Description
Sumptuous cheesy chicken and rice casserole delivers comfort on a plate. Home cooks discover pure satisfaction through this simple, hearty midweek meal you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ cup crispy bacon bits
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken with a robust spice blend, ensuring comprehensive and even coverage.
- Skillet Foundation: Meld olive oil and butter in a spacious pan, heating until the mixture becomes aromatic and shimmering.
- Protein Searing: Execute a golden-brown sear on the seasoned chicken, maximizing flavor retention and creating a crisp exterior while preserving internal moisture.
- Aromatic Building: Caramelize onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, quickly toasting to unlock its intense flavor profile.
- Rice Integration: Fold rice into the fragrant mixture, meticulously coating each grain with the pan’s concentrated essences.
- Liquid Infusion: Stream chicken broth into the skillet, bringing to a gentle boil before reducing to a subdued simmer and covering to facilitate rice absorption.
- Creamy Transformation: Integrate heavy cream and a harmonious blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until a luxurious, velvety sauce emerges.
- Final Assembly: Reunite the seared chicken with the creamy rice, ensuring comprehensive coating and optional enhancement with a dollop of sour cream.
- Presentation: Embellish with crisp bacon fragments and freshly chopped green onions, then serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and cheese consistency.
Notes
- Manage Chicken Seasoning: Use a mix of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder for a balanced flavor profile that penetrates the meat deeply.
- Prevent Rice Sticking: Stir rice frequently and maintain low heat to ensure even cooking and prevent burning or clumping at the bottom of the skillet.
- Control Cheese Melting: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy sauce without graininess.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, use cauliflower rice for low-carb option, or substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg