

Hearty, warm, and packed with flavor! Butternut squash is roasted with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. The edges crisp and the natural sweetness comes out pairing perfectly with the bell pepper and jalapeño flavors. Black beans and chicken give the bake a good source of lean protein. Oh, and there’s cheese. All good rice bakes have cheese both on top and stirred throughout!
The type of rice that is used is what makes this rice bake stand out. RiceSelect wants you to “Rethink Rice.” It doesn’t have to remain a tasteless side or a flavorless base for delicious toppings. It’s a versatile grain that can be the hero of the dish, and it is in this rice bake. Their Arborio Blend™ with Jalapeño is a gluten-free blend that adds a spicy kick to this dish. It also contains a hint of onion and garlic to give the fresh onion and garlic in this dish a flavor boost.
Not only does it taste good, but you can feel good feeding RiceSelect to your family. RiceSelect products are grown, milled, and packaged in the USA and are produced from non-GMO proprietary seed. Their varieties also include the signature Texmati® Rice and their new Arborio Blend™ with Mushrooms. Give them a try for yourself! You can find their products at these stores and online.
Want some more recipe inspiration and to save some money on RiceSelect products? Go now to the RiceSelect Rethink Rice campaign site and sign up for their monthly newsletter. You’ll get a $2 coupon just for signing up! While you’re there, enter for your chance to win a free Aroma 6-cup rice cooker and use #RethinkRice #sweeps to show your recipe creation for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
- 3 C butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ tsp salt, divided
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 C chicken broth
- 1 C water
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ C cooked black beans
- ½ C red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ C onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 C RiceSelect™ Arborio Blend with Jalapeño
- 1 C shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ C shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 C cooked chicken, shredded
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- In a large bowl, toss squash with ¼ teaspoon salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until tender. Stirring halfway through baking time.
- Remove from oven to a wire rack.
- While squash is roasting, bring chicken broth, water, parsley, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small saucepan.
- Once you get the chicken broth mixture started, drizzle remaining olive oil in a large frying pan with high sides. Add beans, pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until onion is translucent and peppers start to become tender. Carefully add in simmering chicken broth mixture. Stir in rice, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and chicken. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully transfer rice mixture from frying pan to prepared baking dish.
- Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and stir. Top with remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese. Bake for another 5-8 minutes or until cheese just starts to brown.
- Remove to a wire rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

(The RiceSelect Hosted Sweepstakes ends/ended at midnight on December 18th.)
To help you “Rethink Rice,” BlogHer and RiceSelect are giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card to one (1) lucky reader! Enter for a chance to win by simply leaving a comment below telling me how you would make rice the HERO of a dish.
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/6/14 – 11/3/14.
Be sure to visit the RiceSelect brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Lisa Brown says
i would make a warm spiced rice, pasta and raisin dish.
Lisa Brown says
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/519156121647325184
Elena says
I would make mushroom risotto
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/519160137592758273
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I feel like I have been roasting squash almost every day, it is so good! I can wait to try the arborio with jalapenos. This bake looks like the perfect weeknight meal, can’t wait to try it!
Libby says
I would make beef tips and rice
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
What an amazing product. The first recipe I would make would be this one. I can tell it would be a family pleaser for both adults and kids.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Rice is a hero whenever it’s with chicken!
Andrea D. says
I would use rice instead of noodles in some of my casseroles to make it the hero. I know that it would make it different and good. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Christy Spurlock says
I love the idea of this rice recipe. Looks DELISH! Will be trying very soon. Thanks for an awesome giveaway.
Chrsty Spurlock says
I tweeted about the recipe and giveaway. https://twitter.com/christyjs/status/519176399857278977
Martha in KS says
Something’s wrong with your site – recipe on Home page is for french toast. Also, link to Rethink Rice didn’t work. Found a work-around. Thanks!
Mary Happymommy says
Rice is the hero in my mother’s arroz con pollo.
Mary Happymommy says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/519179221068173312
Mary Happymommy says
tweeted–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/519179221068173312
Kelly D says
I would make rice the hero of a dish by using it in my black bean burger recipe.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/519196380142010368
Ashley says
Now this is my kind of dish!! Especially with the butternut squash, rice and cheeseeeee! haha I can’t get enough cheese right now 🙂 Love this!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
That rice sounds really good! Yummy!
Natalie says
I would make rice the star of my next dinner by creating a slow cooker chicken and rice dish with cream of mushroom soup.
Natalie says
tweet: https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/519241576271593473
Kirsten says
I love chicken and rice or taco rice bowls!
Nicole says
I would make rice the HERO of a dish by adding spinach, garlic, snow peas, my special seasoning sauce and some grilled chicken,
Nicole says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/519250168722358272
marcie says
I’ve not seen this variety yet, and it sounds amazing! I love roasted squash, and this rice bake looks perfect for a delicious weeknight meal!
Heather B says
I would make a delicious rice pilaf.
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Oh my goodness this just screams FALL with the addition of the squash. So comforting!
jan says
I’d make some sushi… with tuna.
heather says
I would add veggies to this rice recipe above to make a HERO of a dish for my family. We also enjoy white sticky rice and stir fry veggies.
Beth @ The First Year says
I definitely wouldn’t mind digging into this for dinner! And I appreciate that they label them as gluten free since I have a gluten sensitivity!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
This casserole looks so comforting! All that melty cheese is seriously calling my name!
Kimmy Ripley says
I would make rice my “hero” by using it as a key ingredient! I would make a delicious rice pudding!
Kelly says
This looks fantastic! I love all the roasted butternut squash and cheese. Sounds like the perfect weeknight meal, can’t wait to try it!
Joanne says
This cheesy bake sounds super to me! Love that it’s comfort food but also veggie-stuffed.
Katie says
I’d make a chicken and rice risotto!
steph@stephsbitebybite says
This sounds so delish!! Fiesta party in your mouth!
Erika says
I’ve been eyeing a simple recipe with rice, grilled chicken, bacon, and spinach – looks to die for!
Sandy Tysseland says
Rice pudding for dessert. Raisins, spice, cinnamon. Yummy!!
Christie - Food Done Light says
I love rice select. I have at least 3 of their products in my pantry at all times. I haven’t seen the jalapeno rice. I have to find it. This is a wonderful casserole.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
This looks like such a cozy meal!!!
Jordan @ Smile Sandwich says
You just combined all my favorite things – squash, jalapenos, cheese and chicken! Totally going to have to try this.
hailey says
i love to go for a greek inspired rice when i’m short on time. i use wild rice (the kind that cooks in 20!) and combine it with one microplaned clove of garlic, the juice of half a lemon, lemon zest, salt, pepper and half of a box container of frozen chopped spinach. mix to combine and then add in some feta. it’s the kind of rice that you can’t stop eating!
Elle says
I would make rice the hero of my next dish by making sure that I cooked it in a delicious chicken broth and seasoned it properly…
and added white meat chicken to top it off.
Elle says
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/519564384608088064
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
This looks like a recipe my family would love!!
kristen mcclary says
my favorite way to use rice as the star of the dish is with cabbage and Kailua pig. I make it in the crockpot frist with the Kailua pic the the last half an hour I use the cabbage and put the rice in to cook and mix it all together my whole family loves it!
Emily @ Life on Food says
Rice casseroles can BE the dinner. I love this one. I haven’t seen one with jalopenos before.
Morgan says
I pair brown rice with any meat/fish…use a simple sauce and add fresh veggies and sriracha!
Morgan says
Twitter…
https://twitter.com/ImaRunnahGirl/status/519830484860559360?lang=en
Desi says
I would make an Indian inspired chicken dish like tikka masala, rice, and naan 🙂
Robin says
Ok. I normally just eat plain white rice but this makes me want to re-think rice!
Kristen @ Dinner For Two Blog says
I love making red beans and rice so I definitely would make that!
Sandy Headtke says
I would make my grandma’s chicken and rice
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
My favorite rice dish is cheesy chicken and broccoli over rice! And I would make that first
rachel says
I would make Mexican pie — it’s like an enchilada with more layers and in a pie pan!
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
I love to use rice in soup for the perfect cold weather comfort food! Love your cheesy Jalapeno Rice Bake!
Ashley H says
I’d use it in a casserole.
anna pry says
i tweeted: https://twitter.com/dapryz5/status/520360968673431552 pryfamily5@gmail.com
anna pry says
i need to rethink rice because right now i only really use it as a plain side dish! pryfamily5@gmail.com
Erika says
Yum! I make a bacon/chicken/broccoli/rice casserole that my family loves.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
OFG says
I love making fried rice with leftover white rice, fried egg, soy sauce and lots of fresh veggies. Yum!!
OFG says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/519947593942839296
Aurelie Red says
I love my rice with some garlic, pepper and fried broccolis, simple as that ! And I could make too some pudding rice (french recipe).
Aurelie Red says
My tweet https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/520990212684804099
Rebecca says
I chicken and cheesy rice casserole.
Stephanie Phelps says
I make rice the hero by cooking it with broth instead of water and it comes out so tasty!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/521039084622741505
Dee says
I would make rice the hero of the dish by making it the main focus — a whole plate of it with grilled veggies and sauce on top! 🙂
Dee says
tweeted https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/521161605787435009
Janice Cooper says
I would make Spanish rice with sour cream
Janice Cooper says
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/521409545206513666
Cheryl W says
I would make this rice the hero of my Seafood Paella recipe. I love that it has little jalapenos in it as well. That would bring the perfect touch to my recipe. Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter.
Cheryl W says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/521423732779515905
Ramona says
Congratulations!! I saw your photo on the Blogher ad for this rice… that’s awesome!! 🙂 We love rice in our house… this would be a winner. 🙂
Susan Smith says
This looks yummy. My favorite rice recipe is Spanish Rice.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/521479281202176000
Jessie C. says
I would make rice the HERO of a dish by swerving our family’s favorite Japanese curry rice.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/521498189225291776
Vincent says
We like to make skewers on the grill with marinated meat (usually chicken), onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and pineapple…so good and it’s important to have really good rice to eat it with!
Vincent says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/522094841316904960
Tina M says
i like Fried Rice with egg.
Tina M says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/522190473440419840
Gina M says
I love making homemade pork fried rice, just like my favorite Chinese place!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/523572900901945345
D Schmidt says
I would make it the hero by using it in recipes instead of potatoes, for example I would use it as a side with a pot roast.
D Schmidt says
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/523605287186341888
ANGEL JACKLYN says
SPICE IT UP! FRY IT, THEN SEASON AND ADD ANY MEAT!
ANGEL JACKLYN says
https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/523611640663916544
shelly peterson says
I would try and make a rice dish with some cheddar cheese soup, bacon and some green onions.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/524134226430812160
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Geeni says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/ambientguise/status/524919131439906816
Geeni says
I love stuffing peppers with cheesy rice.
natalie @ wee eats says
i would make a hearty rice salad or pilaf !
Tonia says
Oh yum! I know what I want for dinner!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Cheese and jalapeños are a winner in our house! Love how you added them to the rice. So yummy!
Anne says
I like the idea of rice being a “hero.” It certainly is in this house–we eat it several times a week. I think I could make it a hero by moving it from its supporting role at dinner time to a starring role in dessert with a nice old-fashioned rice pudding.
Anne says
I shared your cheesy rice bake and the RiceSelect promotion on Twitter; here’s the link:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/526111682775756800
Thanks!
ELIZABETH P says
I would make it the hero of mine by doing a risotto
ELIZABETH P says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/526132201013129216
Madeline says
Rice would definitely be the hero in a rice pudding dish with golden raisins. Love it!
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/526167137652858880
Deborah W says
I love this recipe! I usually use corn tortillas (torn) or noodles but this sounds much better! I can’t wai to try it. I usually use rice with chili and also in stuffed peppers. Delicious. I tweeted your contest too!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Gosh this looks good. I can’t wait to make this myself. I do believe I have everything I need already in my pantry and fridge. Thanks for the recipe. Pinning.
courtney b says
I love teriyiaki chicken with vegetables and fried rice. that’s my absolute favorite rice dish
courtney b says
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/527247229548261376
courtney b says
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/527255071768449024
amy pugmire says
I would use it to make some chicken and wild mushroom with rice soup.
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/527344107031506945
Denise L says
I’d make rice the hero by mixing it with a little sauteed garlic and a lot of minced green herbs. Always wins over the most unadventurous eaters.
Denise L says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/527551481549824001
Christy says
This recipe looks amazing! I love red beans & rice
Cynthia C says
I would use rice in a stuffed pepper soup recipe.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/527796699646160896
Laura J says
Oh I would use the rice and make Spaghetti rice stuffed green peppers!
Laura J says
I shared on twitter
https://twitter.com/ilovemybeagle22/status/527840547042758656
April G. says
My husband would love this recipe. Thanks for sharing it.
April G. says
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/pinkiebean/status/528190399966642177
Kerry says
Chicken and cheese is what I love to make rice the best!
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/528280031873617920
Victoria R. says
I’d make rice the hero of a dish by using a new kind or variety I hadn’t tried! Rice goes with everything!
Victoria R. says
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/gildedaged/status/528347738942210048
Rebecca Graham says
I would make some red beans and rice.
maria cantu says
I like to make rice with chicken.
Debbie B says
i would make some beef tips over rice –
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/528727866436255744
erica best says
i love rice and eggs
erica best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/528764687026905088
Betty C says
I love fried rice. It’s so easy when almost everything that goes into the dish is a leftover.
Betty C says
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/529138484318334977
Thomas Murphy says
I would use different spices
Thomas Murphy says
tweet
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/529312092034461697
Katherine says
It is the main ingredient in my CHicken and rice dish
Katherine says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/529318847191736320
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would love to try a bbq sauce on rice to make it stand out!
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/529326372255465473
Neiddy says
I would make apple cinammon rice pudding
Neiddy says
tweeted https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/529354885381509121
Jessica Beard says
My favorite rice recipe is making beef burritos with white rice and black beans.
Jessica Beard says
https://twitter.com/JBeard25/status/529432742144909313
ewhatley says
I love making my Grandma’s recipe for rice pudding.
Annette says
I’d would make rice the HERO of a dish by ccooking rice pudding.
Annette says
https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/529434006496878592
Melissa M says
I like to cook rice in water with beef bouillon cubes. Then I add cooked hamburger, corn and green beans to it. My kids LOVE it!
Melissa M says
https://twitter.com/618mom23boys/status/532022533684756480