Description
Hearty chicken and rice casserole nestles comfort and flavor in one delicious dish, blending tender chicken, fluffy rice, and rich, creamy sauce. Warm, satisfying layers promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (450 g / 16 ounces) cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
- ½ cup (75 g) diced carrots
Liquid and Seasoning Components:
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fluid ounces) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fluid ounces) whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping:
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Warm the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 375F (190C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease layer to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, harmonize uncooked rice with chicken broth, milk, cream of chicken soup, and a symphony of seasonings including garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in tender, shredded chicken, creating a rich medley with sharp cheddar, nutty Parmesan, vibrant peas, and sweet carrots.
- Transfer the creamy mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even landscape across the surface.
- Craft a crispy crown by combining breadcrumbs (or crushed Ritz crackers) with molten butter. Delicately scatter this golden topping across the casserole’s surface, promising a delightful crunch.
- Drape the dish with aluminum foil, allowing it to bake for 40 minutes in the warm embrace of the oven. Unveil the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and perfectly tender rice.
- Allow the casserole a brief moment of rest, 5-10 minutes, to settle and collect its flavors before serving this comforting creation.
Notes
- Customize rice by using brown rice for added nutrition, which takes longer to cook so adjust liquid and baking time accordingly.
- Transform into a gluten-free dish by selecting gluten-free cream of chicken soup and using almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for topping.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium chicken broth and replacing some salt with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Make it vegetarian by substituting chicken with firm tofu, plant-based chicken alternatives, or increasing vegetable quantities like mushrooms and zucchini for protein boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg