Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

casserole essentials: spicy chicken & beef w/ rice

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

Came up with this recipe in the wee hours of the morning. I was going for a hardy dish that will fill you up; while sticking to things most folks would find in their pantries, fridges, and freezers. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 40 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For casserole essentials: spicy chicken & beef w/ rice

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • THE BASE
  • 2 - 3 slice
    bacon, diced
  • 1 md
    yellow onion, diced
  • 2 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1 c
    rice, uncooked
  • DRY SEASONINGS
  • 1 Tbsp
    taco or italian seasoning, your choice
  • 2 tsp
    ancho chili powder
  • 1 tsp
    ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp
    white pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
  • ADDITIONAL ITEMS
  • 1 1/2 c
    vegetable stock, not broth
  • 15 oz
    diced tomatoes, 1 can, with juice
  • 4 oz
    mild diced green chilies, 1 small can, drained
  • 10 oz
    cooked, shredded beef
  • 6 oz
    cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1 1/2 c
    cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/2 c
    monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded
  • 2 Tbsp
    lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • salt, kosher variety, fine grind, to taste
  • OPTIONAL ADD INS
  • sliced black olives, cooked in the dish, and for topping
  • beans (cooked) such as black or red
  • OPTIONAL GARNISH ITEMS
  • fresh tomato, diced
  • cilantro, freshly chopped
  • sour cream

How To Make casserole essentials: spicy chicken & beef w/ rice

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    To make this recipe, you will need a good size skillet, or pot with a lid.
  • 3
    Taco/Italian Seasonings There are a lot of good taco seasonings out there; they come in mild, medium, hot, and fiery. If you have a favorite, please use it. And, the same is true of Italian seasonings. Here are two of my favorites: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/spicy-beef-taco-seasoning.html?r=10 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/italian-essentials-aunt-josephine-s-seasoning-mix.html?r=2
  • 4
    Rice The choice of rice is up to you. For example, brown rice is more nutritious than white; however, it will get mushy if reheated, so I usually stick to long-grain white rice for things like casseroles. For this recipe I am using arborio rice.
  • 5
    The Beef and Chicken My reasoning for using shredded beef and chicken is because that is something I had on hand. You could leave out the chicken and/or use ground beef, cut into bite-size cubes; maybe pork?
  • 6
    How ‘Bout Some Cheese Please I just love the combination of a sharp cheddar combined with the kick of some Monterey Jack, but have some fun with it, and choose what you have on hand. Freshly grated, if at all possible.
  • 7
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • 8
    Add the chopped bacon to a skillet over medium heat.
  • 9
    Cook until the bacon has rendered its fat, and begins to crisp, about 5 – 7 minutes.
  • 10
    Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve.
  • 11
    Add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease, and cook until softened, about 3 – 5 minutes.
  • 12
    If your bacon was really lean, you might need to add a bit of oil to pan.
  • 13
    Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
  • 14
    Toss in the rice and stir for 2 minutes.
  • 15
    Add all the dry spices and stir for 2 minutes.
  • 16
    Add the vegetable stock and stir to combine for 2 minutes.
  • 17
    Add the tomatoes and chilies and stir to combine for 2 minutes.
  • 18
    Add the shredded beef, chicken, and reserved bacon, then stir and bring up to a simmer.
  • 19
    Simmer for 15 - 18 minutes, covered, occasionally stirring, until the rice is tender.
  • 20
    As the casserole is simmering do a tasting for proper seasoning, adding salt, or additional spices as needed.
  • 21
    Take off the heat, stir in the lime juice, and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
  • So yummy
    22
    Cover and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese, about 3 – 4 minutes.
  • 23
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So yummy
    24
    I like to serve this family style by putting out some bowls, spoons, and napkins. Place the casserole on a trivet, and put out sides: diced tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, etc. Then stand back and let your guests have at it. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    25
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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