Cheesy Mexican Chicken & Rice Skillet Bake

You may have figured it out by now, but our family loves the flavours that go along with Mexican food.  Something Mexican-influenced generally shows up once a week or so.  This week’s chicken and rice bake requires some time up front, but then you get to put it in the oven and forget about it for a while.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes, 60 minutes

Serves: 6 people

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 Tbsp Mexican Seasoning
• 1 cup converted or brown rice
• 2 cup Chicken Broth
• 1 14-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can green chiles
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 2 cups Shredded Jack or Cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Brown chicken and onions in olive oil in an oven-proof skillet, over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. Add Mexican seasonings and stir until everything is coated and you can smell the spices bloom.
3. Add rice, chicken broth, beans, chiles, corn, and salsa.  Stir well and bring to a boil.  Cover with a well-fitting lid or foil, and place in the oven for 45 minutes.
4. Remove skillet from oven, and cream cheese, mix well, and cover the top with the shredded cheese.  Replace in the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted.
5. Serve with garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado, chopped jalapeno, and tortilla chips.

Tips

• If you don’t have a skillet with a heat-proof handle, wrap the entire handle in aluminum foil.  Remember that it will be HOT when it comes out of the oven, though!
• The rice will probably be a bit liquidy still when it comes out of the oven the first time, and that is okay.  When you uncover it and put it back, that liquid should evaporate.  Because all ovens heat differently, make sure you leave it in the oven until all the liquids have been absorbed.

If you give this recipe a try please share your results and post a picture in the comments section.  And let us know if you made it as-is, or if you made any modifications to suit your family’s needs and tastes.