Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken breasts baked with rice, creamy chicken soup, and melted cheddar cheese for a family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 3 uncooked chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounce each or homemade cream of chicken soup)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided into 1 cup and 1 cup)
- 3 tablespoons onion soup mix (or 1 packet dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix)
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the uncooked rice evenly into the dish, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the rice.
- Season Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper to taste.
- Arrange Ingredients: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice and cheese in the baking dish. Spoon the condensed cream of chicken soup evenly over the chicken and rice mixture.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour the chicken broth and milk over the casserole ingredients. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 30 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the chicken is tender.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the foil and gently stir the casserole to combine the rice and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Melt Cheese: Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh minced parsley before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- This cheesy chicken and rice casserole is made in one pan with simple ingredients for an easy family dinner.
- You can substitute the onion soup mix with your favorite dry seasoning blend if preferred.
- Use low-fat milk and soup options to reduce fat content if desired.
- If you prefer, use homemade cream of chicken soup to control sodium and additives.
- Make sure to cover the dish during baking to keep the casserole moist and ensure even cooking of rice.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the rice absorb more sauce and improves texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1422 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
