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This Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole (or Mexican Turkey & Rice Casserole) takes 45 minutes to make and is a family favorite! Great fresh out of the oven or as leftovers the next day!

 

 

One of my goals this year is to create a slew of recipes using leftovers.

It’s a tall order, but I feel I’m up for the challenge.

I’d like to have a resource of recipes re-purposing leftover from Holiday or every day meals here on the website.

These recipes would include leftover mashed potatoes, turkey and also cranberry sauce.

 

 

Rather than tossing each of these ingredients after a few days for lack of ways to use them, I hope to become a source for you in how to re-purpose them.

This recipe is a great way to use up a leftover rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.

 

 

My family cannot eat a whole chicken or turkey in one sitting because we ALWAYS have leftovers.

Finding ways to reuse those leftovers can be a daunting task, however I am up for the challenge!

This Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole (or Mexican Turkey & Rice Casserole) is a dish that our entire family enjoyed.

 

 

My husband liked it, my kids liked it and I liked it the day of and as leftovers!

As you may have noticed, I’m a fan of Mexican inspired dishes.

 

 

They tend to be one of my favorite genre’s of food.

Aside from how tasty Mexican food is, I love how versatile it is because you can adapt it to your own tastes without ruining the recipe!

Almost every Mexican dish can be adapted to what I’ve got on hand and what we enjoy eating.

 

 

I love how I can make my dishes spicy simply with the addition of spicy taco seasoning or even diced Jalapenos.

However, if spicy isn’t your cup of tea, then go mild with green chilies and mild seasoning.

 

 

And don’t forget the mix ins.

Green chilies, black beans, corn, and jalapenos are all easy to add or leave out.

No matter what you add in, this Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole (or Turkey!) will taste great.

 

 

What surprised me the most is that my kids both enjoyed it.

Rice has been a tricky food item in our house.

 

 

As a toddler my daughter LOVED rice.

It was a staple in our house.

However, one day she declared rice to be gross and has refused to eat it since.

 

 

Over the years, we’ve not given up on trying to get her to eat it again.

Just this month – THIS MONTH – she decided to try it again … and liked it!!

Pause for the choir of Heavenly Angels singing right now!

 

 

My daughter liking rice again results in our dinner options becoming a bit more broad!

Anyone with young kids will understand what a big deal this is.

I love rice and cook with it fairly regularly and so my daughter liking it again is a BIG DEAL.

 

 

With this new food addition to our approved eating list, we can now enjoy Chicken & Rice again!

Because of this, rather than the old school version I decided to kick it up a notch with this Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole.

I’m glad I did because it was a hit with my kids and hopefully will be with yours too!

 

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