Fiesta Chicken Casserole
53 CommentsUpdated Mar 07, 2026
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My Fiesta Chicken Casserole is a comforting Tex-Mex meal made with tender chicken and rice in a rich, cheesy sauce. Big flavor, no fuss—just set it and let it cook.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into this bold and cheesy Tex-Mex casserole.
- Chicken – Cooks up perfectly tender in the slow cooker.
- Boxed Rice – Use a seasoned rice mix with all its fixings.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, chili powder, and pepper bring the flavor.
- Soup – Cream of chicken soup gives it a creamy base.
- Veggies – Mexicorn, white onion, and jalapeño add texture and spice.
- Cheese – Sharp shredded cheddar adds richness and that gooey finish.
How to Make Fiesta Chicken Casserole
- Season the chicken and layer it with a few flavorful ingredients in your slow cooker.
- Let it cook low and slow while you prep the rice on the stove toward the end.
- Shred the chicken, then stir in the rice, cheese, and a creamy finishing touch.
- Top with more cheese, warm it through, and you’re ready to serve.
Cook’s Notes & Variations
- The rice must be cooked on the stove top – the slow cooker doesn’t cook up rice properly.
- No Spanish rice? Use 4 cups of cooked white rice and double the seasonings.
- Chicken thighs can be used as an alternative to chicken breasts.
- Use pepperjack cheese for a spicy kick.
- If you don’t like heat, use a bell pepper instead of a jalapeno.
How to Serve
- This easy chicken and rice meal has everything you need, just scoop onto plates.
- You can round out the meal by serving with a side of charred flour tortillas or hunks of cornbread.
- You can top the casserole with additional jalapeno, tomato, and sour cream if desired.
Featured Comment
“This is our new family favorite! Everyone in my house ate it without complaining! “
– Katie
Fiesta Chicken Casserole
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ garlic powder
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- 10.5 oz. can cream of chicken soup , don't add water
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 11 oz. can Mexicorn, drained , (this is corn with peppers in it)
- 1 seeded jalapeno, minced
These ingredients are added at the end:
- 6.9 oz. box Zatarain's Spanish Rice, (follow stove-top instructions)
- 14 oz. can diced tomatoes , needed to make the rice
- 1 Tbsp. salted butter, needed to make the rice
- 1 ½ cups water, needed to make the rice
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the pepper, garlic powder and chili powder.
- Spread over the cream of chicken soup. Add the onions, Mexicorn, and jalapeno. (DO NOT ADD RICE, CHEESE OR SOUR CREAM YET!)
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Towards the end of the cooking time start preparing the Zatarain's Spanish Rice in a pan on the stove-top, you will need the diced tomatoes, butter and water to prepare. (If you use a different brand of Spanish rice use the ingredients listed on the box you buy)
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks, add the prepared rice, sour cream and 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Stir. Add remaining cheese on top and place the lid back on.
- Put the slow cooker on to HIGH and cook for an additional 20 minutes to let the flavors come together and to allow the cheese to melt.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes:
Chicken and Gravy, and Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken all offer cozy, comforting flavors perfect for any night of the week.
Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans or Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole are full meals with minimal prep. My Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice is a comfort food dream with tender chicken and more.
For bold flavor, try Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken or Chicken Enchilada Casserole—both rich, saucy, and satisfying.
What do you suggest serving with it Tortillas or Flour Burritos or what?
Thanks!
Tortillas or chips would be great
Do you drain all the canned stuff?
Just the corn, but usually the mexicorn doesn’t have liquid anyway.
Can you cook on high for three hours!
Yes, that should work fine.
I forgot the cream of chicken but had cream of mushroom would like alter the flavor ?
Is this dish real spicy? Wondering if my young kids will be able to eat this.
Hi Christine. I would leave out the jalapeno and serve it diced on top if you want spicy for yourself 🙂
My 3 year old and 1 year old loved it! Not spicy at all, even with the jalapeno. Next time I may even add a little hot sauce or crushed red pepper on top of my serving to add a little kick.
How do I double the recipe?
If you have a big crock pot, double the recipe and cook for the same amount of time. Keep the lid on the entire time.
If this recipe is for a 6-quart or larger crock pot, how much bigger would the crock pot need to be to double the recipe?
Looking back on this recipe I really think you could double it in a 6 quart.
Do you add the canned tomatoes while cooking the rice on the stovetop?
yes 🙂
is it okay to cook the chicken the 6 hours and then the following day finish the dish for the last 20 minutes?
Yes, but if it is cold it will take a bit longer to heat up.
I accidentally put the sour cream in due to rushing ahead of time. Will It ruin the recipe
It should be fine 🙂
Can you freeze this recipe?
I haven’t tried Lori, I don’t see why not!