Tex Mex Chipotle Chicken Casserole

I love a good casserole; and not just for casual weeknight dining but for bringing to gatherings like potlucks or casual dinner parties. Better still, casseroles provide opportunity to cook from the pantry - which during the winter month's is one of my favourite pursuits.

So join me in the kitchen today as I take salsa, chipotle chilies, sour cream, chicken and rice and turn them into something delicious.

After all, there's nothing quite so comforting as an old fashioned casserole bubbling over with cheese and love!

Tex Mex Chipotle Chicken Casserole
For printable recipe click HERE

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp salsa
• 1 tbsp chili powder 
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2-3 canned chipotles with sauce (more if you want the dish spicier) 
• 2 cups shredded cheese like sharp cheddar or Monteray Jack
• 1 cup crushed tortilla chips

Directions

1. Place rice, salsa, chili powder and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Brush the chicken breast halves with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic. Bake in a 350 oven for app 40 minutes until the chicken breasts are cooked through. Cool the chicken slightly and cut into 2 inch slices.
4. Place the sour cream and chipotle peppers in a blender and blend until smooth. Begin with 1 pepper and taste, add more peppers to suit the amount of heat you prefer.
5. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
6. When rice is cooked, spoon it onto the bottom of the dish. Place the sliced chicken over top.
7. Pour the chipotle sour cream over top, cover with the shredded cheese, and top with the crushed tortillas.
8. Bake 30- 40 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is golden.
9. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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Author:

Lyndsay Wells is a professional trainer, writer, and program developer with a passion for food and cooking. She is an award winning recipe developer, and a website ambassador for Kraft Foods Canada. Lyndsay believes cooking should be approachable and easy and has great tips and ideas for putting together sophisticated looking dishes that cooks of all levels can accomplish.

Visit her daily on her blog, The Kitchen Witch or on her YouTube Channel, CHARMED With The Kitchen Witch.