Description
Hearty chicken and rice casserole delights families with its comforting blend of tender meat and creamy grains. Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish that delivers warmth and satisfaction in each satisfying bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) chicken broth
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 295 g) cream of chicken soup (or homemade substitute)
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 295 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
- 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Create Creamy Base: Whisk together rice, chicken broth, cream soups, milk, and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper) until smooth and well-integrated.
- Layer and Season: Spread the rice mixture evenly in the prepared dish, then nestle chicken pieces on top, seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and paprika for depth of flavor.
- Bake and Protect: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and cook in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, ensuring chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and rice becomes perfectly tender.
- Cheese and Finish: For a decadent touch, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes and sprinkle shredded cheddar on top, creating a golden, bubbling crust.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Cover the casserole with foil to prevent chicken from drying out and ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
- Rice Texture Control: Use long-grain white rice for optimal absorption and fluffy consistency, avoiding sticky or mushy results.
- Seasoning Balance: Adjust spice levels by tasting the liquid mixture before adding chicken, ensuring a perfectly seasoned final dish.
- Cheese Customization: Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavor variations and dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg