Arroz Gratinado con Pollo y Elote (Baked Mexican Rice and Chicken Casserole)
Red rice, shredded chicken and sweetcorn baked under a blanket of melted cheese, an easy Mexican family bake.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.30 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 6 minutes until soft.
6 min - 2
In a large bowl, mix your ready made arroz rojo (see the base recipe), your ready made shredded chicken (see the base recipe), the onion, sweetcorn and half the coriander.
- 3
Stir in your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and the soured cream. Season with salt.
- 4
Spoon into a baking dish about 25 cm square and smooth the top. Scatter over the cheese.
- 5
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling and the middle is steaming hot all the way through.
33 min - 6
Rest for 5 minutes. Scatter over the remaining coriander and serve with a green salad.
Tips
- Use cold rice straight from the fridge, which is easier to mix and does not turn to mush.
- Check the centre is steaming hot, since the rice and chicken are being reheated.
- Add a drained tin of black beans for an extra-filling bake.
- Use full-fat soured cream or Mexican crema. Low fat versions can split in the oven.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat once at 190C (fan 170C) for 20 minutes until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze portions for up to 1 month.
Questions
Can I use leftover turkey?
Yes, shredded roast turkey works in exactly the same way. Use the same weight in place of the shredded chicken.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes. Swap the soured cream for dairy free yoghurt and use a dairy free melting cheese, or leave off the cheese.
Can I assemble it ahead?
Yes. Cover and chill unbaked for up to 1 day, then bake from cold, adding 10 minutes to the time.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.