Mexican Chicken Casserole
I hope you enjoyed all of the great apple recipes on Southern Plate last week! I’m working on getting ready for the Southern Living Taste Of Charleston Food and Wine Festival next week and also in the planning stages on my Holiday Cooking Show so today my friend (and adopted brother) Stacey Little is doing a guest post that I know you’ll enjoy. You’ll also see why he is my adopted brother. We share the same heart on so many things! If you enjoy Stacey’s post today, be sure and leave a comment below and visit him over on his blog when you get a chance at Southern Bite!
Have a fabulous Tuesday and I’ll be back with a new post from me in a day or two!
Gratefully, Christy
Hey Everybody! I’m thrilled to be able to come back and visit with you and honored that Christy invited me to post! I have loved being a member of the Southern Plate Family for a couple of years now and getting to share one of my own recipes with you is always a fun treat for me. Today I thought I’d share something that is on my heart because I know it will resonate with you as much as it did me.
The other day a dear friend of mine posted something on Facebook that really got my attention.
Under the title “wisdom” she posted the following excerpt from Anna Quindlen. The message struck a chord with me and I haven’t been able to shake it.
“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is that I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.
There is one picture of my kids sitting in the grass on a quilt on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night.
I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.” — Anna Quindlen
The unfortunate part about living in a world that is constantly connected and ever-changing, is that we frequently forget to slow down and notice the small things that can make each day extraordinary. Ever since I read this, I’ve been making a concerted effort to notice those small things – the way my little boy talks, the way he eats, the way he smells after a bath. You might find my living room floor scattered with toys, my car may be littered with baby wipes and candy wrappers, and there might be a dozen loads of laundry to be done, but I’m going to make the effort to stop each day and pay attention to the other things – the more important things. Our days here are numbered and I’m positive that when I look back and remember the inflection in my little boy’s voice the time he told me I was his best friend, that pile of laundry and that dirty car won’t even be on the radar screen.
Do me a favor. Sit down with your family at dinner tonight and just be. Turn off the television, the smart phones, and computers. Ask, “How was your day?” and mean it. Don’t expect the same old “good”. Make a real effort to learn how your family’s days were. Reconnect. It’s past due. Trust me.
Now lets make a supper for you to sit down to.
You’ll need: cooked chicken, instant rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen diced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, Ro*Tel tomatoes, some cumin, garlic powder, and chicken broth.
(Okay, so you’re thinking… why the frozen onion? Right? Well, there are several reasons. First, frozen diced onion and frozen diced green pepper are a great thing to have in the freezer in a pinch. And second, use frozen because it cooks through faster and with this relatively short cooking time you’ll need them to cook faster. Using raw onions throws the cassserole texture way off. Trust me. I know these things.)
Okay, this is very scientific, so follow the directions exactly…
Dump all of the first nine ingredients and half of the cheddar cheese in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Next, turn the mixture out into a greased casserole dish (9X13). Again, very scientific. Then top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Ingredients Instructions
“The smallest deed done is better than the greatest intention never carried out.”
Submitted by Rejoiced Over. Submit your quote to our collection by clicking here.
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Sep 26 2011. Filed under Main Course, Quick&Easy.
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Wow, that sure is easy looking! I’ll bet it tastes good too. I grew up eating dinner at the table with my family sans TV or any other interruptions and my husband and I do the same the vast majority of the time. It’s always been the norm for me and I’m quite thankful.
Stacy, I’m already a huge fan of yours and have tried many of your recipes and love them! I made a casserole almost exactly like this last night (only 2 ingredients were different) I thought it was going to be a big hit with everyone but my son complained about the onion texture. Thanks for the frozen onion tip, I’ll definitely have to remember that!
I’ll be the first to admit my life is full of clutter, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world for the memories I have with my family!
Aww, you are too sweet! The frozen onions really make a huge difference.
Pretty easy & I actually think I have all these ingredients!
LOL! That’s the way it should be!
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try this recipe.
I have same receipe, but use spaghetti noodles that you cook in chicken broth. Everything else is same. Delicious.
Scott, I got very misty eyed reading that quote by Quindlen and your thoughts.
My boys are 13 and 15 and just this morning I was exasperated beyond words with the mess (created by them for the most part) that was/is my house and I was short with both of them. We’ll be sitting down for dinner tonight and I’ll be working on keeping the good stuff close to my heart. Thanks for the recipe too.
It’s amazing just how connected having dinner together can make you feel. Even if it’s hot dogs, we always sit together and talk about our day.
Haha, we’re having hot dogs at my house tonight, as menu planning and grocery shopping are both overdue. We aren’t overly traditional at my house, but one thing I make sure of every night is that we sit down together as a family for dinner. No TV, and I even make my husband put down his smartphone. If not for dinner I don’t know when we would all just sit together and talk. It’s the one time of day when we aren’t rushing- usually.
Thanks, Stacey, for sharing this great-looking recipe: delicious, simple to prepare, w/everyday ingredients… just the kind I like.
Cannot wait to try it!!!
I hope you enjoy it!
Been looking for a chicken recipe that my kiddos will actually eat. This looks fabulous and I actually have all the ingredients! Looks like I’ll be trying this out for supper tonight.
We always sit at the table and have our meal together. My husband and I make a point of asking our 3 kiddos (8,6, & 2) the best thing that happened that day and why, and the worst and why. It makes them have to interact with you and we feel involved with their day.
It’s probably the most special part of my day. We are so rushed, but we always make time to have dinner together.
Not sure why we have to say “in a pinch” about convenience items such as pre-chopped (frozen) onions, peppers, etc. I’ll just come right out here and admit that I HATE chopping. If I can find it pre-chopped, as a working wife, I’m going to use it. It helps me put a meal on the table and there’s nothing wrong with it. Just saying.
Hello, I’m Deanna and I’m a pre-chopped food user! LOL!
Hi Deanna, My name is Stacey and I’m a pre-chopped food user, too. Convenience foods make it easier to get wholesome food on the table for our families and who’s going to balk at that, right???
Okay I took my happy little pre-chopped self to the store, got the stuff to make this, and had a yummy dinner last night. Of course, I already had the chopped frozen onions in the freezer! LOL! I will adjust a few things to our taste, like most recipes I try, but this is a keeper! Hubby liked it too!Thanks Stacey!
Thank you for the post. We eat as a family, but I have been realizing we need to slow down and enjoy the time we have with our four children. Right now my four yr old is singing in the shower, me ten yr old is working on english, thirteen yr old doing algebra next to me,( because it’s easier when your near mom), and fifteen yr old. Reading on the couch Little Women for lit and the dog at my feet. I am so blessed!
You are so blessed! I love those moments when you just stop and take it all in and realize how fortunate you are. Seems like you just had one of those moments.
The recipe looks great and I love the short prep time and everyday ingredients. I wholeheartedly agree with your philosophical remarks. I am nearing 65 and I have gained in wisdom over the years. Enjoy every moment of your childrearing years as you don’t get do-overs. Years from now your children will not say mom or dad had the cleanest floors in our town , but they will remember the day they rolled and decorated sugar cookies.
You are so right! Thanks for sharing!
Do you cook the rice first or just dump it in uncooked?
As long as you’re using the instant like the recipe calls for, you just dump it in uncooked.
I would add it uncooked. Since it is instant rice it will cook fast while it is in the oven.
Stacey thank you for those wise words that everyone should read and follow. The recipe sounds terrific and will make this weekend.
You are so welcome! I hope y’all enjoy it!
Christy, I can’t thank you enough. Just made some apple butter using your crockpot recipe. It came out great. I got 2 qts and two 1/2 pints. And a little left over for sampling. It was amazing. Now I can make apple butter anytime I want. It’s so easy and my husband loves apple butter. I used 1/2 sugar and 1/2 splenda, because he’s a diabetic. Could not taste splenda in it at all. Many, many thanks!!!
Ok, here’s a dumb question. What are Ro*Tel tomatoes? Oh, and I was wondering the same thing about the rice – cooked or uncooked?
It looks great! Can’t wait to try it out.
Uncooked rice. Just dump it all in there. Ro*Tel tomatoes are a canned blend of tomatoes and green chiles. You can also find the generic bland listed simply as Tomatoes and Green Chiles.
Stacey,
This looks delicious and easy. Just the way I like it. I can so relate to your post today. As I am constantly trying to do it all, and I know we as a family are missing out on just being. We do need to get back to the table. Thanks for the reminder!
You’re welcome! I hope you find that time around the table as special as we do!
Love easy and fast recipes!!! This looks wonderful. Christy what did you eat with this? I’m so not use to having just a casserole without something else, hehe. Looking forward to making this great dish.
This dish has your protein, carbs, dairy and veggies, but like you, I felt like we needed something else. I think we had green beans with it. Not sure if it goes or not, but that’s what we did! LOL!
Thanks, Stacey, for the recipe & the inspirational story! I always enjoy your “guest posts” on Southern Plate!
Thanks, Sabrina! I always enjoy my guest posts over here too!
After reading the comments about chopping onions, peppers, etc. I thought i
should share information about the handiest tool in my kitchen. Its called
“Nicer Dicer.” My husband actually found it on the internet and ordered it for me. I LOVE IT and use it constantly. You can chop a truck load of onions, peppers, or anything that you chop in seconds…Its now a pleasure to make things I used to put off — like potato salad, Just order one, you’ll be glad you
did!
I’ll have to check that out! Thanks for sharing!
I have basically the same recipe. The only major difference is the addition of a 4oz can of diced green chilies or if you want just a bit more hear use a 4oz can of diced jalapenos. The addition of some crushed tortilla chips to the cheese on top adds a nice crunch to the topping.
Sounds delish! Thanks for the variation!
I love the quote…the great thing about being a grandparent is being with the kids and living in the moment. I enjoy every precious moment with them because i remember how fast the time goes when you are raising children. I remember being frustrated with the house and then saying “the heck with it, it’s not going anywhere but the kids will grow and I’ll never have this moment again.” Needless to say I stayed up late at night to catch up, but it was well worth it.
Recipe looks yummy, will have to give it a try.
Thank you for sharing.
I am so fortunate to have a wife and a little boy who make me realize that each day. Blowing bubbles with my little man beats washing dishes any day!
You know, if you don’t have anything nice to say, you don’t have to comment.
This sounds so good I can’t wait to try it. Since I have all the ingredients that will be for dinner tonight. Thanks for the recipe
I agree with Beth. If you can’t agree just be quiet. No use in spoiling everyone’s day. I live by myself and probably won’t make the casserole, but think it sounds very good. If I still had my family would be having it for supper. Thanks for your recipe and also the good thoughts you left with us.
should the rice be already cooked when you add it to the rest of the stuff?
The instant rice goes in uncooked.
about how many servings will this make? I work with a bunch of guys, all with big appetites…I think they would love this recipe, but want to be sure and have enough to feed everyone.
I think you could feed 5 or 6 folks without much problem.
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try this recipe.
I hope you enjoy it, Auntie!
Good morning, Stacey! I already follow your posts and am happy to see you over here today with such a good looking recipe. Bet I could buy one of the whole baked chickens at Kroger and make that recipe even easier, couldn’t I?
Thanks so much! Absolutely! A rotisserie chicken would be perfect in this recipe!
Stacey – what a lovely quote…we all have regrets…I am trying to do better with my grandson. Whenever he says/does something adorable/sweet, I enter it into my folder of Keeganisms. Such as the first time he saw regular sand at the beach compared to the white sands of the FL panhandle – he looked down and said, ” UGH – Kitty Litter”.
How funny! I wish I had the time to do something just like that. One of the most wonderful gifts I’ve ever gotten was from my Mom. She kept a diary of my entire senior year of high school and gave it to me at graduation. Now, it’s so neat to go back and be reminded of all those days!
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing the great recipe and for the great post.
Thanks, Darlene!
Oh Good heavens Stacey, just realized I called you Scott.
Coffee hadn’t kicked in yet…LOL!
LOL! No problem! I’ve been called worse!
Anyone every make this with canned chicken like in the Country Casserole? Think thats an option?
Hi Donna! Though I’ve never tested it with canned chicken, I can’t see why it would be a problem. The results should be about the same with only a slight variation in flavor. Let us know how it turns out!
Made this last night, and it was EXCELLENT. Hubby loved it and can be very picky. He ate his with tortilla chips, just scooped it up and ate it that way and really liked it like that. I thought about trying canned chicken but ‘chickened out’ (ha) and bought a rotisserie chicken instead. I could see too how the frozen diced onions made a difference as well. Loved it!!! Keep those recipes coming!!! -Donna Boren from Benton, KY
Oh this is just in time! I’m in the middle of moving but I still need something to feed my Grandson, who seems to be starving all the time. I can do this in no time and I think I will use the rotisserie chicken to make it even easier. Thanks Stacey, I also subscribed to your newsletter. Can’t get too many recipes!
Thanks!
Mary in Decatur
Thanks, Mary! I hope your grandson likes it!
This looks good & filling. I live on my own too but always make enough for 6 people when I prepare a dinner, that way I have plenty to freeze in separate portions for future use. Thanks Stacey
Thanks for being our guest blogger today, Stacey! Love the recipe you gave us and the variations from others. Feels like we got several recipes today! I was fortunate to have been brought up in a family that believed in family meals together every night. Thank you for the reminder that no matter where we are in life, there are no opportunities for ‘do overs’. We may be given chances to ‘do it better next time’, of course. Which is a good thing too, but sadly, not exactly the same. Since regret is such an unpleasant emotion to live with, I’m trying to do it right the first time as often as possible. I’m so glad that you and your wife are making this your goal too!
Looks delish! Going on the menu for next week. Thank you for helping with my meal plan!
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for the GREAT recipe, sounds wonderful!!!! Can’t wait to make it!! My grandkids will love this.
Have a Blessed Day!!
Maryanna
Thanks, Maryanna! I hope they do enjoy it!
Oh wow that looks delicious!
How about regular rice – could it be added uncooked and how much longer would it take? Or perhaps added cooked?
Hi Peggy! I can’t make any kind of guarantee with regular rice. I would guess it would have to be cooked longer but I’m not sure how long. If you’re going to use plain rice, I would cook it separately and leave it out of the casserole altogether and just serve the casserole on top of the cooked rice.
I made this tonight…love how easy it was. It was very good!
Wonderful! I’m so glad you liked it!
I made this tonight…sort-of
I used white corn totillas to make layers and completely forgot the rice…and I added a can of green chillis. The hubby loved it – wants it again and doesn’t want me to change anything. I’m blaming the rice thing on sleep deprivation!
I am LOVING all these variations! Way to get creative, Malinda!
Stacy, thank you for the wonderful recipe! I love the quote too by the way. We always sit down to dinner together. It is our time to reconnect. My daughter is 19 in college and son is 15 and plays baseball so we are busy too. It definately takes planning and sometimes a crockpot or preparation the night before or eating out which sounds like fun but it does get old! **I have question~HOW do you freeze onion? I like the sound of that!
this was great as last night’s dinner, but is even more delicious as today’s lunch! Heated it over a couple of corn tortillas and oh my WORD is it amazing! Thanks for sharing and for the wonderful post. My family of 5 is frantically busy a lot of the time and evenings are crazy- heaps of homework, football, dance class, soccer, basketball. There is always something going on. However, family dinners are our #1 priority whether the 5 of us are sitting around our table to a home cooked meal or in a booth enjoying kids’ night at Chick Fil A. We may be in a rough patch now (my kids “ew” over just about anything I put in front of them that isn’t chicken nuggets or chef boyardi) but we’ll get through and they’ll learn to cherish dinnertime as much as my husband and I do
ps…I’m off to put away some laundry and clean the car (which desperately needs to be done!) so I’m not preoccupied with thoughts of it later on! Boy did that hit home
Just to let you know my husband loved this. He normally doesn’t say one way or the other on my recipes but he let me know that he loved this. Between my husband and daughter, there was no leftovers.
Also thank you for all the apple recipes for me to try.
I just have to say that we LOVED this recipe! I cooked and chopped chicken earlier in the day so at meal time it took me 3 minutes to get it in the oven!! I served it with a salad and white corn chips. My husband (who does not eat leftovers) and I both agreed that it was WONDERFUL reheated the next day! My daughter is away at college and when she comes home for Fall break this is on the menu!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Yum! Yum! Yum!
Wondering if I used a parboiled rice like “Uncle Ben’s”…. how would that affect the results??
Suggestion: Use green onions rather than white onions. Flavor is much lighter and also sprinkle with cilantro just before serving. It gives it an authentic mexican flavor.
DebbieT- I used Knorr’s Mexican style rice, cooked it and added it to the casserole along with the other ingredients before baking. It came out great.
This was great! Made a healthier version with fat free sour cream, healthy request cream of chicken, 2% mexican cheese, fat free low sodium chicken broth, and whole grain brown instant rice. Hubby didn’t even know it was a healthy version until I told him. Definite repeat.
This is so yummy. It is just as comforting as it looks.