Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Recipe: Homestyle Magic

Crafting a delightful cheesy chicken and rice casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Layers of tender chicken meld seamlessly with creamy, melted cheese and fluffy rice grains.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this satisfying and simple to prepare.

Busy home cooks can whip up this crowd-pleasing dish in under an hour.

Nutritious ingredients combine to create a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug.

Hearty flavors and minimal prep time make this recipe a weeknight winner.

Dive into this irresistible combination that promises to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Why You’ll Want Cheesy Chicken And Rice On Repeat

• Simplify Dinner Prep: Create a complete meal in one baking dish without multiple cooking steps, reducing kitchen cleanup and saving precious energy.
• Pack Protein and Comfort: Combine tender chicken with creamy rice, delivering a satisfying protein-rich meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping cheeses, adding vegetables, or using different seasonings to match family preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Develop a versatile dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone around the table.

All The Good Stuff In Cheesy Chicken And Rice

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that forms the main component of the dish, providing essential nutrients and serving as the primary protein source.

• Uncooked Rice: Creates a hearty foundation for the casserole, absorbing flavors and cooking simultaneously with the chicken.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Parsley: These spices enhance the overall flavor profile, adding depth and complexity to the chicken.

• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional flavor, ensuring the rice cooks perfectly and the dish remains juicy.
• Milk, Sour Cream: Add creaminess and richness to the final dish, creating a smooth and luxurious texture.

• Butter: Adds richness, helps distribute flavor, and contributes to the overall moisture of the casserole.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Introduces a creamy, tangy element and creates a golden, bubbly topping.

• Cooking Spray or Butter: Prevents sticking and helps with easy removal of the casserole from the baking dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Creates a sealed cooking environment, helping to steam the rice and chicken.

Easy Steps To Make Cheesy Chicken And Rice

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and grab a large baking dish. Give it a quick spray with cooking spray or a gentle butter rub to keep everything from sticking.

Step 2: Season the Chicken with Flavor Bombs

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried parsley

Make sure every inch of the chicken gets a flavor massage.

Step 3: Create a Rice Foundation

Spread uncooked rice across the bottom of the baking dish like a cozy blanket for the chicken.

Step 4: Position the Chicken

Gently nestle the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the rice, spacing them out evenly like sunbathers on a beach.

Step 5: Liquid Magic Pour

Flood the dish with chicken broth, ensuring it completely covers the rice and rises about a half-inch above the rice surface.

Step 6: Butter Boost

Scatter small butter pieces across the dish like delicious little flavor islands.

Step 7: Foil Fortress

Wrap the baking dish in aluminum foil, creating a steamy sanctuary for cooking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the covered dish into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Wait until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice turns tender.

Step 9: Cheese Shower

Remove the foil and rain down shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and rice.

Step 10: Final Cheese Melt

Return to the oven uncovered for 5-7 minutes, letting the cheese transform into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 11: Creamy Drizzle

Whisk together milk and sour cream, then gracefully drizzle over the casserole.

Step 12: Rest and Settle

Let the casserole take a quick 5-10 minute break, allowing flavors to dance and sauce to thicken slightly before serving.

Smart Tips For Creamy, Cheesy Results

• Boost Rice Texture: Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, ensuring fluffy and separated grains.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Cover dish tightly with foil during initial baking to lock in moisture, keeping chicken breasts juicy and tender.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Shred cheese fresh instead of using pre-shredded to achieve better melting and more authentic, creamy texture.
• Temperature Check: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• Flavor Enhancement: Experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary to add depth and personalize the dish's overall taste profile.

Fun Variations Of Cheesy Chicken And Rice

• Gluten-Free Chicken and Rice Casserole: Replace regular rice with cauliflower rice and use gluten-free chicken broth for a celiac-friendly version.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Swap dried parsley for fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Use feta cheese instead of cheddar and add diced kalamata olives for extra flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Bake: Substitute garlic powder with taco seasoning, use pepper jack cheese, and add diced green chiles. Top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of salsa after baking.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Replace rice with riced cauliflower, use heavy cream instead of chicken broth, and increase cheese quantity for a keto-friendly option.

What To Serve With Cheesy Chicken And Rice

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Smooth white wine complements the creamy chicken casserole's rich texture, cutting through the buttery cheese and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Roasted Asparagus: Light, green vegetable side adds fresh crunch and nutritional balance to the hearty main dish, enhancing the overall meal experience.
• Create Tangy Side Salad: Fresh mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette bring bright acidity that helps cleanse the palate between bites of the cheesy, creamy chicken and rice.
• Recommend Garlic Bread: Warm, crusty bread provides perfect vehicle for soaking up extra sauce, adding delightful textural element and complementary garlic undertones to the casserole.

How To Store It Without Drying Out

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with date and contents. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing dairy-based sauces separately to prevent separation.
• Place individual portions in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Add splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cheesy Chicken And Rice FAQs, Served Hot

• Can I use different types of rice?

Yes, you can substitute white rice with brown rice or long-grain rice, but adjust cooking time and liquid amount accordingly.

• Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Simply use gluten-free chicken broth and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free to create a safe alternative.

• How can I make this recipe more protein-rich?

Add extra protein by mixing in cooked diced ham, crispy bacon bits, or stirring in some shredded rotisserie chicken before serving.

• What if I don't have dried parsley?

Replace dried parsley with fresh chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, or omit entirely without significantly impacting the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Cheesy Cheesy Chicken And Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 65-72 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary delight in this hearty cheesy chicken and rice casserole, blending creamy textures with savory chicken and perfectly seasoned rice. Warm family dinners get an instant upgrade with this simple, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Liquids and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup sour cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Season chicken breasts thoroughly with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried parsley, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
3. In the prepared baking dish, spread uncooked rice as an even base layer, creating a foundation for the chicken.
4. Carefully arrange seasoned chicken breasts directly on top of the rice layer, positioning them evenly across the dish.
5. Pour chicken broth over the rice and chicken, making sure the liquid covers the rice completely and reaches about 1/2 inch above the rice surface.
6. Dot the surface with butter pieces, distributing them strategically across the dish to enhance flavor and moisture.
7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that will help steam the rice and chicken.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
9. Remove foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and rice.
10. Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and become golden and bubbly.
11. Stir milk and sour cream together, then drizzle over the dish to add creaminess and richness.
12. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.

Notes

• Enhance chicken tenderness by pounding breasts to an even thickness before seasoning, ensuring uniform cooking and juiciness.
• Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa for added nutritional value and a nuttier flavor profile, adjusting liquid amounts accordingly.
• Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free chicken broth and ensuring all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Customize protein options by substituting chicken with turkey breast or firm tofu for vegetarian diets, maintaining similar seasoning techniques.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-57 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 711 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg