of a chicken enchilada but with rice. It’s simply delicious! The cheesy, hearty flavor is what makes this dish simply stand out instantly. Absolutely delicious!

a spatula lifting a piece of chicken enchilada rice casserole from a casserole dish.
Table of Contents Open
  • Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How To Make Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Can I use anything else besides chicken breast?
    • Why is my rice mushy?
    • Can I add any other veggies?
  • Some Tips
  • Leftovers
    • Fridge
    • Freezer
  • More Delicious Recipes To Try
  • Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

This Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole has been on the blog for quite a few years now and it’s one of my top recipes for a reason. It’s super simple to make and it’s really delicious. You have all the flavors of a chicken enchilada but in a rice casserole.

  • Pantry staple ingredients
  • Easy to make
  • Enough to feed a crowd
  • Crowd favorite
  • Ready in LESS than 1 hour

All you need is cooked chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese and a couple pantry ingredients to make this loaded, comforting casserole. The whole combination of cheese with rice and chicken makes this dish the best weeknight dinner you could ask for! Plus, being able to have it done and ready in less than an hour is a total win for me!

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make chicken enchilada rice casserole.
  • Rice – Basmati rice works great with this, so does Jasmine rice but you can work around any white rice you have at home, long, medium or short grain. I wouldn’t use brown rice, risotto, or wild rice.
  • Cheese – I used a mix of white cheddar and Monterey Jack, but feel free to use whatever you have in the fridge. Great options would be regular cheddar cheese, Colby or a Mexican blend.
  • Chicken – I used 3 cooked chicken breasts which I shredded with 2 forks. A rotisserie chicken is also a great option here.
  • Sauce – I used my homemade red enchilada sauce, but a store bought version would work as well.
  • Refried Beans – You can make your own refried beans or use store bought.
  • Corn – Frozen or canned corn are great options.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

process shots showing how to make chicken enchilada casserole.
  1. Cook the rice: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and cook for about 18, or until rice is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.
  2. Prep the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Combine everything together: In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken with the enchilada sauce, refried beans, corn and half of the Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheese. Add the rice, season with salt and pepper if needed, and mix well. Pour rice mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with remainder of cheese.
  4. Bake: Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
  5. Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.
process shots showing how to assemble and bake chicken enchilada rice casserole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use anything else besides chicken breast?

You can use chicken thighs as well, or you can even buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the breasts and the thighs and use that.

Why is my rice mushy?

Rinse and drain rice thoroughly before cooking. This is crucial to remove the extra starch from the rice so it doesn’t cook up sticky and mushy. To rinse, place rice in a fine mesh sieve and thoroughly rinse rice under cool running water until the water runs clear.

Can I add any other veggies?

Definitely! The recipe is quite versatile, so you can very confidently add in more preferred veggies such as mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, chili peppers to give it a kick, peas, chickpeas or even some extra corn to have more of a yummy flavor.

chicken enchilada rice casserole cut into servings in a casserole dish.

Some Tips

  1. To save time, feel free to use a rotisserie chicken, shred the breasts and thighs and use in this recipe.
  2. You can definitely use store bought sauce for this recipe. However, if you wish to make your own Enchilada sauce at home, you can try out my recipe to get the best results.
  3. Use white rice only, whether it’s long, medium or short grain. I don’t recommend using brown rice, risotto or wild rice in this recipe.
  4. Feel free to add other veggies to this dish, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, etc. Also if you want to spice this up a bit, feel free to add in any spices you may like such cumin, coriander, garlic powder, etc.
a slice of chicken enchilada rice casserole on a white plate.

Leftovers

Fridge

If you have leftover chicken enchilada rice casserole, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.

Freezer

If freezing, store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out or cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven when completely thawed. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

chicken enchilada rice casserole cut into servings in a casserole dish.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Easy Chicken Enchiladas
  • White Chicken Enchiladas
  • Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • Beef Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
  • One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

chicken enchilada rice casserole cut into servings in a casserole dish.
Print
4.51 from 553 votes

Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

Prep 20 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 50 minutes
Rate Recipe
This Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole can be on your dinner table in just 50 minutes. You've got all the makings of a chicken enchilada but with rice. It’s simply delicious! The cheesy, hearty flavor is what makes this dish simply stand out instantly. Absolutely delicious!
12

Ingredients

  • 2 cups long grain rice (uncooked, such as Basmati)
  • 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded (about 1½ lbs))
  • 20 ounce red enchilada sauce
  • 16 ounce refried beans
  • 1 cup white cheddar (shredded)
  • 11 ounce corn kernel (drained (1 can))
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (or parsley for garnish)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Cook the rice: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and cook for about 18, or until rice is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.
  • Prep the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Combine everything together: In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken with the enchilada sauce, refried beans, corn and half of the Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheese. Add the rice, season with salt and pepper if needed, and mix well. Pour rice mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with remainder of cheese.
  • Bake: Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
  • Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch Casserole Dish

Notes

  1. To save time, feel free to use a rotisserie chicken, shred the breasts and thighs and use in this recipe.
  2. You can definitely use store bought sauce for this recipe. However, if you wish to make your own Enchilada sauce at home, you can try out my recipe to get the best results.
  3. Use white rice only, whether it’s long, medium or short grain. I don’t recommend using brown rice, risotto or wild rice in this recipe.
  4. Feel free to add other veggies to this dish, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, etc. Also if you want to spice this up a bit, feel free to add in any spices you may like such cumin, coriander, garlic powder, etc.
  5. If you have leftover chicken enchilada rice casserole, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
  6. If freezing, store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out or cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven when completely thawed. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
  7. Recipe originally published July 2014.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 204kcal (10%)Carbohydrates: 20g (7%)Protein: 14g (28%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mg (12%)Sodium: 866mg (38%)Potassium: 167mg (5%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 536IU (11%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 156mg (16%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

chicken enchilada rice casserole cut into servings in a casserole dish.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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398 Comments
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Viv
Viv
Posted: 4 days ago

5 stars
Made this and my family requested I make it again four days later. They love it! Very easy to make.

0
Reply
Debbie G
Debbie G
Posted: 13 days ago

Love this recipe when looking for different to make. We add either chopped green chilies or chopped jalapeños (canned) to add even more flavor.

0
Reply
Deb
Deb
Posted: 24 days ago

5 stars
I’ve made this about 5 times now in only a matter of a couple months. I and all I ‘ve made it for love it and it’s easy and quick. Thanks!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Deb
Posted: 24 days ago

My pleasure!

0
Reply
Cheri
Cheri
Reply to  Deb
Posted: 19 days ago

This is in the oven now! I made Mexican rice to mix in instead of white rice. I also layered corn tortillas lasagna style. I will top with green onion, sour cream and black olives. Can’t wait!!

0
Reply
Celia
Celia
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
This was a hit! Everyone likes it and even went for seconds. I followed the recipe, except I added a dry ranch packet for a more intense taste

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Celia
Posted: 1 month ago

So glad you liked it!

0
Reply
Mike
Mike
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
Loved this dish.

0
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
My whole family (picky husband and 3 kiddos 8, 10, 12) gobble this up. We like to scoop and eat it with tortilla chips and have cold tomatoes, olives, and pickled peppers to put on top after cooking. Tonight I tried it using ground beef and a can of black beans (drained/rinsed) in place of chicken and refried beans and it was another hit!

1
Reply
Amber
Amber
Posted: 3 months ago

I am going to make this soon can’t wait to try this but Could I add Rotel tomatoes to it just for a Lil kick I have kids don’t want to make it to spicy or soupy ?

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Amber
Posted: 3 months ago

Absolutely, let me know how you like it!

0
Reply
Mandy
Mandy
Posted: 5 months ago

5 stars
This recipe is a huge hit! Kids loved it! Hubby loved it! Adding to dinner rotation! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Mandy
Posted: 5 months ago

My pleasure, so glad you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Susanne
Susanne
Posted: 6 months ago

5 stars
This recipe has great bones! The basmati rice is perfect in it! I did add some sautéed onions and black olives to the mix and turned out really good. I didn’t think thé refried beans would be good but it works. Will definitely make it again.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Susanne
Posted: 6 months ago

So glad you guys liked it!

0
Reply
Mary
Mary
Posted: 7 months ago

Would this work with green enchilada sauce?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Mary
Posted: 7 months ago

I haven’t tried it myself, but I don’t see why not!

0
Reply
Deb
Deb
Reply to  Mary
Posted: 24 days ago

I tried it with green enchilada sauce and it was just as good!!

0
Reply
Zoe Turner
Zoe Turner
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
I love this recipe! Any tips on easy ways to shred the chicken? I was sitting there with 2 forks for about 20 mins and getting extremely frustrated

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Zoe Turner
Posted: 7 months ago

I haven’t tried this myself, but I’ve seen people do it in a mixer, give that a try!

1
Reply
Tillie
Tillie
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
Sooooo good! Followed it pretty much verbatim, except I added a can of diced green chilies. Perfect flavors!

0
Reply
Christine
Christine
Posted: 9 months ago

Doubling this recipe and taking half or more (15 servings) to a volunteer commitment tomorrow at lunchtime. Could i prep and assemble everything in the pans tonight, refrigerate then bake in the morning so I am taking it warm to the volunteer commitment ? (They can also reheat things there) or should I bake it tonight then they can reheat it there. (I may actually do it all tonight so I can try some for dinner too 🙂 ) Looking forward to trying it out ! Have not attempted something like this yet 🙂

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Christine
Posted: 9 months ago

You can absolutely do that!

0
Reply
Kati
Kati
Posted: 9 months ago

It’s not that great as is, but the suggestions to add more spices and veggies mages it pretty good. Basically it’s a good base to add more to your liking.

0
Reply
Jen
Jen
Posted: 1 year ago

I love this recipe! I make it all the time. I’d like to make it as a freezer meal for a friend. If freezing it, do I bake it first, or just assemble and freeze? Thanks so much!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jen
Posted: 1 year ago

There are freezing instructions under the Freezing section of Leftovers. But yes, you want to bake it first and then freeze it.

0
Reply

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