Santa Fe chicken and lentil casserole recipe with corn, green lentils, chicken, cayenne, cilantro and cheese baked into healthy kid approved bake. It will win the hearts of all lentil haters.
My rule of thumb for a healthy casserole: complex carbs in moderation, more lean protein and veggies, and keep cheese to reasonable amounts.The list of ingredients might seem long but really they are mostly spices that repeat themselves. I just broke down the recipe nicely for you. Some chicken, of course green lentils, veggies, cheese, spices and cilantro. And of course cheese on top. That’s it.
How to Make Santa Fe Chicken and Lentil Casserole
First cook your lentils. I added extra liquid for a reason, do not drain it. Make some flavourful golden brown chicken pieces. You could use chicken thighs too.
Then saute onion, garlic and bell peppers until golden brown. Mix everything together with cheese and spices. Do not thaw the corn. Extra liquid is perfect for keeping the casserole moist during baking.
Then bake uncovered for 50 minutes. The casserole will be bubbly, moist and cheesy. Take it out of the oven, cover with foil and let rest for 30 minutes. 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!
Looking for more ideas with green lentils? Try my lentil casserole with mushrooms, green lentil curry or spinach lentil soup.
Santa Fe Chicken and Lentil Casserole
Santa Fe Chicken and Lentil Casserole Recipe with green lentils, chicken, corn, cumin, cilantro and cheese baked into a healthy kid approved casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 85 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Lentils:
- 1 + 1/2 cup green lentils, rinsed & drained
- 3 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1/8 tsp salt
Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless & skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray (I use Misto)
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 large garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 large bell peppers, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Cooking spray (I use Misto)
Mix Ins:
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups corn, frozen & unthawed
- 2 cups (6.5 oz) Tex Mex or Colby Jacks cheese, shredded & divided
- 2 tbsp jalapeño peppers, seeded & minced (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped & divided
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine lentils, chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil on high, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 35 minutes. Do not drain excess liquid. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, preheat large skillet on high and spray with cooking spray. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and draining any liquid if necessary. Add cumin, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Return skillet to medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic, bell peppers, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper and cook for 7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer to the bowl with chicken along with cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, corn, 1 cup cheese, jalapeño peppers, garlic powder, cumin and 1/2 cup cilantro. Mix gently with spatula enough to combine. You may want to taste and adjust the spiciness/salt of the dish with extra cayenne/jalapeño peppers/salt.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 oven proof baking dish and level/press gently with spatula. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake uncovered for 50 mins. Remove casserole from the oven, cover with foil and let stand for half an hour before serving. Garnish with remaining cilantro, cut into 8 slices and serve hot.
Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Freeze: 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 + 15 minutes.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments.
I absolutely love this recipe!!! It is hearty, healthy, and not too difficult! I bought the veggies at the farmers market this morning so it was extra fresh.
★★★★★