I'm still all about these easy, one dish dinners. This one is very similar to the ultra popular Taco Chicken Bowls, but it's made in the oven and takes about an hour, as opposed to eight in a slow cooker. The directions go something like this: dump, stir, cover, cook, eat, be happy.

One little jar of salsa adds so much flavor to this dish that I almost feel like it's cheating and the little bit of cheddar on top really made it rich and satisfying. Next time I might even try a little dollop of sour cream! Either way, this recipe was a no brainer to make and a definite tummy pleaser!

I used a couple Budget Bytes tricks to make it more affordable. As usual, I used reconstituted bouillon for the broth instead of canned chicken broth. I've also been buying big 2lb. bags of shredded cheese and then dividing them into four freezer bags (2 cups each, the same size as normal bags of shredded cheese) and this really saves me a lot. Then there's the chicken. I still only buy my chicken breasts on sale. I can usually get them for $1.99/lb. (sometimes less!) if I really keep an eye out. I know not everyone will be able to find this deal, but it's worth mentioning and looking out for!

Salsa Chicken Casserole

Total Recipe cost: $8.58
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Cost per serving: $1.43
Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 1 hr. Total: 1 hr. 5 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
1 cup	uncooked rice	$0.33
1 cup	frozen corn kernels (thawed)	$0.52
1 (15 oz.) can	black beans	$1.39
1 (16 oz.) jar	salsa	$1.99
1 cup	chicken broth	$0.15
1/2 Tbsp	chili powder	$0.10
1/2 tsp	oregano	$0.03
2 large (1.5 lbs.)	chicken breasts	$2.99
1 cup	shredded cheddar cheese	$0.94
2 whole	green onions, sliced	$0.17
TOTAL		$8.58

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Drain and briefly rinse the black beans. Add the dry rice, black beans, corn, salsa, chicken broth, chili powder, and oregano to an 8x8 inch casserole dish. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

STEP 2: Cut the chicken breasts into three pieces each. Push the chicken pieces down into the rice salsa mixture in the casserole dish. Try to push them down as far into the liquid as they'll go. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil. Bake for one hour.

STEP 3: Take the casserole dish out of the oven, test the rice with a fork to make sure it is tender. If it is not, recover the dish, return it to the oven, and bake for 10-15 minutes more. When the rice is tender, sprinkle the cheese over top and return the casserole to the oven for a few minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Add the sliced green onions on top after baking and serve hot.

NOTE: If your chicken and frozen corn are still partially frozen, the casserole will take longer to cook. So, make sure they're both thawed before hand.

Step By Step Photos

Add the rice, beans, corn, and salsa to an 8x8 casserole dish. BUT, drain and rinse the beans first and thaw the corn first. I didn't thaw my corn and it slowed my casserole down.


Add a cup of chicken broth to give the rice enough liquid to cook in (it will also get some liquid from the salsa). I decided after the fact to add a little extra chili powder and oregano, but you don't have to stir the other ingredients together first. Stir those spices right in.


Cut each chicken breast into three pieces. My chicken was still partially frozen (I forgot to put it in the fridge the night before). If it was completely thawed, I would have flattened these pieces out a little bit more.


Push the chicken pieces down into the rice mixture - probably more so than I did here (I learn as I go, too).


Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil to hold all the steam in, and bake it in a preheated 375 degree oven for one hour. After an hour, use a fork to test some of the rice and make sure that it's tender. If it's not, simply recover the dish and bake a little bit longer (10-15 minutes). If your chicken and corn were thawed (unlike mine), you probably won't need to put it back in the oven.


Once you know the rice is fully cooked, sprinkle some cheese over top and pop it back in the oven for just a few more minutes to melt the cheese. Then, when it comes out, add the sliced green onions on top. The end!


Want to look closer? Why not! nom.


Easy dinners make me happy.