Go ahead and just add this one to the lineup of “repeat recipes”! This one’s a winner. It is easy as can be (dump everything in a pan and bake), healthy, and oh so delicious! And, if you happen to have any leftovers (doubtful), there are a lot of ways to use them! Clocking in at number 10 out of my “52 days of dinner” of 2021, this Tex-Mex smothered chicken bake will please everyone at your table!
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A Beginner’s Favorite
This recipe is a special one for me. It was an experiment in my first apartment. Then, it was a trusted repeat as a recent college grad and first year teacher. Years later, it was a recipe that chauffeured me into a new era of cooking for someone other than myself as a newlywed. Now, it is a familiar comfort, a convenient “easy dinner” solution, and a trusted family favorite!
If I had to choose a favorite type of food, it would without question be Mexican. It’s my mom’s favorite type of food and it inspired a majority of our meals growing up. Between snacking on my mom’s homemade salsa and frequenting Mexican restaurants for every somewhat special occasion (or lazy takeout night), you could say my tongue grew up south of the border! I LOVED Mexican food and I thought I had it all figured out…
…Until I moved to Texas. Still not as good as the real stuff I’m sure, but to my naïve taste buds, it was as if I could see color for the first time. Come to find out, this type of cuisine had it’s own title: Tex-Mex. A blend of the simple flavors I knew and loved with a subtle lacing of the real thing, Tex-Mex quickly became my choice cuisine.
Tex-Mex Forever
Now a returned Kansas resident, my love for Tex-Mex still runs deep. If I’m not making a street taco bar, I’m whipping up this Tex-Mex Smothered Chicken Bake. In this recipe, you’ll find a marriage of many of my favorite Tex-Mex flavors. For Instance, the roasted corn and chilies. Something I came to love down South was street corn, so I love an excuse to incorporate this into my Tex-Mex inspired recipes!
Let’s Talk Garnish…
The accessories of a recipe, a garnish can take a meal to a whole new level! They are not necessary, but they sure add some magic! There are 2 garnishes I have long served over this Tex-Mex Smothered Chicken Bake. Those garnishes are:
- Cilantro
- Homemade Avocado Cream Sauce
The first requires no explanation, but the second is something I’m excited to share with you! In this recipe, I’ve included the simple recipe for my avocado cream drizzle. This serves as the perfect dipping agent and adds a beautiful appeal to the finished plate!
The avocado cream sauce is not exclusive to this recipe, I actually make it for nearly all of my Tex-Mex inspired dishes! For instance, it is a perfect compliment to any taco bar. It can be easily manipulated to meet your desired consistency landing it anywhere between a fluffy dip and a runny drizzle, so you can make it however you like it. Along with this, the Greek yogurt base places it in that “healthy” category so you can feel good about piling on the seconds!
Substitutions for the Tex-Mex Smothered Chicken Bake
Like most of my recipes, this meal is highly varietal. You can omit or add a plethora ingredients to meet the unique preferences of the people at your table! For example, the toppings listed in the recipe can be easily swapped with others like them. Peppers, for instance, can be used interchangeably. Additionally, If you don’t have a can of chopped green chilies or diced tomatoes, simply use whatever salsa you have lurking in your fridge. Finally, the cheese – my recipe calls for a mixed Mexican cheese blend, but any kind of mixed cheese or mozzarella would pair nicely!
About the Rice… It is not necessary if you don’t have any on hand. I like to have it to round out the meal, but you can easily omit the rice and place the chicken in a buttered pan instead – you may just have some excess liquid at the bottom! I used to prefer this and would serve it with a side of roasted sweet potatoes!
Looking For More?
I hope you’ll give this smothered chicken bake a try this week! I can almost guarantee it will be a hit with everyone at your table! If you do end up giving this one a try, I hope you’ll share it with me on Instagram – tag me @kelsiebrownblog so I can see your creation! And if you’re looking for some more mexican-inspired dinner recipes, check out my crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup, Verde Chicken street tacos, and my Honey Sriracha Lettuce Wraps.
Tex-Mex Smothered Chicken Bake
Tex-Mex Smothered Chicken Bake
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (leave whole or cut in half for a quicker cook time)
- 1 can diced roasted tomatoes
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1 C roasted corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/4 red onion
- 1 bag instant brown rice
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 C Mexican Mixed Cheese Blend
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- to taste salt
Avocado Crema
- 1 Avocado
- 1/2 C plain greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 2 Tbsp water
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer brown rice in the bottom. Pat chicken dry and nestle on top of the brown rice (optional step - cut chicken breasts in half to save cook time). Season chicken with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, toss all produce (pepper, corn, onion, and beans, tomatoes, and chilies) with lime juice and a hint of salt.
- Spoon the veggie and bean mixture over the top of the chicken and rice, covering all chicken and wedging between/around them.
- Bake at 375 for 55-65 minutes (about 45 minutes for cut in half chicken breasts). When chicken is cooked through, top with cheese and cook another 5-10 minutes to melt.
- Serve smothered chicken and rice with a garnish of cilantro, avocado, and my homemade light avocado cream sauce for dipping (or drizzling)!
Avocado Crema
- In a bowl, mash avocado until mostly smooth. Stir in greek yogurt, water, lime. Add more water to desired consistency (more water takes it from a fluffy dipping sauce to a drizzle)
- Once your desired consistency is reached, add salt/pepepr to taste! Serve with chicken as a dip or as a drizzle over the top!
Nutrition
PS – my Perfect Gooey Chocolate chip cookies would me a great dessert!
With Love,
Kelsie
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