Description
Comfort meets elegance in this Angel Chicken Rice Casserole, blending creamy textures with rich flavors. Midwestern home cooking shines through with its hearty combination of tender chicken, smooth sauce, and perfectly seasoned rice that will satisfy hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 1 cup chicken stock
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, cubed and at room temperature
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.7-ounce (20 grams) packet Italian dressing mix (e.g., Good Seasons)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Microwave butter and cream cheese for 20-30 seconds until malleable, then whisk together until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Combine cooked chicken, rice, softened dairy mixture, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, and chicken stock in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blending ingredients until evenly distributed.
- Incorporate half the Colby Jack cheese into the mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Carefully transfer the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle remaining Colby Jack cheese across the top, creating a complete and appetizing cheese coverage.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the cheese melts completely and the casserole bubbles around its edges.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to settle and temperature to moderate.
- Uncover the dish, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve while still warm for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked and shredded to guarantee tender, juicy meat and prevent dryness.
- Use day-old rice or slightly cooled rice to prevent soggy texture and maintain perfect casserole consistency.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or sharp cheddar for unique flavor profiles and exciting taste variations.
- Replace cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt or homemade white sauce for a lighter, healthier alternative that still delivers creamy richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg