Healthy Meals Monday: Chicken and Black Bean Casserole Recipe

Don't be turned off by this just because it is says healthy . . . I promise that it is yummy!!! 

I was looking for a yet another recipe to use up the last of my garden's zucchini and came across this one from All Recipes. I changed it around a little bit and it ended up being a meal that my family loved! I love that it is loaded with veggies and beans and still has great flavor. I also put a little bit of fat free sour cream and salsa on top of my mine and thought it was delicious.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup brown rice
• 1 cup vegetable broth (chicken broth also will work)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup diced onion
• 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 cooked skinless boneless chicken breast halves, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• salt to taste
• ground cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers, drained
• 1-2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese-depending on how much cheese you like (Swiss cheese and Monterey Jack cheese would also work well!)

Directions

1. Mix the rice and vegetable broth in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 45 minutes, or until rice is tender.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large 9x13" casserole dish.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender. Mix in the zucchini, chicken, and mushrooms. Season with cumin, salt, and ground cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until zucchini is lightly browned and chicken is heated through.
4. In large bowl, mix the cooked rice, onion, zucchini, chicken, mushrooms, beans, chiles, and 1/2 the cheese. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5. Cover casserole loosely with foil, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue baking 10 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. 

This would also make a great vegetarian dish- just omit the chicken!