Description
This comforting Chicken and Rice Casserole combines tender chicken breasts baked atop a creamy mixture of rice, soup, and cheddar cheese. It’s a cozy one-dish meal perfect for family dinners, featuring simple ingredients and easy preparation for a satisfying home-cooked experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup (or homemade equivalent)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 batch homemade onion soup mix or 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 3 thick boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix base ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rice, cream of chicken or mushroom soup, water, milk, and onion soup mix. Stir thoroughly to ensure a uniform mixture.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the rice and soup mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Season and add chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place them evenly on top of the rice mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to begin cooking the chicken and soften the rice.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the foil carefully. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Finish baking uncovered: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the rice is tender.
- Final touches and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Let the dish stand for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred for more flavor and moisture.
- Substitute cream of mushroom soup for a slightly different taste.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps the cheese melt and the dish set for easier serving.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Onion soup mix can be homemade by combining onion powder, dried parsley, garlic powder, and salt.
