Description
This Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. It combines tender shredded chicken with black beans, sweet corn, diced green pepper, tangy barbecue sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese, all baked to perfection and topped with crispy French fried onions and fresh cilantro for a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken, shredded
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sweet kernel 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
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, sweet corn, diced green pepper, barbecue sauce, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
- Add final toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top, and place back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the onions.
- Garnish and serve: After baking, sprinkle the chopped cilantro over the casserole for a fresh flavor, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut in shredding the chicken.
- Feel free to substitute black beans with pinto or kidney beans if desired.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce based on your preferred level of tanginess.
- Crispy French fried onions add texture but can be omitted for a lighter version.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that the barbecue sauce and fried onions are certified gluten-free.
