Description
Comfort meets convenience in this no-peek chicken casserole, a hearty dish that promises rich flavors and minimal effort. Southern kitchens have long cherished this simple yet satisfying meal that brings families together with its savory, creamy goodness you can easily prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Starches:
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of celery soup
- 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
Seasonings:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a foundational layer in the baking dish by thoroughly blending uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and chicken broth into a uniform mixture.
- Delicately season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then gently nestle them atop the rice foundation, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix generously across the entire surface, allowing the powdery seasoning to cascade over chicken and rice.
- Shield the entire dish completely with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that traps moisture and enhances flavor development.
- Allow the casserole to transform in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, maintaining the foil cover to preserve internal steam and prevent moisture loss.
- Once cooking is complete, extract the dish from the oven and permit it to rest briefly, allowing internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to meld.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant visual and aromatic finish before serving the steaming, fragrant casserole.
Notes
- Choose long-grain white rice for the best texture and prevent mushiness during slow cooking.
- Swap chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat.
- Opt for low-sodium cream soups and broth to control salt intake and customize seasoning.
- Add frozen mixed vegetables like peas and carrots to boost nutritional value and create a complete one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg