Creamy Chicken And Rice Bake (Print Version)
Rich, comforting bake with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and golden melted cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Rice & 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 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ½ tsp black pepper
14 - ½ tsp paprika
15 - ½ tsp dried thyme
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, combine sautéed onion and garlic, cooked 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 incorporated.
04 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
05 - Cover baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil and sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 8-10 minutes 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 -
- The rice cooks right in the dish, absorbing all that creamy, cheesy flavor while it bakes
- Its the kind of meal that makes people linger at the table long after seconds have been served
02 -
- I once skipped the foil step and ended up with crunchy rice and a dry casserole, so dont rush that first covered bake
- Letting it rest for those 5 minutes feels impossible when everyone is hungry, but it prevents a watery mess when you scoop it
03 -
- Sprinkle some parmesan on top with the final cheddar for an extra golden, crispy cheese crust
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, just add a splash of milk before microwaving to keep it creamy