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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Season chicken breasts thoroughly with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried parsley, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
- In the prepared baking dish, spread uncooked rice as an even base layer, creating a foundation for the chicken.
- Carefully arrange seasoned chicken breasts directly on top of the rice layer, positioning them evenly across the dish.
- 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.
- Dot the surface with butter pieces, distributing them strategically across the dish to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that will help steam the rice and chicken.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Remove foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and become golden and bubbly.
- Stir milk and sour cream together, then drizzle over the dish to add creaminess and richness.
- 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