Description
Comforting cheesy chicken and rice casserole promises pure culinary satisfaction from first bite to last. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Grains and Base:
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
- Incorporate uncooked rice, tender chicken pieces, and optional green peas into the sauce, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly, and seal tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture during cooking.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and cook thoroughly.
- Carefully remove the foil, generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, and return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier, allowing flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Customize the rice type for different textures, like brown rice for added nutrition or basmati for a fragrant twist.
- Swap cream of chicken soup with homemade white sauce for a cleaner, preservative-free version that controls sodium levels.
- Enhance protein variety by mixing rotisserie chicken with grilled chicken or using leftover turkey for a budget-friendly meal makeover.
- Transform into a gluten-free dish by selecting gluten-free cream of chicken soup and ensuring all seasoning packets are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg