Baked Chicken and Rice With Black Beans

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Ingredients

• 1 (10-oz.) package yellow rice mix (I did a 5 oz pkg to cut down on carbs and it was just enough rice)
  
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained
• 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained (I used a regular can of tomatoes and a small can of diced green chili's)
  
• 2 cups (8 oz.) grated Monterey Jack cheese (I used colby Jack)
  

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare rice according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, sauté onion, bell pepper, and carrot in hot oil in a medium skillet over medium heat 10 minutes or until tender.

3. Combine hot cooked rice, onion mixture, chicken, beans, diced tomatoes and chiles, and 1 1/2 cups cheese in a large bowl. Spoon into a lightly greased 3-qt. or 13- x 9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

4. Bake, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Meredith Baldwin, Lawrenceville, Illinois, Southern Living, FEBRUARY 2009