Instant Pot Mexican Casserole

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  2 tsp Olive oil

  Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

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  1 lbs Ground Chicken

  Usually near ground turkey in the meat section. Check fat % on label.

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  1 Yellow Onion(110g)
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  1 tsp 1 teaspoon kosher salt
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  1 Bell Pepper(119g)
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  15 oz Beans, Black, Canned, Drained
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  1 cup Corn, Sweet, Frozen
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  2 tbsp Chili powder
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  1 tbsp Cumin, Ground
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  1 tsp Garlic powder
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  0.3 cup 1/4 cup water (plus additional if you have a newer Instant Pot (see recipe notes below))
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  15 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes
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  32 oz Salsa, Prepared, Red, Store-Bought
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  1 cup Brown Rice
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  1 cup Mexican Blend Cheese

Instructions

1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1–2 minutes. Add the ground chicken, diced onion, and a pinch of salt. Cook and stir, breaking up the chicken as it cooks, until no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
2. 2Add the diced bell peppers, black beans, corn, chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
3. 3Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and salsa. Stir gently to incorporate, then add the brown rice (rinsed and drained) and enough water to cover the rice by about half an inch. Stir once to distribute evenly.
4. 4Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and cook for 18–22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. 5Remove from heat and check that the rice is fully cooked and creamy (grains should be soft and some liquid may remain at the bottom). Stir in half of the shredded Mexican blend cheese until melted.
6. 6Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let rest for 5–10 minutes off heat to allow the cheese to melt fully and any remaining liquid to absorb.
7. 7Divide the casserole evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot, leaving a small gap at the top for cooling. Seal once cooled to room temperature, then refrigerate.