Description
Pollo Loco Casserole is a flavorful Mexican-inspired baked dish featuring marinated chicken breasts seared and baked over a seasoned bed of instant brown rice and diced tomatoes with green chiles. Topped with creamy Mexican white cheese dip, this hearty casserole combines spicy and savory flavors perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (12-oz) bottle Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
Rice Mixture
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1¾ cup instant brown rice
Topping
- 1 (8 to 16-oz) container refrigerated Mexican white cheese dip
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a ziplock bag and pour the Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade over them. Seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the chicken with smoky, spicy flavors.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Rice Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken broth, and instant brown rice. Mix well and pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Sear the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and discard the marinade. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 2 minutes per side until lightly browned to lock in juices.
- Assemble the Casserole: Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture evenly in the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165ºF or 74ºC).
- Add Cheese Dip and Serve: Heat the Mexican white cheese dip according to the package directions. Once the casserole is done baking, pour your desired amount of warm cheese dip on top of the chicken before serving to add a creamy and cheesy finish.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) can enhance the flavor further.
- You can substitute the Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade with any chipotle or smoky barbecue marinade if unavailable.
- Instant brown rice cooks quickly when combined with the broth and spices, but ensure the casserole bakes long enough for the rice to fully absorb liquid.
- Feel free to add chopped fresh cilantro or sliced green onions as garnish for added color and freshness.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, consider adding additional chili powder or diced jalapeños to the rice mixture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
