If you’re hunting for a weeknight dish that’s cheerful, crowd-pleasing, and just a tiny bit surprising, Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole will absolutely steal the show. This recipe takes juicy chicken, sweet corn, hearty black beans, and vibrant green peppers, all tossed in barbecue sauce, then tops it off with a blanket of melty cheddar and a finish of crispy fried onions—pure comfort on a plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Weeknight Ease: Everything mixes up in one bowl with no fussy steps—it’s a true dump-and-bake dinner.
- Family-Friendly Flavors: Creamy, cheesy, smoky, and a hint of sweetness—this casserole charms grown-ups and kids alike.
- Crowd-Pleaser Potential: It feeds a crew with minimal effort (and makes the tastiest leftovers for lunch the next day!).
- Customizable Goodness: Swap, add, or tweak ingredients to fit what you love or what you have—it’s the casserole you make your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This lineup of humble ingredients is the secret to why Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole wins hearts! Every component adds its character—creamy, smoky, tangy, and a little sweet—to create a dinner that’s much more than the sum of its parts.
- Shredded chicken (4 cups): The backbone of the casserole—you can use rotisserie chicken to save time, or poach and shred fresh chicken breast or thighs for even juicier flavor.
- Black beans (1 cup, drained and rinsed): These give a hearty bite and a boost of satisfying protein. Don’t skip the rinse to keep the casserole bright and not muddy.
- Sweet kernel corn (1 cup, canned or frozen): Corn brings a touch of natural sweetness and sunny pops of color to every forkful.
- Green pepper (1/2, finely diced): Adds fresh crunch and a hit of garden color—dice it small so it softens perfectly.
- Barbecue sauce (1 cup): The smoky, tangy glue that ties everything together. Pick your favorite brand or try a homemade version for a custom twist.
- Sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup, shredded): Melts irresistibly on top and adds a bold, creamy finish—use sharp for depth, or sub with pepper jack for extra zing.
- French fried onions (1/2 cup): The crowning glory, adding crunch, richness, and that signature casserole nostalgia.
- Cilantro (2 tbsp, chopped, optional): Sprinkle on for a fresh, herby pop right before serving.
Variations
The beauty of a Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole is how easy it is to adapt—swap in your favorite veggies, sauces, or toppings, or tweak it to suit any dietary need. Here are some of my favorite ways to mix it up and keep things fresh!
- Spicy Kick: Add a chopped jalapeño to the mix or sprinkle with a little cayenne for those who like some heat.
- Low-Carb Swap: Trade out the corn and/or beans for cauliflower rice to reduce carbs, and it still tastes amazing.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Mix in some mozzarella or Monterey Jack with the cheddar for extra gooey, stretchable cheese on top.
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and add extra beans—or try a plant-based chicken substitute for the same great texture and flavor.
How to Make Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Mix Your Base
Start by combining the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, green pepper, and barbecue sauce in a big bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated and looks deliciously messy—this is where all the bold flavors meld together, so don’t skimp on the mixing!
Step 2: Layer and Cheese It Up
Pour the chicken mixture into a large casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar generously over the top, making sure no corner is left behind—this is your melty, golden promise of goodness.
Step 3: Bake to Bubble and Bliss
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a preheated 375˚F oven for 25 minutes. This helps everything get hot and cozy without drying out the chicken. Your kitchen will start to smell like a summer barbecue in no time!
Step 4: Crunchy Finale
Uncover, sprinkle the French fried onions across the top, and pop the dish back in the oven for another 10 minutes. The casserole is ready when the edges bubble and the onions turn gorgeously golden-brown. Let it rest 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh cilantro and serving up big, generous scoops.
Pro Tips for Making Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Shortcut: Rotisserie chicken makes this casserole lightning quick, but if you have leftover grilled or baked chicken, use it for an extra smoky flavor.
- Best BBQ Sauce: Use a smoky, thicker barbecue sauce for deep flavor—if you like it tangy or spicy, choose the sauce you’ll want to lick off your spoon!
- Cheese Placement: For the gooiest melt, shred your own block of cheese—pre-shredded varieties sometimes don’t melt quite as dreamily thanks to anti-caking agents.
- Onion Crunch Timing: Add the fried onions in the last 10 minutes—any earlier and they’ll get a little too brown. For extra crunch, add a few more right before serving!
How to Serve Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro is my go-to for this casserole—its vibrant color and lively, citrusy flavor brighten up every bite. If cilantro’s not your favorite, thinly sliced green onions or mild pickled jalapeños make zippy alternatives. A dollop of sour cream or a scatter of diced tomatoes is always a welcome finishing touch, too.
Side Dishes
This Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole loves the company of classic sides—think warm cornbread, buttery rice, or a crisp green salad. Creamy coleslaw, roasted sweet potatoes, or even a big dish of garlic mashed potatoes all go beautifully with its smoky flavors. Let the sides soak up any extra barbecue sauce for maximum joy!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, scoop generous helpings onto toasted buns for a “BBQ chicken sloppy joe” effect, or serve over baked potatoes for a cozy take on bar food. Small ramekins make cute individual casseroles for parties, and a sprinkle of colorful diced bell peppers on top adds extra flair for entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole keeps beautifully—just spoon into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It makes the world’s happiest lunches and quick dinners the next day!
Freezing
This casserole is freezer-friendly: assemble (but don’t bake) up to the cheese layer, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add onions and bake as directed.
Reheating
To reheat, cover and warm in a 350˚F oven until bubbly (about 15–20 minutes), or microwave individual servings until hot throughout. Top with a fresh handful of fried onions and a sprig of cilantro to revive the flavor and crunch.
FAQs
-
Can I use leftover shredded chicken from another recipe?
Absolutely! Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole is perfect for using up leftover roasted, baked, grilled, or even poached chicken. Just make sure it’s not overly seasoned with other strong flavors that might clash with your barbecue sauce.
-
What barbecue sauce works best in this casserole?
Choose a barbecue sauce you truly love—the flavor really shines through! Smoky, tangy, spicy, or sweet all work, so feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade version. For added flair, mix two sauces for a custom blend.
-
Can I assemble Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! You can mix everything up to the cheese layer, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just allow a few extra minutes in the oven if baking straight from the fridge.
-
Is this casserole gluten-free?
It can be! The main ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but double-check your barbecue sauce and fried onions to be sure they don’t contain added gluten. There are many gluten-free fried onions available if needed.
Final Thoughts
Give this Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole a spot in your weeknight rotation and watch everyone dig in with delight! There’s something about the bubbling cheese, tangy barbecue, and crispy onion topping that feels like pure comfort—so come hungry and enjoy every bite.
Print
Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken with black beans, sweet corn, and tangy barbecue sauce, all baked to perfection with a cheesy topping and crispy fried onions. A comforting and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole:
- 4 cups chicken, shredded
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sweet kernel corn, canned or frozen
- 1/2 green pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup french fried onions
Garnish (optional):
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Mix the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, green pepper, and barbecue sauce until combined. Pour mixture into a large casserole dish.
- Top with cheddar cheese.
- Place the dish in the oven loosely covered with foil and bake at 375˚F for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and top with french fried onions.
- Continue to cook for 10 more minutes or until the sides are bubbling and the onions are browned.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
