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Mexican Chicken Casserole

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Delicious and healthy Mexican Chicken Casserole made with quinoa, fresh veggies, black beans, and cheese.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 277 kcal

Equipment

  • large saucepan
  • Dutch oven
  • Casserole dish

Ingredients
  

Quinoa and Chicken

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces (about 2 large breasts)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic about 2 cloves
  • 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (15 ounces) well drained
  • 1 can black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • ½ cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese divided
  • Fresh cilantro for serving

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large casserole dish (9x13 inch or similar) with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • Place 2 cups water and quinoa in a large saucepan, then bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  • In a Dutch oven or similar large, deep sauté pot, heat the olive oil over medium high. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Sauté until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Continue to sauté until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and drained tomatoes and cook 1 additional minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the black beans, reserved quinoa, Greek yogurt, ¼ cup cheddar cheese, and ¼ cup mozzarella cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly in the pan. Top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, about 15 minutes. Turn the oven to broil, then continue cooking until the cheese is lightly browned, about 3 to 4 additional minutes, watching carefully so that the cheese does not burn. Let rest 5 minutes, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve.

Notes

This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 24gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 39mgFiber: 6g
Keyword casserole, chicken, Healthy, Mexican Chicken Casserole, quinoa, Vegetarian
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