Creamy Chicken, Black Bean, and Corn Enchilada Bake
Savor the delightful flavors of our Creamy Chicken, Black Bean, and Corn Enchilada Bake, an easy-to-make casserole that brings a fiesta to your dining table! This wholesome dish combines tender pieces of chicken breast, hearty black beans, and sweet corn layered with a rich homemade enchilada sauce. Perfectly baked until bubbly and topped with melty fat-free cheddar cheese, it's not just delicious but also wonderfully satisfying. Serve it as a family dinner or at your next gathering, and watch it disappear in minutes! Everyone will love the balance of flavors and the creamy texture that makes this casserole a comforting favorite.
N/A
Servings
293
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry enchilada mix
1 2/3 ounces (As per package instructions.)
Canned tomato paste
6 ounces (No preparation needed.)
Water
8 cups, divided (Measured.)
Canola oil
2 tablespoons (No preparation needed.)
Onion, chopped
1 cup (Chopped.)
Green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Garlic clove
1 (Minced.)
Yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups (Measured.)
Nonstick cooking spray
1 spray (For greasing the baking dish.)
Canned black beans
15 ounces (Drained and rinsed.)
Canned corn
15 ounces (Drained and rinsed.)
Cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 cups (Cooked and diced.)
Fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups (Shredded.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, prepare the enchilada sauce according to the package directions, mixing the dry enchilada mix with the tomato paste and 3 cups of water to yield 3 cups of sauce.
2
In a large saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, green peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant. Remove 1 cup of this mixture and place it in a large mixing bowl; set it aside.
3
To the remaining saucepan with the onion mixture, stir in 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal with the remaining 2 cups of water until well-mixed. Gradually pour the cornmeal mixture into the boiling water-onion mixture, stirring constantly over low heat until it thickens, which should take about 4 to 6 minutes.
4
Spray a 9x13 inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread the thickened cornmeal mixture across the bottom of the dish to form a crust.
5
In the reserved onion mixture bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans, corn, and diced cooked chicken. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
6
Layer half of the prepared enchilada sauce over the cornmeal layer. Next, evenly spoon the bean mixture over the sauce. Drizzle the remaining enchilada sauce on top, ensuring it covers all areas. Lastly, sprinkle the shredded fat-free cheddar cheese generously over the top.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once done, let it cool slightly before slicing into 8 portions to serve.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
43g
Carbs
17g
Protein
8g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy Chicken, Black Bean, and Corn Enchilada Bake?
It is a savory casserole that combines chicken breast, black beans, and sweet corn with a homemade enchilada sauce over a thickened cornmeal crust.
What are the primary ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include cooked chicken breast, canned black beans, canned corn, yellow cornmeal, and fat-free cheddar cheese.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 293 calories.
Is this enchilada bake gluten-free?
Yes, based on the recipe tags, this dish is considered gluten-free.
How long does it take to bake?
The dish should be baked for about 45 minutes until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
What oven temperature is needed?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 8 portions.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 and 1/2 cups of shredded fat-free cheddar cheese.
How is the bottom crust of the casserole made?
It is made by cooking yellow cornmeal with water and an onion mixture until thickened, then spreading it in the baking dish.
What type of chicken should I use?
Use 2 cups of cooked, diced, boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Do I need to use canned corn and black beans?
Yes, the recipe specifies 15 ounces each of canned black beans and canned corn.
What size baking dish is required for this recipe?
A 9x13 inch glass baking dish is required.
How much fat is in one serving of this bake?
There are 4g of fat per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 17g of protein.
How much fiber is in the Creamy Chicken Enchilada Bake?
There are 8g of fiber in each serving.
Should the black beans be rinsed before use?
Yes, the black beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the mixture.
Which vegetables are sautéed in the beginning?
You should sauté chopped onions, green peppers, and minced garlic.
How do you prepare the homemade enchilada sauce?
Mix the dry enchilada mix with 6 ounces of tomato paste and 3 cups of water.
What kind of oil is used for cooking the vegetables?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of canola oil.
How many carbohydrates are in each portion?
There are 43g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there much sugar in this dish?
No, there are only 2g of sugar per serving.
How long should the onions and peppers be sautéed?
Sauté them for approximately 5 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant.
What type of cornmeal is best for the crust?
Yellow cornmeal is used to create the crust.
Can I substitute the fat-free cheese with regular cheese?
While the recipe specifies fat-free cheddar for nutritional balance, you can use regular cheese if you prefer.
Does the chicken need to be pre-cooked?
Yes, the recipe requires pre-cooked chicken that is diced before assembly.
How much water is used in the entire recipe?
The recipe uses a total of 8 cups of water, divided between the sauce and the cornmeal crust.
Can I use other types of peppers instead of green?
Yes, you can substitute green peppers with red, yellow, or orange peppers if desired.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic clove should be minced before sautéing.
Is it necessary to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should spray the dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Is this recipe considered a healthy dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy dinner and contains wholesome ingredients like beans, corn, and lean chicken.