Comfort Food
Chicken and Rice Casserole
This casserole layers raw rice, a creamy savory sauce and chicken breasts right in the baking dish, letting everything cook together in the oven so the rice soaks up all the flavor. It's an old-fashioned, pantry-staple dinner that needs almost no active cooking time.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Rice cooks right in the casserole, no separate pot needed
- Creamy, savory sauce from pantry staples
- Mostly hands-off oven time
- Great old-fashioned comfort food
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the rinsed rice evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Whisk together the chicken broth, milk, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the rice.
- Season the chicken breasts with a little extra salt and pepper, then nestle them on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle with cheese, and bake uncovered for 5-8 more minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with parsley and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
How to tell it's done
This casserole cooks raw chicken on raw rice, so check both. The thickest chicken breast must read 165°F (74°C), and the rice should be tender with no crunch when you taste a spoonful from the middle of the dish. The liquid should be absorbed, though the casserole should still look creamy, not dry.
Tips for success
- Rinsing the rice before adding it to the dish helps prevent a gummy texture in the finished casserole.
- Keep the dish tightly covered with foil for most of the baking time — this traps the steam needed to cook the rice through.
- If the rice looks like it needs more time when you check, re-cover and bake an additional 10 minutes before adding cheese.
- This casserole is easily doubled for a crowd; use a larger dish and add a few extra minutes of bake time.
Ingredient notes & swaps
- Foil: a tight seal matters. Crimp the foil firmly around the edges of the dish. Escaping steam is the main reason the rice stays crunchy.
- Chicken thickness: very thick breasts may be done after the rice. Split them horizontally, or pound them to an even 3/4 inch.
- Cream soup: cream of mushroom or cream of celery work the same way. For a from-scratch version, whisk 3 tbsp flour into 1 1/4 cups milk with an extra 1/2 tsp salt.
- Vegetables: stir 1-2 cups of frozen broccoli florets or peas into the rice before adding the liquid.
Storage & reheating
Refrigerate within 2 hours of baking. It keeps for 3-4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk, covered, until steaming hot throughout.
Make ahead & freezing
Because the rice and chicken are raw, don't assemble this one ahead. The rice would absorb liquid unevenly. You can measure the dry seasonings and whisk the liquid mixture up to a day ahead. The baked casserole freezes for up to 2 months in portions.
What to serve with it
Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, glazed carrots or a simple side salad. A dash of hot sauce at the table is good too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, but you'll need to increase the liquid by about 1/2 cup and extend the covered baking time to around 70-75 minutes.
Why is my rice still crunchy after baking?
Make sure the dish is tightly covered with foil to trap steam, and give it extra time if needed, checking every 10 minutes.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless thighs work well and stay extra juicy through the longer bake time.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Assemble it up to a day ahead, refrigerate covered, and bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes since it will start cold.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 428 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbs | 40g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Sodium | 780mg |
| Sugar | 3g |
Nutrition values are estimates calculated from the ingredient list and will vary with the exact brands and portion sizes you use.
More in: Chicken Comfort Food Chicken Pasta & Casseroles
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