Description
This comforting Chicken and Rice Casserole combines tender chicken breasts with creamy rice, cheddar cheese, and flavorful onion soup mix, all baked together in one pan for an easy and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 batch homemade onion soup mix or 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Chicken
- 3 thick boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan or a similar sized casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the long grain white rice, cream of chicken or mushroom soups, milk, water, and onion soup mix. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined and the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the rice mixture into the prepared casserole pan. Evenly sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Arrange the chicken breasts by nestling them gently into the rice mixture, ensuring they are partially submerged for even cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the oven and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The rice should be tender and the chicken fully cooked through. Cooking times may vary depending on oven and altitude, so check for doneness accordingly.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Rest: Remove the foil carefully and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Allow it to rest and cool for 15-20 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the dish set.
- Serve: Serve warm with fresh steamed vegetables or a green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This easy one-pan casserole is a family favorite because it uses simple pantry ingredients and requires minimal preparation.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup if preferred or to accommodate dietary variations.
- The cooking time may vary depending on your oven and altitude, so ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, making this recipe great for meal prepping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 418 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 763 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 63 mg
