Description
This Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts baked with long grain white rice, creamy condensed soup, chicken broth, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. Flavored with onion soup mix and fresh parsley, it makes a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 uncooked chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounce each or homemade cream of chicken soup)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons onion soup mix (or 1 packet dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix)
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Rice and Cheese: Spread the uncooked rice evenly in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the rice.
- Season Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Arrange Chicken and Soup: Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice and cheese. Spoon the condensed cream of chicken soup evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Add Liquids and Onion Soup Mix: Pour the chicken broth and milk over the dish, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and chicken is done.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the foil and gently stir the casserole to combine the rice and sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Melt Cheese: Return the uncovered dish to the oven for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh minced parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
- This casserole is made in just one pan with simple ingredients, making cleanup easy.
- If desired, substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade version for cleaner ingredients.
- You can swap cheddar cheese for another cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- For extra vegetables, consider adding chopped broccoli or peas before baking.
- Covering the baking dish tightly helps keep moisture and ensures the rice cooks evenly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1422 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
