Creamy Chicken And Rice Bake (Printable)
Rich, comforting casserole with tender chicken, rice, and creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Grains
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
→ Dairy & Cheese
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
→ Liquids
10 - 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Seasonings
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent, about 3 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion and garlic, chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, peas and carrots, 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Mix until fully combined.
04 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, and bake uncovered for another 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
07 - Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together faster than you can convince everyone to actually sit down at the table
- The leftovers taste even better the next day, if there are any
02 -
- I once forgot to thaw the frozen vegetables and ended up with a soupy mess that never quite set
- Covering the dish tightly with foil is non-negotiable or the rice won't cook through
03 -
- Sprinkle crispy bacon over the top during the last 5 minutes for absolute perfection
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting