Chicken And Rice Casserole
This Chicken And Rice Casserole is a warm, comforting, and easy-to-make one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and flavorful ingredients all baked together. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, it offers family-friendly flavors, customizable ingredients, and nutritious balance with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs, diced
Grains
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
Liquids & Cream
- 2 ½ 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 ½ cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
Dairy (Optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, pepper, and herbs to taste (such as parsley, thyme, or Italian seasoning)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop vegetables as needed, mince garlic, and finely chop the onion to create the flavor base for the casserole.
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl, combine the uncooked long grain white rice, cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, chopped onions, minced garlic, and your chosen seasonings. Stir well to distribute flavors evenly.
- Add Chicken and Vegetables: Fold the diced chicken pieces and mixed vegetables gently into the liquid mixture, making sure everything is well immersed to ensure even cooking.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into a greased ceramic or glass casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese over the top for a golden, melty finish.
- Bake Until Perfect: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown and the top to crisp slightly. The casserole is done when the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Notes
- Use uncooked rice to allow the grains to absorb all the flavors during baking.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking dish; spread ingredients evenly for thorough cooking and crispier edges.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set properly.
- Using a ceramic or glass baking dish ensures even heat distribution.
- For extra crunch, top with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: thirty (approximate) g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken rice casserole, easy dinner, one dish meal, baked chicken recipe, comfort food, family-friendly meal, casserole, chicken dinner