Creamy Chicken And Rice With Cheese (Printable Version)
Hearty baked dish with chicken, rice, and melted cheese in a creamy sauce.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (approximately 2 large breasts)
→ Grains
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots blend, thawed
→ Dairy & Cheese
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
08 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
→ Liquids & Fats
10 - 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Seasonings
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic with the cooked chicken, uncooked rice, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, peas and carrots, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly across the dish using a spatula to ensure uniform cooking.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the rice to cook and absorb the liquid.
06 - Remove the foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
07 - Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the casserole set and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The rice cooks right in the dish, absorbing all those savory flavors while it bakes
- It makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunch tomorrow, and somehow tastes even better reheated
02 -
- Do not be tempted to skip the foil step—the rice needs that covered time to steam properly or you will end up with crunchy grains
- The casserole might look jiggly when you first remove the foil, but that is just the creamy sauce doing its job
03 -
- Crispy bacon sprinkled over the top before that final bake takes this to another level entirely
- Spraying the foil with cooking spray before covering prevents the cheese from sticking when you remove it