Savory Chicken and Rice Casserole
A foolproof one-pan comfort meal perfect for busy weeknights
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $15-25
- Diet: Contains dairy, gluten
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Aluminum foil
Alternative: Use two smaller baking dishes if serving in portions.
INGREDIENTS
For the Base:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (400g)
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 750g)
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz/300g each)
- 2 cups chicken broth (480ml)
- 1 cup milk (240ml)
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix (or 3 tbsp homemade)
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200g)
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Grease your baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- In your mixing bowl, combine rice, cream of chicken soup, broth, milk, and onion soup mix. Mix well.
- Pour the rice mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Layer chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil, add cheese, and bake for additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t peek during the first hour of cooking.
- Ensure foil is sealed tightly to trap steam.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C.
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Freeze up to 3 months
- Reheat covered at 350°F until hot
Common Variations:
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs
- Use wild rice blend (adjust liquid +1/2 cup)
- Add sautéed mushrooms and onions
- Top with crushed butter crackers
Avoid These Mistakes:
- Using instant rice (gets mushy)
- Skipping the resting time
- Not sealing foil properly
- Using pre-shredded cheese (doesn’t melt as well)
Pro tip: For extra flavor, brown chicken before adding to casserole.
This recipe has saved my dinner plans countless times – it’s virtually impossible to mess up if you follow these steps exactly. The key is patience during that first hour of cooking!
