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Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole
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This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy long-grain rice, and a creamy sauce baked to perfection. Ideal for easy weeknight dinners, it combines protein, carbs, and vegetables with mild flavors and a golden cheesy topping. Adaptable to various dietary preferences, it’s simple to prepare and makes great leftovers for meal prepping.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, diced

Grains

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice

Liquids & Sauces

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables

Dairy & Fats

  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, for sautéing
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: In a skillet, heat butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the diced chicken pieces and cook until they are lightly browned but not fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, sautéed chicken and aromatics, frozen peas or mixed vegetables, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to evenly blend all ingredients.
  4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a casserole dish with butter or oil. Pour the mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly so that the rice cooks uniformly.
  5. Bake Until Tender: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the rice is fully cooked and the chicken is tender. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top, and return to the oven to melt and brown the cheese.
  6. Let it Rest: After removing from the oven, let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to set and to make serving easier.

Notes

  • Use uncooked rice to allow it to absorb all flavors during baking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the casserole dish to ensure even heat distribution.
  • Seal the casserole dish tightly with foil to trap moisture for tender rice.
  • Let the casserole rest after baking for cleaner serving.
  • Adjust liquid levels if needed depending on broth and soup consistency to avoid dryness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, chicken and rice, one dish meal, comfort food, family dinner, easy dinner, creamy chicken casserole

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/chicken-and-rice-casserole/