Savory Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake Recipe: Parmesan Dream

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy garlic chicken and rice bake delivers comfort straight to your plate.

Tender chicken nestles perfectly into fluffy rice, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Parmesan cream sauce adds a luxurious touch that elevates this simple casserole from ordinary to extraordinary.

Rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying, each forkful promises pure culinary joy.

The combination of garlic, chicken, and creamy sauce guarantees a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Minimal prep and maximum flavor make this dish a weeknight winner that comes together effortlessly.

Prepare to savor every delicious bite of this irresistible one-pan wonder.

Ways To Serve Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve this cheesy chicken and rice bake as the star of your next gathering with friends or family.
• Comfort Meal Companion: Pair the casserole with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the rich, creamy texture and add some freshness.
• Weekend Meal Prep Magic: Divide leftovers into individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week, reheating easily in the microwave for a satisfying midday meal.
• Family Movie Night Feature: Enjoy this hearty dish while cuddled up with loved ones, creating a cozy and delicious dining experience that everyone will love.

Plan And Store Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated meals remain delicious for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying. Cover with damp paper towel for best texture restoration.
• Freezer-Friendly Method: Wrap unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide casserole into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. These meal-prepped portions stay fresh and make weekday eating convenient and delicious.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 558 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything Inside Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy foundation for sauce and enhances overall flavor depth.
• Flour: Creates smooth thickening agent for velvety sauce consistency.
• Garlic: Provides intense aromatic flavor and classic savory undertone.
• Garlic Powder: Amplifies garlic essence with consistent, concentrated taste.

• Milk: Delivers smooth, creamy texture to sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, rich mouthfeel and adds decadent flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Infuses deep savory notes and enhances overall dish moisture.

• Shredded Chicken: Offers lean protein and substantial meal component.
• Uncooked Rice: Serves as hearty base absorbing delicious sauce flavors.

• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty flavor with sophisticated complexity.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides melty, tangy richness and golden color.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Contributes stretchy, mild creamy texture.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy, crunchy textural contrast.
• Melted Butter: Helps breadcrumbs achieve golden, toasted appearance.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh color and light herbal finish.

Kitchen Tools For Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Saucepan: Perfect for creating the smooth, creamy Parmesan sauce.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Mixing Bowl: Useful for combining breadcrumb topping.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon/Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping parsley for garnish.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if you're grating cheese from blocks.
• Foil: Used to cover the casserole during initial baking.

How To Make Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and give a quick spray or butter rub to a 9×13 baking dish to prevent any sticky situations.

• Whip Up the Creamy Magic

Melt butter in a saucepan and dance some garlic around until it releases its amazing aroma. Sprinkle in flour and create a silky base. Pour milk and cream slowly while whisking like a pro. Mix in Parmesan and seasonings until the sauce reaches dreamy perfection.

• Layer the Deliciousness

Spread rice across the baking dish like a cozy blanket. Pour chicken broth and cream, then nestle shredded chicken throughout. Drench everything with your heavenly Parmesan sauce. Shower the top with a cheesy avalanche of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

• Crisp and Bake

Optional: Toss breadcrumbs with melted butter for extra crunch. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and let the cheese turn golden and bubbly for another 10-15 minutes.

• Serve with Love

Let the casserole rest briefly, then scatter fresh parsley on top. Dive into this gooey, comforting masterpiece and savor every single bite.

Smart Tips For Cheesy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Pro Meal Prep Magic: Cook extra chicken and rice ahead of time to slash your preparation minutes in half, creating a super speedy weeknight dinner solution.
• Low-Carb Rice Alternative: Swap traditional rice with cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains the same delicious creamy texture and flavor profile.
• Protein Power Boost: Experiment with different proteins like turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even diced ham to create exciting flavor variations without changing the core recipe structure.
• Dairy-Free Transformation: Replace regular milk and heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk and coconut cream, using nutritional yeast instead of cheese to craft a delectable dairy-free rendition that still delivers incredible richness and comfort.
• Herb Garden Twist: Enhance the dish's depth by incorporating fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano directly into the cream sauce, adding unexpected layers of aromatic complexity that elevate the entire casserole's taste experience.

Creamy Garlic Chicken And Rice Bake With Parmesan Cream Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mouthwatering cheesy garlic chicken and rice bake promises comfort with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Parmesan cream sauce elevates this classic one-pan meal into a delectable dinner you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 ¼ cup (300 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) panko breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thermal Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and delicately coat a rectangular baking dish with a gossamer layer of butter or cooking spray.
2. Sauce Creation: In a saucepan, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom. Whisk in flour to form a smooth roux, then gradually stream milk and cream, stirring until a luxurious sauce emerges. Integrate Parmesan, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder before removing from heat.
3. Casserole Assembly: Distribute uncooked rice across the prepared dish, then cascade chicken broth and cream. Nestle shredded chicken throughout the mixture, then cascade the Parmesan cream sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Lavishly sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese across the surface.
4. Baking Transformation: Crown the casserole with a buttered panko breadcrumb crust. Envelop with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Unveil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese achieves a golden, bubbling perfection.
5. Final Flourish: Rest the casserole for five minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately, presenting a decadent culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Optimize Rice Absorption: Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring each grain stays separate and perfectly cooked in the creamy sauce.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream sauce continuously and use medium-low heat to maintain smooth consistency and prevent curdling or breaking.
• Chicken Moisture Management: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or well-seasoned, slightly overcooked chicken to prevent dryness and enhance overall dish flavor profile.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère or fontina for deeper, more complex flavor notes while maintaining the dish’s creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 558
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg