Casseroles are my family’s feel-good food and I serve them all the time. In just minutes, I can put one together and have it baking in the oven, and it’s a super easy way to make sure we get some quality protein in our diet.
For instance, this Chicken Taco Casserole with Orzo uses a can of premium chunk white chicken. Yep, quality protein is in the can!
The latest dietary guidelines recommend that protein make up about one-quarter of the diet and should include lean cuts of meats and poultry, most types of seafood, and plant sources such as beans, nuts and legumes.
Most of us have favorite family recipes using canned proteins. Since canned goods are so casserole-friendly, I have a cantry full of them at all times.
Protein aids with muscle and tissue health, but some research suggests it may play a role in satiety, weight management and even energy. I’m definitely one of the nine in 10 Americans who feel fuller and satisfied longer with a meal containing protein.
So crack open some cans and get cooking!
You could be having this for dinner!
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 pkg taco seasoning mix (I like spicy)
- 1 cup dried orzo
- 1 12.5 oz can premium chunk white chicken
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In medium saucepan, add chicken broth, tomatoes (undrained), taco seasoning mix and orzo and bring to a boil. Stir in chicken.
- Pour into a 2½ quart casserole dish. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cover until serving.
It’s an easy-to-make nutritious dinner the entire family will love right out of the Cantry.
Here are a few tips from Cans Get You Cooking to inspire you on the way to other healthy homemade meals:
Get creative! All you need for an easy, healthy home-cooked meal is a can opener, a strainer and some imagination. A salad becomes a meal with some canned chicken or salmon; pasta paired with canned crushed tomatoes and some spices make a savory entrée or side dish.
Use MyPlate as your meal planning guide Strive to comprise each meal with about one-quarter protein, one-quarter grains (preferably whole grains), and half fruits and vegetables. Canned fruits and vegetables are all excellent choices, since the nutrition, freshness and flavor are locked in at the peak of harvest. Canned chicken, tuna, salmon and clams are also excellent lean proteins – pre-cooked and ready to go. Don’t forget that canned beans count as a protein or a vegetable!
Have some go-to recipes. A well-stocked Cantry can offer a treasure trove of creative and nutritious meals to keep you cooking throughout the week. Keep a handful of tried-and-true, easy recipes using Cantry essentials on hand when time is tight. Visit CansGetYouCooking.com or the Cans Get You Cooking Pinterest page for ideas.
Surrender (some) authority to children Take meal preparation one step further by having children plan healthy meals and snacks for the family. Rotate among family members – kids included – in choosing what the family will eat on certain nights, or ask the children for input into healthy snacks to keep on hand.
What’s your family’s favorite recipe using items from your Cantry?
That looks great! My family loves anything with Rotel.
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
This is my kind of dish – simple and easy to make and looks absolutely delishious!
Is Orzo gluten free? Thank You
This looks so yummy! I would love to try this recipe. I love orzo.
This looks delicious. We love having Orzo instead of your typical rice!
Why are you doing this to me, this looks so good and I’m trying to lose this weight. I gotta try it.
I would have seconds and thirds if that was in front of me. Yum! It looks cheesy and full of flavor! I’m bookmarking this for sure!
This recipe seems easy enough. I just might try it.
I want one of these! Pinning recipe for later
I love taco anything and I adore Orzo! I never thought of combining two of my favorites! This is a fantastic recipe! I can’t wait to make it!
Oh i’ve never used orzo before. I need to break out of my rice and give orzo a try.
OMG that looks SO darn good. I totally need to try that, I think my husband would love it!
This one looks very much delicious. Both my husband & my kids loves chicken the most. I have never tried this recipe before. Would love to try this for this weekend.
We love casseroles! Yours looks so delicious!
Interesting. I’ve never thought to do a taco casserole, especially one with chicken instead of beef.
I’ve never made a casserole, but I think I should try with this one. Yum. Sounds delicious.
This looks really delicious and easy to make. Will give it a try someday!
This looks quite tasty. I am thinking I could probably use my left over chicken with this. We are always looking for new ideas to go with our leftover chicken.
I’m making this on one of my busy days. I’m trying your recipe as is.
Yummy. That looks super delicious. This would be a perfect addition to my weekly meal plans. I will try this out next week to see if it will become a regular.
I never thought of using orzo in a casserole. This looks really good. My kids would love this and it seems quick and easy!
Guess who has all the ingredients and is ready for dinner tonight?! This momma, that’s who!
This looks like a great recipe for when we are short on time and need something simple and hearty. True comfort food.
I have yet to try Orzo it looks really good I love a good Chicken casserole.
This chicken taco casserole looks delicious! I love that you used orzo pasta in it!
This is such a great recipe. I will have to try making this on the weekend. i love using canned goods to help create a meal.
Looks very good and easy. Will have to give it a try!
This looks like a great dinner – simple and delicious!
Oh that looks SO yummy!!! I need to get back to expanding my recipes for casserole!!!
This is a great way to make orzo. Looks delicious
This is a totally unique dinner idea. We don’t have anything like this very often, but it looks delicious.
Goodness gracious, that looks so tasty and tempting. The photos made my tummy growl. I’ll have to try this, I bet it would be great to bake ahead and serve after church for a quick meal. Thanks so much.
Mmmm. I’ll be making this soon. Thanks so much for sharing!
I like comfort foods that are fast too. I think this looks and sounds really good.
Wow! How I wish I can try making this soon! Sounds delicious!~
My family is a huge fan of casseroles. Gosh, it’s almost midnight here right now and looking at your Chicken Taco Casserole is not a good idea. Looks really good!
That looks just divine and I would love to prepare this Chicken Taco Casserole for one of my wine night with friends. I was thinking it may be good with Sangria too.
sign me up, that looks amazing!
This looks so good and I like how easy it seems to put together
This looks so delicious and easy to make! Definitely a good quick dinner option for me!
This is my kind of dish – simple and easy to make and looks absolutely delishious!
Thanks for sharing the recipe! Will give this dish a try. 🙂
That looks so yummy! I love that the components are easy and straight forward, but it still gives a unique tasting final dish. The fact that it comes together pretty quickly is a big win too! – Jerusha, TheDisneyChef.com
This casserole looks delicious, ideal for busy weeknights.
I want to make this tonight. I have all the ingredients except orzo, so I’ll try pasta or rice as a substitute? It sounds like it might be okay with either. I like all the flavors listed in the recipe and I can’ imagine that either would turn out badly — or maybe I’ll add a little of both…
This looks so good and easy. Tonight I just told my husband that I could eat Mexican every night!
That looks great. I would sub the orzo for rice though since it gives me a bellyache
It looks good I ‘ll try to do in the coming Saturday thank you for sharing your recipe it will great
This looks really good. I have never seen anything like it. Definitely need to make it.
I love orzo but never thought of that combination, looks very tasty I wish I was invited for dinner =)
Must try! I love orzo. My kids could get into this. Seems like an easy week night dish. Pinning!
This looks delicious!! This would be a great dinner for when the kids are back to school!
Wow, this casserole looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to try it and the fact that it’s so easy to make is awesome!
I love recipes that combine Mexican and Italian ideas! One of my husband’s favorite dishes that I make is Mexican lasagna!
We love Mexican food, so this will be added to my to make list soon. I’ve never made orzo before, and I’m not sure if I’ve ever eaten before, so I’m looking forward to trying it.
Interesting recipe. Easy, and simple ingredients that work in a budget. This is my first time on your blog, and I am very impressed. Thank you.
Oh this looks delicious!! I definitely want to try this, so many great foods all in one!!
I think I could even attempt to make this for me and my son.
Me too! It looks so easy to do.
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Chicken tacos, yum. I’ve never really tried orzo before. Is it like tiny pasta?
I have never tried Orzo, too. I use rice more. I’d love to try it.
That looks delicious! I have been wanting to experiment with orzo but wasn’t sure what to do. I will be trying this for sure!
This recipe looks delicious. I’m going to have to try it. I’ll have to find another chicken option, my husband thinks canned chicken smells horrible.
Chicken is a meat that so much can be done with – sadly I am a terrible cook but this recipe inspires me. Orzo is yummy.
I agree that the kids need some hands-on time in the kitchen. And let them pick out brightly colored veggies at the store too. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I haven’t tried Orzo, so this will be new for us.
This looks like a yummy and easy to make recipe. I am always looking for one dish meals like this!
I would love to try something like this, I am a big fan of Mexican style food.
This sounds amazing. I have a trip planned to the store and will be picking up the ingredients to give this a try.
This looks so easy to make! Can’t wait to make this for dinner tomorrow! We have all the ingredients already! Saves a trip to the store.
I would love to make it for our next potluck it looks very tempting and delicious I am sure it would be a hit
This casserole looks so delicious and full of flavors. I love the combinations of chicken and taco flavors.
This looks amazingly good. We sure love our orzo and this is a great addition to our menu
This! This looks delicious and perfect and so incredibly brilliant. Casseroles are a standard and have been for 100 years for a reason. They are easy and good.
Lee
YUMMY!! I never would have thought to substitute orzo!!
This looks really good and I think I might even be able to prepare it!
I think I need to make some of this right away! We love taco anything and could eat it every day!
This looks amazing. I am going to be surprising my family with this – we just discovered Orzo about 2 weeks ago. So they will just love this. thanks for sharing!
Yummy! Now this looks really delicious. I think my kids would really enjoy this as well. I’m going to have to bookmark this one and save for later.
This looks delish and something my family would love!
I think that my family would love it too. I also love that it is something easy I can prepare on a work night.
I have been meaning to try more dishes with Orzo. Thanks so much for sharing this one.
Wow, Liz! You done did it again! I just know my husband would love this and the fact that it looks easy to make is a win-win for me.
I love casseroles. This looks like a great recipe.
This sounds like something my crew would love! I will have to make this, I’ve been looking for some new things to try that are easy!
I love these simple recipes. They are usually the ones that are the best. I will try this one out soon.
That looks positively delicious! I am printing that recipe and will be making it next week. YUM! YUM! YUM!
🙂
Traci
Oh my… This looks SO good! Anything with cheese in it is a winner with me! 😉
Oh my goodness, that casserole looks delicious. I’m normally not one for casseroles, but this one looks like one we may like to try!
What a delicious recipe you’ve provided for a tasty, nutritious casserole. I appreciate quick and easy when the weather is hot (which it is).
First time I ‘ve heard of Cantry, pretty clever. I mainly use beans and corn and tomatoes. I always rinse my beans first and then sauce them up.
This looks really good! Pinning recipe and definitely want to try it out.
These look easy and delicious. I have no problem cooking with canned food. There are some chili and pasta dishes family loves.
This looks fantastic! I love making baked pasta. I think orzo is a great choice because it cooks evenly and even if you overcook it, it’s still delicious!
Yum! This looks delicious! I have never tried chicken, taco and orzo all together. It looks amazing though. Will have to make this recipe soon!
I like making one dish meals and this one looks so delicious and easy! Added it to my meal plan
Oh my goodness, I have a very soft spot for orzo. It is so soft and yummy… This recipe sounds amazing… I will totally be trying this. Thanks for sharing…
Oh this sounds delicious! We love tacos and chicken. I bet my family would enjoy this
That looks easy enough! And I like the orzo addition.
That’s a delicious looking recipe and it looks easy to make too! Those are the types of recipes that I like!
I like cooking with orzo. THis meal looks really good.
That looks amazing, I love Mexican food! Looks super easy to make too!
I love casseroles too! They are usually easy to make and feed many-the perfect meal! This one looks SO good!
Looks delicious! I make taco soup from my Cantry!
What a great recipe. I love orzo, it is so much better than rice!
Oh my this looks so good. I had to pin to save for later. I am definitely making this.
This meal looks delicious Liz! I love anything with chicken and cheese.
I haven’t had yummy orzo in such a long time. This sounds so good.
YUM! I’m not a big casserole person but this looks really delicious. I like that you used Orzo too!
This sounds delicious.I will be trying this very soon!
We are bringing a meal to someone on Monday. This will be perfect. Thanks!
I am so pining this for later! We are huge mexican recipe fans 🙂
I am always looking for easy and inexpensive meals. This fits both and looks delicious!
I just love any taco-related recipe! I’ve been meaning to put together something with Orzo, this one sounds delish.
Sometimes it’s just so convenient to make dinner from cans. Like those times you didn’t make it to the grocery store, but you need to throw something delicious together for dinner. Oh, that’s my life, but you get my meaning 🙂
Ooo, that looks yummy! Thanks for sharing this one!
That looks savory. I can’t wait to make this for my family.
I love a good casserole, but never think to include orzo in it. I am going to be giving this recipe a try!
I agree, I also love casseroles. This looks so yummy I can’t wait to make it.
I love one dish meals and this looks like a really flavorful dish that is different! I think we’ll definitely give it a go!
I am always looking for new recipes for chicken and this sounds great.
This looks so delicious. I love making foods with a great flavor profile and this seems to fit that description. Very nice!
Can you believe that I have never had orzo? I need to remedy with this recipe asap!
I love casseroles! Any kind of casseroles! But I’ve never had or even thought of making a casserole with orzo in it! This looks and sounds so delicious! I’m definitely going to be making this. I think my family will love it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I love an easy meal for busy weeknights with the kids being busy with sports – I will pin this to my easy meals pinterest board!
Your casserole looks delicious! My family would love to eat this, so thanks for our next meal idea!
We love chicken tacos so much, we can’t stop eating them lol! Your recipe looks amazing, I can’t wait to try out for our 4Th of July party. Thanks! ^_^
Goodness gracious that looks so tasty and has a lot of my faves in it. I’ll have to try this for our next ladies auxiliary meeting.
That sounds delicious! I have never had orzo, but this would be a great way to try it!
That is so easy and looks so good! I have made the oven casserole, but this looks like I need to try it too!
I always forget about that canned chicken. I should keep some around for a protein kick!
It’ll be a fiesta at my house tonight! This looks and sounds fantastic. My mom made casserole after casserole growing up, and let’s just say they weren’t anything like this.
I like your use of Orzo in this dish. I’ve cooked with Orzo a few times and really loved it.
This looks quick and simple to make. Plus, yummy!
That looks so delicious, even my picky kids would eat it! We love our taco nights, but never thought about using orzo too, fun!
Looks so simple but yet delicious that my whole family would love. Even my kids love tacos so this recipe would be hit for us. Gotta try it out! Thank you Liz!
That is an awesome meal. Nice, tasty and easy!
Anything chicken is good enough for me. But I never thought that this would be as tasty as I imagined. Tried it and it is perfect for my taste.
That looks so delicious. I love that it’s easy to make. Perfect when I don’t have much time to cook.
This recipe looked so good for a taco dish, I copied it down because I love chicken. I thank you for the share.
This looks delicious! I’ve never had a casserole with Orzo before and would like to try this!
It’s been years since I used canned chicken, but I remember it being surprisingly good! My favorite meal from my cantry is Tuscan Vegetable Soup. It uses canned beans, canned tomatoes, and canned broth.
This looks scrumptious! I love the addition of orzo to it! I make one with a cornbread base, but I want to try this next 🙂
We love ORZO, the taste of rice is love! This recipe is a keeper I will try this!
My son keeps asking me to make a casserole. I think that’s what it is. I will have to make something.
This looks quite delicious and inviting!
Thanks for sharing.
This looks so yummy! It would be perfect for when my sis comes t visit in a few days
I have always been scare to use Orzo because I was not sure how it would be but after reading this recipe I will be giving it a try!
This looks like an easy and yummy meal, thanks for sharing!
I never had anything like that. I bet my daughter would love it. She loves anything with rice.
Ooo this looks and sounds really good! I’ve never tried a taco casserole but I’ve been meaning to for so long.
We love Orzo and eating it still reminds me of the initial explanation my husband gave me about how it looks like rice but is actually pasta. This recipe looks so easy and is great for a busy evening.
This would be perfect for a busy weeknight meal, i love making casseroles, they are so easy and quick.
This looks absolutely delicious! What a yummy combination of flavors! I’d love to try and make this recipe!
OMG! this looks so yummy. Me & my family loves to eat this kind of dishes. This will please my relatives & friends too. Can’t wait to make my own. Thanks for sharing.
I have never tried making orzo yet. This looks like a delicious meal that my family would like.
This looks really good. It would be a great way to mix up Taco Tuesday in our house.
This looks super good and so easy to make. I have never used Orzo before. I will have to try this out.
I would also add some tortillas to the recipe. Either sliced up corn or flour tortillas or crunched up tortilla chips.
I’m a casserole nut. This is a very different and tasty looking option to bring a friend that just had a baby!
This sounds yummy and I like how easy it is to make. It will make a great quick and easy dinner on Friday before bowling.
I love orzo, but I usually use it for Italian style dishes. I never thought of using it for something Mexican, like this recipe. I would add some black beans to this, and maybe corn. Looks delicious though.
Get out of here. This looks INCREDIBLE! I need to make this, like yesterday! This looks so good. I love orzo too so PERFECT!
Looks delicious! I like to make a simple rice and beans recipe using items from my pantry.
This looks delicious! I love the idea. Yum, I can’t wait to make it!
You know I am coming to your house for dinner one day, right? Everything you cook always looks so good and this is no exception!
I love the idea of eating “tacos” with a fork. Sounds so good!
Now this is my kind of meal! I love this kind of food and so do my kids. Hubby not so much, but hey, I am making it, right? Ha!
Chichek tacos are my favorite! We totally love them lol. I can’t wait to try your recipe for 4Th of July ^_^
we are having a huge cookout on the Fourth of July, too, so this would be perfect to serve 🙂
You obviously know the kind of recipes I like. Quick, easy, and tasty! I think I’ll whip some of this up this weekend.
Casseroles are the ultimate comfort foods! You can’t live in the south and not have an arsenal of casserole recipes to make from the pantry. Your chicken taco casserole looks delicious. I’ll be making it soon.
My family would love this
OMG that sounds ah-mazing. We love Mexican inspired meals like this, so I know it would be a huge hit.