Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole is made with olive oil, garlic, white onion, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground turmeric, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, shredded rotisserie chicken, microwaveable white rice, and grated pepper jack cheese.
This easy Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole recipe creates a dinner that takes about 30 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 to 6 people.
Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- One 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- One 10-ounce can of diced tomatoes and green chiles
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- Two 8.8-ounce bags of microwaveable white rice (use directly from the package)
- 1 1/2 cups grated pepper jack cheese, lightly packed
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving
How To Make Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole
- Heat the Skillet: In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and the spices are fragrant about 3 minutes.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with green chiles to the skillet. Stir in the shredded chicken. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add the Rice: Incorporate the uncooked microwaveable white rice directly into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to ensure the rice is evenly distributed. Continue to cook over medium heat until the rice is fully heated through and begins to absorb the tomato sauce, about 5-7 minutes.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle the grated pepper jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover with a lid and allow the cheese to melt completely, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the casserole with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot, ideally with a side of guacamole, sour cream, or a simple green salad.
Recipe Tips
- Add Rice Straight from the Bag: Put the rice in the skillet right from the package. This helps it soak up all the tasty flavors while cooking.
- Choose Your Cheese: Pepper jack cheese adds a nice spicy touch. If you like it less spicy, try using Monterey Jack or mild cheddar cheese.
- Adjust the Spice: Change how much cayenne pepper you use to make it just right for your taste. Add more for extra heat, or less if you like it mild.
- Soft Onions and Garlic: Cook the onion and garlic until they’re soft before adding the spices. This makes the base of your casserole really flavorful.
- Fresh Toppings: Add fresh cilantro, avocado, or sour cream on top of your casserole. These fresh toppings make the casserole taste even better.
What To Serve With Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole
Serve Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole with guacamole, chips, a fresh salad, and cornbread. You can also have it with refried beans, rice, steamed veggies, and sour cream for a tasty meal.
How To Store Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole
- To keep it in the fridge: Let the Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole cool down completely. Then cover it with plastic wrap or put it in a container that seals tight. It will stay good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- To freeze it: If you want to keep it for longer, wrap the casserole well with aluminum foil and then put it in a freezer bag or a container made for the freezer. You can freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then heat it up.
How To Reheat Leftover Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole
- In the oven: Turn the oven on to 350°F (175°C). Put the leftover casserole in a dish safe for the oven and cover it with foil. Heat it for 15-20 minutes until it’s hot all through.
- In the microwave: Take some casserole and put it in a dish that can go in the microwave. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring in the middle to warm it up evenly.
Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
- Calories: 637
- Total Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 76 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg
- Sodium: 855 mg
FAQs
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can put everything together in the skillet and keep it in the fridge without the cheese. When it’s time to eat, sprinkle the cheese on top and cook it a bit longer than usual because it starts cold.
What Other Cheese Can I Use?
If you don’t have or don’t like pepper jack cheese, try using Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Mexican blend cheese. They are less spicy but still melt well and taste great.
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead Of White Rice?
Yes, brown rice works too. It usually takes longer to cook, so it’s a good idea to use brown rice that’s already cooked or quick-cooking to keep the recipe quick.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Mexican Chicken Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole
Description
Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Casserole is made with olive oil, garlic, white onion, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground turmeric, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, shredded rotisserie chicken, microwaveable white rice, and grated pepper jack cheese.
This easy Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole recipe creates a dinner that takes about 30 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 4 to 6 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and the spices are fragrant about 3 minutes.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with green chiles to the skillet. Stir in the shredded chicken. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add the Rice: Incorporate the uncooked microwaveable white rice directly into the skillet. Stir thoroughly to ensure the rice is evenly distributed. Continue to cook over medium heat until the rice is fully heated through and begins to absorb the tomato sauce, about 5-7 minutes.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle the grated pepper jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover with a lid and allow the cheese to melt completely, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the casserole with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot, ideally with a side of guacamole, sour cream, or a simple green salad.
Notes
- Add Rice Straight from the Bag: Put the rice in the skillet right from the package. This helps it soak up all the tasty flavors while cooking.
- Choose Your Cheese: Pepper jack cheese adds a nice spicy touch. If you like it less spicy, try using Monterey Jack or mild cheddar cheese.
- Adjust the Spice: Change how much cayenne pepper you use to make it just right for your taste. Add more for extra heat, or less if you like it mild.
- Soft Onions and Garlic: Cook the onion and garlic until they’re soft before adding the spices. This makes the base of your casserole really flavorful.
- Fresh Toppings: Add fresh cilantro, avocado, or sour cream on top of your casserole. These fresh toppings make the casserole taste even better.
