Description
Comfort meets elegance in this heavenly Angel Chicken and Rice Casserole, blending tender chicken with a luxurious sauce. Savory layers of creamy goodness promise a soul-warming meal you cannot resist sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Grains:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, room temperature and cubed
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature and cubed
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken stock
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.7 ounce (20 grams) Italian dressing mix (preferably Good Seasons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13″ baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt cream cheese and butter in a microwave-safe container for 20-30 seconds, whisking until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Create the casserole base by combining shredded chicken, cooked rice, the softened dairy blend, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian seasoning mix, and chicken broth in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then fold in half of the shredded cheese to distribute flavors evenly.
- Pour the creamy concoction into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even spread across the surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty crown for the casserole.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, then slide into the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes molten and the edges start to bubble.
- Extract from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and settle.
- Remove the foil cover and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh herb essence.
- Serve warm, directly from the baking dish, inviting everyone to enjoy this comforting, creamy meal.
Notes
- Quick softening tip: Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother blending and easier mixing.
- Protein swap: Replace chicken with turkey, shredded pork, or canned tuna for versatile meal options.
- Low-carb alternative: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content.
- Meal prep hack: Prepare casserole components ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake, saving precious cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg