Ah, there’s something truly magical about the holiday season, especially when it comes to gathering around good food with friends and family. Christmas potlucks are my absolute favorite! They bring people together, each person contributing a dish that tells a story, and that’s what makes every bite so special. I remember one year, I brought this cheesy chicken bake, and it disappeared faster than Santa down a chimney! It’s festive, satisfying, and the perfect way to share love through food. Trust me, your guests will be raving about this dish long after the last crumb is gone!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (use rotisserie for ease!)
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any colors you love!)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen, your choice!)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (for that extra protein punch)
- 1 cup salsa (go for your favorite brand or homemade!)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend adds creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (for that zesty kick)
- 1 package tortilla chips (for serving and dipping!)
How to Prepare Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot when it’s time to bake!
- While that’s heating up, grab a large mixing bowl and combine your cooked and shredded chicken, diced bell peppers, corn, black beans, salsa, shredded cheese, and taco seasoning. I like to use my hands to mix it all together—get in there and make sure everything’s coated evenly!
- Once everything is mixed up and looks delicious, spread the mixture evenly into a baking dish. Don’t worry about it looking perfect; it’s going to taste amazing!
- Now it’s time for the magic! Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s heated all the way through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- When it’s done, carefully remove it from the oven and let it cool for just a few minutes. Then serve it up with those crispy tortilla chips on the side for dipping. Yum!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to prepare—perfect for those busy holiday schedules!
- Full of flavor with a delightful mix of chicken, cheese, and zesty salsa.
- Great for a crowd, yielding 8 generous servings.
- Can be made in advance, saving you time on the big day.
- Customizable for various diets—swap chicken for turkey or go vegetarian!
- Pairs perfectly with crunchy tortilla chips for that satisfying crunch.
Tips for Success
To make sure your cheesy chicken bake turns out perfectly, here are a few of my tried-and-true tips! First off, if you’re short on time, don’t hesitate to use store-bought rotisserie chicken—it saves a ton of effort and adds great flavor. If you like a little heat, toss in some diced jalapeños or use a spicier salsa. Also, feel free to mix things up with your favorite veggies; zucchini or spinach work wonderfully! And remember, this dish can be prepped the day before—just cover it and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Easy-peasy!
Nutritional Information Section
Now, let’s talk numbers! This cheesy chicken bake is not only delicious but also pretty balanced. Each serving (about 1/2 cup) packs around 250 calories, with 10 grams of fat and 15 grams of protein—perfect for keeping you satisfied! You’ll also get 30 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of fiber to help fill you up. Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients you choose. Enjoy guilt-free at your Christmas potluck!
FAQ Section
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily swap the chicken for a vegetarian protein like black beans or chickpeas and load it up with your favorite veggies.
Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, this cheesy chicken bake is perfect for making a day ahead. Just cover it and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake!
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave before serving!
How spicy is this dish?
It’s mild, but you can easily kick up the heat by adding jalapeños or using a spicier salsa. Adjust it to your taste!
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, just make sure to cook it thoroughly before shredding. It works great in this recipe!
Christmas Potluck: 5 Irresistible Dishes to Share
- Całkowity Czas: 40 minutes
- Ustępować: 8 servings 1x
- Dieta: Z niską zawartością tłuszczu
Opis
A festive dish perfect for sharing at your Christmas potluck.
Składniki
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 package tortilla chips
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, bell peppers, corn, black beans, salsa, cheese, and taco seasoning.
- Mix until well combined.
- Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
- Serve with tortilla chips on the side.
Uwagi
- This dish can be made a day in advance.
- Adjust the spice level by adding jalapeños if desired.
- Can substitute chicken with turkey or vegetarian options.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 25 minutes
- Kategoria: Appetizer
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: Mexican
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1/2 cup
- Kalorie: 250
- Cukier: 2g
- Sód: 300mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 6g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 30g
- Włókno: 5g
- Białko: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Słowa kluczowe: christmas potluck
