
Mexican Chicken Casserole
This Mexican Chicken Casserole packs 42g protein and 522 calories per serving for substantial post-workout fueling. Batch-preps 6 servings via stovetop cooking in quick time, storing as complete meals ready to reheat. Designed to hit high protein intake on days when meal frequency matters more than meal count.
Ingredients
- •Quinoa, Dry(240g)
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Yellow Onion
- •Bell Pepper
- •Bell Pepper
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(454g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •Chili powder(15g)
- •Cumin, Ground(8g)
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Cayenne Pepper, Ground(1g)
- •Garlic(5g)
- •Canned Diced Tomatoes(425g)
- •Beans, Black, Canned, Drained(425g)
- •Greek Yogurt (Nonfat)(240g)
Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.
- •Cheddar Cheese(120g)
- •Mozzarella Cheese(120g)
Part-skim mozzarella. Pre-shredded bags are convenient for meal prep.
- •Cilantro, Fresh
Instructions
- 1Cook the quinoa by combining it with 2 cups water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, keep covered, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- 2Heat the olive oil in a large, deep sauté pot over medium-high heat for 1 minute until shimmering.
- 3Add the onion and both bell peppers to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
- 4Add the chicken breast, chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Continue cooking over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- 5Stir in the fresh garlic and cook for 1 minute over medium-high heat until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat.
- 6Fold in the black beans, cooked quinoa, Greek yogurt, and half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 7Divide the mixture evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot, then top each with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. If serving immediately, transfer to a 9×13 inch casserole dish, top with remaining cheeses, and bake uncovered at 350°F for 15 minutes until hot and cheese melts, then broil for 3–4 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden brown. Let rest 5 minutes and sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.
Nutrition — Per Serving
522
calories
42g
protein
19g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 47g
- Saturated fat
- 7.0g
- Sodium
- 615 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 5.3g
6 servings per batch · ~345g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Mexican Chicken Casserole have per serving?
Each serving contains 42g of protein and 522 calories with 19g fat and 47g carbs. This high-protein, moderately caloric option balances muscle gain and metabolic efficiency.
How long does Mexican Chicken Casserole take to prep?
Quick prep time on the stovetop with 6 servings per batch means you can prepare an entire week of dinners in one cooking session. Casserole format maximizes batch efficiency for meal prep.
Is Mexican Chicken Casserole good for muscle gain?
At 42g protein per serving, this recipe supports muscle gain targets when stacking protein throughout the day. The 522-calorie baseline with solid carbohydrate content (47g) fuels training and recovery during a bulk.
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