Get ready to transform your taco Tuesday with this incredible Chicken Burrito Casserole. Imagine all the savory, cheesy goodness of a classic chicken burrito, deconstructed and baked into a bubbly, satisfying dish that the whole family will love. It’s the ultimate comfort food, packing all the Mexican-inspired flavors you crave into one simple, easy-to-make casserole. This recipe is your new secret weapon for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We’re layering tender shredded chicken, hearty beans, sweet corn, and fluffy rice, all smothered in a rich enchilada sauce and topped with a generous blanket of melted cheese. It’s a complete meal in one pan that delivers big on flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s dive in and make this deliciousness happen!
Why This Chicken Burrito Casserole is a Weeknight Winner
When your week is packed, you need recipes that are simple, fast, and satisfying. This Chicken Burrito Casserole checks every box. It’s a true one-pan wonder, which means less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your meal. You can even prep the components ahead of time for an even faster assembly. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken or rice, making it a budget-friendly choice, too. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize based on what you have on hand. It’s the kind of comforting meal that brings everyone to the table, making it a perfect addition to your regular dinner rotation, much like a cozy bacon cheeseburger soup on a chilly evening.
The Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and use of pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavor-packed dish.
For the Casserole Base
Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver, but you can also use any cooked, shredded chicken you have. Our 30-minute baked chicken breast recipe is perfect for this.
Cooked Rice: White or brown rice works perfectly. This is a great way to use up leftovers.
Black Beans: Be sure to rinse and drain them well to remove excess sodium.
Corn: Frozen, fresh, or canned corn adds a pop of sweetness and texture.
Red Enchilada Sauce: This is the flavor backbone of the casserole. Choose your favorite brand with a mild or medium spice level.
Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: A blend of Monterey Jack, cheddar, and Colby melts beautifully and provides that irresistible cheese pull.
Diced Onion & Bell Pepper: Sautéing these first adds a deep layer of flavor to the base.
Seasonings: Cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder give the casserole its signature warm and savory taste.
Our Favorite Toppings
Toppings are where you can really have fun and make this dish your own! Set up a toppings bar and let everyone customize their serving.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
Diced Avocado or Guacamole
Fresh Cilantro
Sliced Jalapeños
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Your Favorite Salsa
Layering the filling is the key to a perfect casserole every time.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Chicken Burrito Casserole
Making this layered burrito casserole is incredibly easy. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Sauté the Veggies: In a large skillet, sauté the diced onion and bell pepper over medium heat until they are soft and fragrant. Add the garlic powder and cook for another minute.
Combine the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, cooked rice, black beans, corn, and the sautéed vegetables. Add half of the enchilada sauce, half of the shredded cheese, cumin, and chili powder. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread the chicken and rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top.
Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the sauce. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set up and makes it easier to slice. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole
Want to elevate your Chicken Burrito Casserole? Here are a few expert tips to guarantee success.
Don’t Skip Sautéing: Taking a few minutes to sauté the onions and peppers before adding them to the mix makes a huge difference in the final flavor.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best gooey, melty top, shred your own cheese.
Let it Rest: Allowing the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial. It allows the layers to set, so you get clean, beautiful slices instead of a messy pile.
Gather these simple pantry staples to make our delicious layered burrito casserole.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but feel free to get creative and adapt it to your taste.
Make it Spicy!
If you like a little heat, add a diced jalapeño to the vegetable sauté, use a hot enchilada sauce, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling. A sprinkle of your favorite pickled habaneros on top would also be delicious.
Low-Carb Swaps
For a lower-carb version, simply swap the rice for cauliflower rice and omit the corn. The result is just as flavorful and satisfying. It has a similar vibe to our popular keto ground beef casserole.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
While this Chicken Burrito Casserole is a complete meal on its own, a simple side can round it out perfectly. A light green salad with a cilantro-lime vinaigrette is a refreshing contrast. For something extra, try serving it with a side of tortilla chips for dipping.
Make-Ahead and Storage Guide
This dish is perfect for meal prep. Here’s how to prepare it in advance and store leftovers.
How to Make it Ahead of Time
You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Simply prepare it as directed, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time since it will be starting from cold.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire baking dish back in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. The casserole also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the quickest and easiest option. However, any cooked, shredded chicken will work perfectly, such as baked chicken breasts or thighs.
While this recipe is designed as a layered rice casserole, you could certainly add layers of torn flour or corn tortillas to make it more like a traditional enchilada casserole. Add them between the filling and the sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire casserole in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Yes, this casserole freezes very well. You can freeze it baked or unbaked. Tightly wrap the dish in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this easy casserole, be sure to check out some of our other fan-favorite recipes. We know you’ll enjoy them!
We hope you love this easy and flavorful Chicken Burrito Casserole recipe! It’s a dish that’s sure to become a staple in your home. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
This cheesy Chicken Burrito Casserole is the ultimate one-pan weeknight dinner!
Chicken Burrito Casserole Recipe
FL Recipes
Chicken Burrito Casserole (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
This easy Chicken Burrito Casserole features tender shredded chicken, beans, corn, and rice baked in a savory enchilada sauce and topped with melted cheese. It's the perfect one-pan weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
3cupscooked shredded chickena rotisserie chicken works great
1cupcooked ricewhite or brown
15ozcanned black beansrinsed and drained
1cupcornfrozen, fresh, or canned
1medium oniondiced
1bell pepperany color, diced
20ozred enchilada sauce
2cupsshredded Mexican cheese blenddivided
1tspcumin
1tspchili powder
1/2tspgarlic powder
1tbspolive oil
Equipment
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
1 Large Skillet
1 Large Mixing Bowl
Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic powder and cook for 1 minute more.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, rinsed black beans, corn, the sautéed vegetables, 1 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, cumin, and chili powder. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before garnishing with your favorite toppings and serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 410kcalProtein: 33gFat: 18gFiber: 6g
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
