Tex Mex Chicken and Lentil Casserole with veggies, southwest spices, green lentils, and seasoned chicken. This cheesy baked dish is full of flavor and family approved.

If you love lentils, you might also like this chicken lentil soup and green lentil curry.

Chicken lentil casserole cut into eight slices in a baking dish.

I have updated this reader favorite chicken lentil casserole recipe to make it better! The flavors are all the same but I have shortened the list of ingredients to make things easy for you. Also lentils come out more firm and casserole is less watery! Hooray!

Chicken and lentils is one of my favorite healthier comfort meals to make at the end of a busy week, it’s been in high rotation for years and makes delicious leftovers. Pair it with a creamy salad and it’s bound to find a spot on your winter rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Balanced meal: My rule of thumb for a healthy casserole is complex carbs in moderation, more lean protein and veggies, and keep cheese to reasonable amounts.
  • Healthier casserole: Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber and complex carbs. Combined with chicken and vegetables, and you have one powerhouse meal.
  • Simple ingredients: All ingredients fall into the kitchen staple category, and budget friendly.
  • Cleans out pantry and fridge: Cooking casseroles at home is a fun and creative way to use up what you have on hand. Change up flavor, texture, and color by switching vegetables and spices.
  • Versatile: This chicken and lentil recipe is the definition of versatility. It’s an easy oven to table recipe, make ahead for meal prep and enjoy throughout the week for lunch or dinner, it’s a crowd pleaser, and freezer friendly. You can even omit the chicken for a meatless dish.

Ingredients for Tex Mex Chicken and Lentil Casserole

The list of ingredients might seem long but really they are mostly spices that repeat themselves. I just broke down the chicken and lentils casserole recipe nicely for you.

Chicken breasts, green lentils, corn, cheese, broth, garlic, diced tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, diced green chilies, cilantro, taco seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper.
  • Green lentils: Uncooked lentils will need to be rinsed and drained. Brown lentils are the best substitute if you do not have green lentils.
  • Chicken broth: I wanted to add lots of flavor, so I used low sodium chicken broth instead of water. Vegetable broth would work great too.
  • Chicken: I like using boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs work just as well. You’ll want to chop them into bite size pieces.
  • Aromatics: Fresh garlic cloves and onion.
  • Bell peppers: You’ll need 2 large peppers chopped. I had yellow pepper and red bell pepper on hand, use what you have.
  • Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes helps create the sauce while adding acidity and texture. I always recommend low sodium to help control sodium levels.
  • Corn: Frozen corn or corn drained from a can.
  • Green chilies: A small 4 ounces can of diced green chilies for a touch of heat.
  • Cheese: Shredded Tex Mex or Colby Jack cheese.
  • Spices: A combination of cumin, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper gives this dish its Tex Mex flavor.
  • Oil: You’ll need a bit of oil for sautéing the vegetables and chicken, olive oil or avocado oil are my go-to.
  • Cilantro: Optional garnish, but fresh cilantro adds the perfect pop of color and flavor.

How to Make Chicken and Lentil Casserole

Here’s a quick overview how to make this chicken lentil casserole. Cook lentils, sauté chicken and veggies, combine and bake. It’s very simple!

There is a recipe card below with full instructions.

Step by step process how to cook lentils and chicken for the casserole.
  • Cook lentils: To a medium pot, add lentils, chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Set aside.
  • Cook chicken: While your lentils simmer, heat a large skillet on high heat and add oil to coat. Next, add cubed chicken, cumin, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and cook for 6-7 minutes. Halfway through, drain liquid into a large bowl. Then transfer browned chicken into the same large bowl and set aside.
  • Prep your oven: Preheat oven to 375 F.
Step by step process how to mix and bake chicken and lentils casserole with cheese.
  • Sauté vegetables: Heat the same skillet on medium high heat and add oil. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell peppers with taco seasoning, cumin, and salt for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Combine: Transfer sautéed veggies to the bowl with chicken, then add cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, corn, 1/2 cup cheese, diced green chilies, taco seasoning and 1/2 cup cilantro. Mix gently with a spatula.
  • Bake: Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish and gently press until leveled. Place in the oven uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese has melted.
  • Rest and serve: Cover casserole with foil and let it stand for 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Tips for Best Results

Here are some tips I’ve learned from my many, many times of making chicken and lentils.

  • Pre-cooking lentils: Rinse them first and do not soak. We want to cook them but not completely, so they still soak up the liquid and flavors during baking as a casserole. After pre cooking, lentils should still be firm and if there is any liquid at the bottom of the pot, drain it.
  • Save liquid from chicken: During sautéing most store-bought chicken releases water, some more and some less. Drain it into the bowl in which you will be mixing all casserole ingredients and keep cooking chicken until it is a little bit golden brown. Your chicken will be full of flavor!
  • If using other lentils: The baking time and texture can vary, so keep an eye on the casserole.
  • Bake uncovered: Leaving your casserole uncovered allows the steam to escape and therefore less liquid, you don’t want your casserole soupy. Baking uncovered also promotes browning and crisping.
  • Let casserole stand before slicing: Really you could eat it right away but it’s not ideal. You want your casserole to sit, the ingredients to marry each other and soak up the juices. Then it’s the best!

What Are the Best Lentils to Use?

You can use green lentils or brown lentils, they are similar with a few differences. Green lentils have a slightly more peppery flavor and retain their shape when cooking, making them perfect for this recipe. However brown lentils work too, they contain slightly higher levels of fiber, have an earthy taste, and need less time to cook.

You can also use French lentils or Puy lentils. French lentils are a variety of green lentils that are smaller in size with a darker hue, and have a nutty and peppery, slightly earthy flavor. They hold their shape better than any other type of lentil and don’t turn to mush.

Then you have Puy lentils which are French lentils grown in the Puy region of central France. Because they are grown in a distinct place the taste is more peppery.

You can also use red lentils but casserole will come out more mushy as red lentils fall apart more. I also recommend to pre-cook red lentils only for 10 minutes.

Variations

Here are some creative ways to make this casserole your own.

  • Other vegetables: Sauté mushrooms and zucchini with the bell peppers. You could also add right into the casserole as a mix-in up to 1 cup of chopped cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, sweet potato, peas, green beans or celery.
  • Add leafy greens: Spinach, kale, collard greens, or Swiss chard.
  • Make vegetarian: Omit chicken and use vegetable broth for a deliciously filling vegetarian recipe.
  • Use other spices: Instead of taco seasoning use chili powder to taste or cayenne pepper for more heat.
  • Omit diced green chilies: Use chopped seeded jalapeno or poblano peppers instead, or omit and use more dried spices with heat.
  • If not a fan of cilantro: I love cilantro but I know it’s not for everyone, you can omit or use fresh parsley instead.
  • Lime: Squeeze lime juice on top of finished casserole for an extra burst of flavor.
Chicken and lentils casserole served on a plate with a fork.

What Goes Well with Chicken and Lentils?

Casseroles are thought to be an all-in-one-meal, but there are tons of perfect side dishes to serve alongside it.

Can I Make It Ahead?

Yes, you can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer.

1-2 days ahead: You can keep casserole mixture in a bowl or in a baking dish covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes on a counter, then bake as per recipe.

As a freezer meal: Assemble, tightly wrap with plastic and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as per instructions plus 5 minutes.

How to Store

Store: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for 3 months.

FAQs

Do I have to soak the lentils?

No, you don’t have to soak the lentils. In fact, you need to use unsoaked lentils for this recipe. If you soak the lentils, the liquid ratio and cooking time will be off.

Should lentils be firm or soft after pre-cooking?

Lentils should be a bit firm, they shouldn’t be fully cooked.

What if there is any excess liquid with lentils?

There shouldn’t be much liquid left after cooking the lentils but if any, drain it.

Can I use cooked lentils or leftover lentils?

Yes, feel free to use store-bought cooked lentils or canned lentils (drained), or any leftovers work too. You will need about 3 – 3.5 cups cooked lentils.

More Lentil Recipes to Try

Chicken lentil casserole with corn, bell pepper and cheese.
Chicken and lentils casserole served on a plate with a fork.

Tex Mex Chicken and Lentil Casserole

Tex Mex Chicken and Lentil Casserole with veggies, southwest spices, green lentils, and chicken. It's full of flavor and family approved.
4.82 from 27 votes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 443
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients  

For Lentils:

  • 1 1/2 cup green lentils uncooked, rinsed & drained
  • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

For Chicken:

For Vegetables:

Other Add-Ins:

  • 14 ounces can diced tomatoes low sodium
  • 2 cups corn frozen or canned (drained)
  • 2 cups Tex Mex or Colby Jack cheese shredded & divided
  • 4 ounces can diced green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning low sodium
  • 1 cup cilantro chopped & divided

Instructions 

  • In a medium pot, combine lentils, chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile, preheat large skillet on high heat and add oil. Add chicken, cumin, taco seasoning, salt, pepper and cook for 6-7 minutes, draining liquid into a large bowl halfway through and stirring occasionally. Transfer chicken to same large bowl and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Return skillet to medium-high heat and add oil. Add onion, garlic, bell peppers, taco seasoning, cumin, salt and cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  • Transfer to the bowl with chicken along with cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, corn, 1/2 cup cheese, diced green chilies, taco seasoning and 1/2 cup cilantro. Mix gently with spatula enough to combine.
  • Transfer mixture to a 9 x 13 ovenproof baking dish and level/press gently with spatula. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Remove casserole from the oven, cover with foil and let stand for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with remaining cilantro, cut into 8 slices and serve hot.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze: In an airtight container up to 3 months.
  • Meal prep: Assemble, tightly wrap with plastic and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as per instructions plus 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 506mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 6g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

5 Secrets to Easy Healthy Dinners

Plus sign up for weekly emails with recipes to make your cooking stress free, delicious and healthy.

About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

Pin this recipe now to save it for later

Pin Recipe

You may also like

Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Another winner for the fall and winter season!
    Upped the spice factor with smoky cumin and cayenne. Who knew lentils could be so great!?! Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    This is probably my favorite casserole (and I make a lot of casseroles). I always make it exactly as the recipe is written. My whole family, even my picky kids, love it. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!

  3. 4 stars
    This was quite good! Certainly a more healthy alternative to other Mexican style casseroles as well. I only made one substitution: I didn’t have diced tomatoes or jalapeños so I added a jar of salsa-would use it again! Was 9 Weight Watchers points for me which was great!

  4. 5 stars
    Okay so I made this recipe exactly how it is written except that I used taco seasoning instead of just cumin. SO fantastic!! I had no idea how much of it there was, I made it for one.. still ended up freezing some but eating it all within two weeks! I love it. Great recipe 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    My husband never need know this is a pretty healthy recipe. He loved it! I made the beans in my Instant Pot. They turned out perfectly and I had the liquid needed for the casserole. As always, I upped the spices a bit, and added Chipotle peppers. I’ll definitely be making this again!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.