Southwestern Chicken Casserole
This cheesy BBQ chicken casserole is a total weeknight win. It’s packed with bold flavor and hearty ingredients and takes just minutes to prep. Whip up some instant rice while the casserole bakes, and the whole delicious meal is ready in 35 minutes!
I know you don’t have time on a busy weeknight to mess with fussy meals, and that’s exactly why I’m obsessed with this southwestern chicken casserole. It’s the kind of quick and easy dinner that checks all the boxes: family-friendly, flavorful, and just the right amount of cheesy. With shredded BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, green peppers, and a crunchy fried onion topping, this dump-and-go dinner is pure comfort. You toss it together in minutes, then let the oven do the work. It’s a back-pocket recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat.
Why You’ll Love My Recipe
- Great for using leftover or rotisserie chicken.
- Simple pantry and fridge ingredients – only 7 ingredients!
- One pan for easy clean up.
- Perfect for busy nights, potlucks, or even casual get-togethers.
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
Meal Prep Tip
Meal prepping pulled chicken in the slow cooker is a total game-changer for busy weeknights. And, it makes this simple but flavorful casserole even easier!
For this recipe, you can use pulled chicken or slow cooker BBQ chicken. If you family is a fan of spicy, try slow cooker buffalo shredded chicken.
All of these recipes can be doubled or tripled. I like to freeze them in 2 cup portions so I can take out exactly what I need. Then it’s just mix, dump, and bake!
Ang’s Tips & Recipe Variations
- To avoid a watery casserole, drain your canned corn and black beans very well before adding them. If needed, pat them dry with paper towels.
- If you’re making this ahead of time, I suggest mixing your shredded chicken with a little extra BBQ sauce before assembling to keep it juicy.
- Add the fried onions in the last 5–10 minutes of baking so they stay crispy. If you don’t have these in your pantry, you can substitute tortilla chips on top.
- Because corn is sweet, I prefer using a smoky or spicy BBQ sauce instead of one with added sugar. This ensures the casserole isn’t too sweet.
- Add a little bit of smoky cumin or chili powder for more Southwestern flavor.
How to Make Southwestern Chicken Casserole
Here’s a quick overview – see how easy it is to make?! Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe.
Storage
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To Store: Leftover shredded BBQ chicken casserole should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated throughout.
To Freeze: This is a great recipe to make ahead and freeze. You can assemble the whole thing, but leave the cheese and fried onions off until you’re ready to bake. I like to use an aluminum foil pan so I don’t tie up my baking dishes in the freezer.
First, cover the pan with aluminum foil, then place the whole thing into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Remove all the air and label the bag. This casserole will store well in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To Thaw: Transfer the frozen casserole to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight. Remove it from the bag and bake covered for an extra 20-30 minutes until it’s heated throughout, before adding the cheese and fried onions and baking an additional 15 minutes.
How to Use Leftovers
My niece and nephew love this recipe! My sister sometimes serves these leftovers with salsa on top of tortilla chips as a snack. My brother-in-law and husband are big fans of this on game day!
Serving Suggestions
To keep with the Southwest vibe, serve with a side salad topped with avocado and lime vinaigrette (you can use my Lemon Vinaigrette and substitute fresh lime juice and zest). Our Honey Lime Fruit Salad is another good choice.
This dish is great just as it is, or you can serve it with rice. Cheesy Cornbread, Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuits, and Cheddar Bacon Muffins make a tasty side dish, too. For more side dish ideas, check out this post on what to serve with chicken casserole.
For parties or game day, consider serving Lemon Lime Spritzers or Berry Margaritas and Pineapple Delight for dessert.
Not ready to make this easy chicken casserole recipe yet?
I hope you enjoy every cheesy, smoky bite of this BBQ chicken casserole as much as my family does! Don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating if you give it a try, and be sure to pin it for later (or click the Add to Your Recipe Box button below) so it’s easy to find when you need a quick dinner idea
Southwestern Chicken Casserole
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Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken shredded
- 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn canned or frozen
- 1/2 green pepper finely diced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup french fried onions
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 3-quart or 9×13 casserole pan, and set aside.
- Make the filling for the casserole by seasoning the shredded chicken with salt and pepper, if desired. Then combine the chicken with the black beans, corn, green pepper, and barbecue sauce in a large bowl.4 cups chicken, 1 cup black beans, 1 cup corn, 1/2 green pepper, 1 cup barbecue sauce, kosher salt, black pepper
- Transfer the chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the shredded cheese and cover with aluminum foil (don't smash the foil down or all the cheese will stick to it when it melts). Bake for 30 minutes.1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- Remove the foil and top with fried onions. Bake for 10-15 minutes more until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the top is golden brown.1/2 cup french fried onions
- Let rest for 5 minutesw before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or chives, if desired.
Nutrition
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This is fantastic-so much so that I’ve already made it twice in the last month. Will definitely keep this in the rotation!
Kelly this is seriously one of my faves, too. And the leftovers are so good!