Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake: A Comfort Food Delight

Are you ready to elevate your comfort food game? This Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake is a delightful twist on classic flavors, combining the creamy, cheesy goodness of Chicken Suiza with the warm, comforting texture of cornbread. It’s a one-dish wonder that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The melding of flavors is exquisite – the savory chicken and vegetables nestled beneath a golden, slightly sweet cornbread topping creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

This recipe is not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to customize. Feel free to adjust the spice level, swap out vegetables, or even use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility and ability to adapt to your personal preferences.

## Why You’ll Love This Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake

* **Comforting and Flavorful:** The combination of creamy Chicken Suiza and sweet cornbread is pure comfort food perfection.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal effort and time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **One-Dish Wonder:** Everything cooks together in one dish, making cleanup a breeze.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your liking by changing the vegetables, spice level, or protein source.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A guaranteed hit at potlucks, gatherings, and family dinners.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Chicken Suiza Filling:

* **Chicken:** 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* **Bell Pepper:** 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
* **Jalapeño:** 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional, for spice)
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves garlic, minced
* **Cream Cheese:** 8 oz cream cheese, softened
* **Sour Cream:** 1 cup sour cream
* **Chicken Broth:** 1/2 cup chicken broth
* **Green Chiles:** 4 oz can of diced green chiles, undrained
* **Cilantro:** 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* **Cumin:** 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* **Chili Powder:** 1 teaspoon chili powder
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, divided
* **Oil:** 1 tablespoon olive oil

### For the Cornbread Topping:

* **Cornmeal:** 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 cup all-purpose flour
* **Sugar:** 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* **Baking Powder:** 1 tablespoon baking powder
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon salt
* **Egg:** 1 large egg
* **Milk:** 1 cup milk
* **Melted Butter:** 1/4 cup melted butter

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large skillet or Dutch oven
* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own mouthwatering Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake:

### Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Suiza Filling

1. **Sauté Vegetables:** Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. If using, add minced jalapeño and cook for another minute.
2. **Add Garlic and Chicken:** Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
3. **Make it Creamy:** Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, and diced green chiles to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4. **Season and Simmer:** Stir in chopped cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
5. **Add Cheese (Part 1):** Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese. Set aside.

### Step 2: Prepare the Cornbread Topping

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter.
3. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough cornbread.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Pour Filling into Baking Dish:** Pour the Chicken Suiza filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
3. **Pour Cornbread Batter:** Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the chicken filling. Gently spread the batter to cover the entire surface.
4. **Top with Cheese:** Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the cornbread batter.
5. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
6. **Cool Slightly:** Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents burning your mouth.

## Tips for the Perfect Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake

* **Don’t Overmix the Cornbread:** Overmixing the cornbread batter can result in a tough and dense cornbread. Mix until just combined, leaving a few lumps.
* **Soften Cream Cheese:** Ensure the cream cheese is softened before adding it to the filling. This will help it melt smoothly and evenly.
* **Adjust Spice Level:** If you prefer a milder flavor, omit the jalapeño or reduce the amount of chili powder. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
* **Use High-Quality Cheese:** Using high-quality shredded cheese will result in a better flavor and texture.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a toothpick to check if the cornbread is done. If it comes out clean, it’s ready.
* **Let it Rest:** Letting the bake rest for a few minutes after baking allows the flavors to meld together and the filling to set, making it easier to serve.
* **Prevent Burning:** If the cornbread is browning too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Chicken:** Use leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded turkey, or ground beef instead of chicken breasts.
* **Vegetables:** Add other vegetables such as corn, black beans, zucchini, or spinach to the filling.
* **Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, or Colby Jack.
* **Spice:** Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
* **Cornbread:** Use a store-bought cornbread mix for a quicker option. Just prepare the mix according to the package directions and spread it over the chicken filling.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free cornmeal and all-purpose flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Dairy-Free:** Substitute the cream cheese, sour cream, milk, and butter with dairy-free alternatives.

## Serving Suggestions

This Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your meal:

* **Side Salad:** Serve with a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
* **Coleslaw:** A creamy coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the richness of the bake.
* **Guacamole and Tortilla Chips:** Add a side of guacamole and tortilla chips for a Tex-Mex twist.
* **Black Beans and Rice:** Serve with a side of black beans and rice for a more substantial meal.
* **Toppings:** Offer toppings such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro, and green onions for your guests to customize their servings.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This dish can be prepared ahead of time in several ways:

* **Chicken Suiza Filling:** Prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, spread the filling in the baking dish and top with the cornbread batter.
* **Cornbread Batter:** Prepare the cornbread batter up to 2 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator. Stir gently before pouring it over the chicken filling.
* **Assembled (Unbaked):** Assemble the entire bake (filling and cornbread) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and bake as directed.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions for a quicker option.
* **Freeze:** Freeze leftover bake in individual portions for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

* Calories: 450-550 per serving
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g

## Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake Recipe

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 50 minutes
**Servings:** 8-10 servings

### Ingredients:

**For the Chicken Suiza Filling:**

* 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
* 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 8 oz cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 4 oz can of diced green chiles, undrained
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, divided
* 1 tablespoon olive oil

**For the Cornbread Topping:**

* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 cup milk
* 1/4 cup melted butter

### Instructions:

1. **Prepare Filling:** Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until softened. Add jalapeño (if using) and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
2. **Cook Chicken:** Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
3. **Creamy Mixture:** Reduce heat. Add cream cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, and green chiles. Stir until smooth.
4. **Season:** Stir in cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of cheese.
5. **Cornbread Batter:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, and melted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
6. **Assemble:** Pour chicken filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour cornbread batter over the filling. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
7. **Bake:** Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. **Cool and Serve:** Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Chicken Suiza Cornbread Bake!

This recipe is a fantastic way to bring comfort food to your table with a unique and flavorful twist. From the creamy Chicken Suiza filling to the golden, slightly sweet cornbread topping, every bite is a delightful experience. Don’t hesitate to customize the recipe to suit your preferences and make it your own. Happy baking!