Shredded Barbecue Chicken Casserole

Shredded barbecue chicken casserole is made with chicken, wild rice, beans, corn, cheese and crushed tortilla chips. The casserole is then mixed with barbecue sauce to create an easy and flavorful meal.

Shredded Barbecue Chicken Casserole

I love this recipe because it’s uncomplicated and makes a large serving – enough to feed most families for two nights.

For this recipe, you’ll need shredded chicken and cooked wild rice. You can cook your own chicken breasts and shred them yourself (I have instructions below), or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Wild rice can be made in a rice cooker the night before to save time.

All ingredients are mixed together with barbecue sauce and baked in a casserole dish. My husband loved this recipe, I did too! Leftovers make a great lunch.

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Ingredients Shopping List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this casserole:

• 3 Chicken Breasts – I used 3 large chicken breasts which equalled about 5 cups of shredded chicken. You can also use a rotisserie chicken, or store-bought shredded chicken to help save time.
• 1 ½ cups Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite barbecue sauce for this recipe! I love Stubbs. > Buy Stubbs Barbecue Sauce Here.
• 1 cup Black Beans – I used canned black beans, drained and rinsed. > Buy Organic Black Beans Here.
• 1 cup Frozen Corn – You can use canned corn or frozen corn for the recipe.
• ½ Yellow Onion – I used a medium-sized yellow onion. White onions will also work.
• 4 Green Onions – Use kitchen scissors to cut the green onions into small pieces.
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese – You can use cheddar cheese, mozzarella, marble or any other cheese you’d like.
• 1 cup Crushed Tortilla Chips – These add the perfect crunch. I love the Que Pasa brand. > Buy Que Pasa Tortilla Chips Here.

GET MY KITCHEN FAVORITES LIST – Get my full kitchen shopping list here including how I stock my pantry, fill my fridge, and what equipment I prefer to use in the kitchen.

Recipe Cost = $15

The chicken breasts cost me $11, and the rest of the meal cost about $4, only costing about $1.50 per serving. This is certainly a cheap and affordable meal to make for your family (these prices will vary slightly depending on where you live).

Grocery Shopping Tip: If you like to save money at the store, here are my 7 ways to save money on your grocery bill and still eat healthily.

Kitchen Equipment I Used

Here’s the equipment I used to make this casserole:

• Staub Casserole Dish – Has a red exterior with off-white interior. It’s the perfect size for large family-friendly casserole dishes. > Buy Staub Casserole Dish Here.
• Stainless Steel Frying Pan – The perfect pan to use for even heat and cooking. It’s versatile and can also be used in the oven. > Buy Cast Iron Frying Pan Here.
• Large Stainless Steel Bowl – My favorite bowl to mix recipes in because it’s big and lightweight. > Buy Large Stainless Steel Bowl Here.
• Aluminum Foil – Used to cover the casserole dish while baking. I prefer this brand because it’s 100% recyclable. > Buy Aluminum Foil Here.
• Silicone Spatula – My go-to for recipes. These are handy to mix ingredients and scrape down the sides of the bowl so you get every last bit of that casserole-goodness. > Buy Silicone Spatula Here.
• Wood Masher – Technically it’s used for making sauerkraut, but it’s also great for crumbling tortilla chips. > Buy Wood Masher Here.

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How To Make Shredded Barbecue Chicken Casserole

First, the chicken and rice are cooked. Then the casserole is assembled and baked.

Here’s an overview of how to make it with the full recipe instructions at the bottom of this post.

1. Shredded Chicken – You can use store-bought shredded chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or cook chicken breasts and then shred them yourself. See my easy tutorial in the recipe card below.
2. Cook The Rice – Use a rice cooker or stovetop to cook the wild rice.
3. Mix Together – Add chicken, rice, black beans, onion, corn and green onions to a large bowl. Drizzle barbecue sauce overtop and mix everything together.
4. Assemble The Casserole – Pour the chicken mixture into a casserole dish. Spread shredded cheese and crush tortilla chips over top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, removing foil in last 10 minutes.
5. Serving – Let the casserole cool, then use a spoon to break up piecs and toss everything together. Serve and enjoy!

How To Store Shredded Barbecue Chicken Casserole

This casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, or frozen for up to 6 months. To thaw, defrost the casserole in the fridge overnight, then reheat in oven or microwave.

Chicken Casserole Tips and Tricks

Use a Rotisserie Chicken To Save Time – If you’re short on time, grabbing a rotisserie chicken with minimal seasonings from the grocery store is a great solution. These only cost $10 and are easy to shred.

Poach The Chicken – If you’re cooking the chicken yourself, one of the easiest ways is to poach it. You can cook it in a frying pan with 2 inches of water, flipping halfway through.

Use Hand Mixer To Shred The Chicken – This is an easy hack to shred a large amount of chicken. First, place the chicken in a large bowl and cut into smaller chunks. Next, turn your hand mixer on the lowest setting and mix the chicken. This will shred your chicken as you go!

Substitute Wild Rice For Regular Rice – It’s easy to use any kind of cooked rice you want in this casserole dish. I’m a big fan of Lundberg wild rice for my recipes, but using brown or white rice will also work great.

>> Need more inspiration? Grab my Easy Healthy Meals Success Kit! This kit includes 12 healthy eating guides, including meal plans and recipes done for you!

More Casserole Recipes

• Beef Rice Cabbage Casserole – My husbands favorite!
• Taco Salad Casserole – Not only is it a delicious meal, but it’s also beautiful too! 
• Hamburger Casserole – So easy – cheesy pasta noodles are combined with ground beef and tomato sauce.
• Pizza Pasta Casserole – Made with pasta, ground beef, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.

Did you love this shredded barbecue chicken casserole? Be sure to leave a rating below!