Pollo Loco Casserole – baked Mexican chicken and rice casserole. This is seriously the BEST!!! I’ve made this once a week for a month and can’t get enough of it!!! Diced tomatoes and green chiles, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken broth, instant brown rice, chicken breast, Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade and white cheese dip. I wanted to lick my plate this was so good! Ready to eat in about 30 minutes!
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Pin This RecipeStop what you are doing and go get the ingredients to make this Pollo Loco Casserole. It is the BEST! It is inspired by my grilled Pollo Loco recipe from way back in 2011. I wanted a baked version for cooler months and people that don’t grill. This Pollo Loco Casserole has all the flavors of the original in an easy one pan meal!
I marinated the chicken in Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade. I find it at Publix. If you can’t find it, you can substitute Lawry’s Mesquite marinade. I let the chicken marinate at least 30 minutes before quickly searing it in the skillet. You don’t have to sear the chicken, I just think it looks more appetizing with a little color on it.
Words cannot express how much I enjoyed this casserole. I’ve made it several times over the past few months, and I just can’t get enough of it. I love that everything cooks in the same pan and is ready in about 30 minutes.
This chicken is packed full of flavor, the rice is easy and delicious and the cheese dip on top makes the dish!!! Feel free to garnish the chicken with some diced tomatoes and cilantro.
Just a note about the ingredients in this recipe – I’ve only made the recipe as written. I have only used instant brown rice. If you are using instant white, regular white or brown rice, you will need to adjust the baking time and possibly the liquid in the dish.
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Pollo Loco Casserole
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (12-oz) bottle Lawry’s Baja Chipotle marinade
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1¾ cup instant brown rice
- 1 (8 to 16-oz) container refrigerated Mexican white cheese dip
Instructions:
- Place chicken in ziplock bag. Pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine diced tomatoes and green chilies, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken broth and instant brown rice. Pour into prepared pan.
- Remove chicken from marinade. Discard marinade. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 2 minutes per side.
- Place chicken on top of rice.
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Heat cheese dip according to package directions. Pour desired amount on top of chicken before serving.
Notes:
- Here is the link to the marinades on Walmart:
- Lawry’s Marinade Baja Chipotle:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Baja-Chipotle-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/1577451417 - Lawry’s Marinade Mesquite Lime:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lawry-s-Marinade-Mesquite-Lime-12-fl-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10319654
- Lawry’s Marinade Baja Chipotle:
- If you don’t want to order the Lawry’s marinades online or can’t find them in the store, here are a few of alternative products:
- McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade Mix:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/McCormick-Grill-Mates-Mesquite-Marinade-Mix-1-06-oz-Cooking-Sauces-Marinades/10308846 - G Hughes Sugar Free Smoky Mesquite Marinade:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/G-Hughes-Sugar-Free-Smoky-Mesquite-Marinade-12-oz/986300358 - J.L. Kraft Marinade-In-A-Bag Smoky Mesquite Liquid Marinade:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-L-Kraft-Marinade-In-A-Bag-Smoky-Mesquite-Liquid-Marinade-12-oz-Bag/575751289
- McCormick Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade Mix:
- I use Gordo’s or Pancho’s White Queso dip. I find it in the refrigerated cheese section at the store.
Steph
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Can this be prepped the night before (or the morning of)?
I don’t know how the rice will do soaking all night or day. You could sear the chicken and mix everything except the rice in a bowl and stir in the rice before baking.
Has anyone ever tried freezing this? Wonder if it would fresze well
Absolutely fabulous! Entire family loved this, even the picky ones! Will definitely make again.
This looks delish! Where do you find the white mexican cheese dip? Can you make it?
I buy it in the refrigerated cheese section.
Has anyone used regular white rice and if so did you / how did you alter this recipe?? It’s the ONLY thing holding me back and I really want to try it!
I used regular white rice. Once the chicken was cooked, I put that on a plate in the microwave to keep warm. Then, I poured more chicken broth into my 9×13, covered with foil and put back in the oven fir about another 15-20 minutes. Rice was cooked and chicken was juicy without being overcooked.