Enjoy the comfort of a warm, creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole, packed with tender chicken, colorful veggies, and a delightful cheese crust. Complete this satisfying meal with a fresh salad or your favorite roasted vegetables.
¼cupChicken Brothor milk to adjust the consistency
½tspBlack Pepper Powderto season the rice chicken mix
¼tspItalian Seasoning (optional)to season the rice chicken mix
Cheddar Cheeseto top the rice chicken mix
Parsley Leavesto garnish
Instructions
Marinating and Frying the Chicken
Start by marinating thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts. Combine the chicken with seasoning powders like garlic, onion, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt. Make sure both sides of the chicken are evenly coated for full flavor. If you prefer, boneless chicken thighs are also excellent for this recipe and yield a similar result.
Heat a pan over medium heat and add just enough oil for pan-frying. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the pan. Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and golden.
nce you've pan-fried the chicken, remove it from the pan and let it cool slightly. You can then slice or shred the chicken, depending on your preference and how you want to incorporate it into your dish.
Preparing the Rice
Using the same pan with the remaining oil, add butter, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté these until they become soft and release their aromatic fragrances.
Next, add broccoli to the pan and continue to sauté until it's tender. Once the broccoli is tender, sprinkle in some black pepper, salt, and paprika, and stir everything well. The paprika not only adds a mild heat but also imparts a light red hue to the dish.
Now, add your rinsed basmati rice (or whichever rice you prefer) to the pan. Stir thoroughly to ensure the rice is well coated with the seasonings and vegetable mixture.
Pour in chicken broth and water. Gently stir the mixture and wait until it starts to bubble in the center.
Once you see bubbles forming in the center, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the rice to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is fully cooked.
Remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice gently. Your rice is now perfectly cooked and ready to be assembled into the casserole.
Assembling and Baking
In a large mixing bowl, blend the cooked rice with cream of mushroom soup, sliced chicken breast, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. If the mixture feels too dry, adjust the consistency by adding a little chicken broth or milk. For added flavor, consider mixing cream of chicken with cream of mushroom soup.
Transfer the chicken and rice mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
Sprinkle either sharp or mild cheddar cheese over the top according to your taste. For a touch of color and freshness, garnish with fresh parsley leaves. Optionally, covering the dish with foil during baking helps prevent the top from burning and ensures even cooking.
Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to settle. This makes it easier to serve and helps enhance the flavors.
Serving
Enjoy this delightful Chicken and Rice Casserole as a standalone dish, or pair it with a side salad or your choice of sautéed greens like green beans and asparagus, or even roasted vegetables. For more pairing ideas, refer our serving suggestions section below.
Notes
Here are some of my tips for perfect Chicken and Rice Casserole:
Choice of Rice: Select from varieties like white, basmati, or brown rice. Ensure it’s fully cooked before incorporating it into your casserole to maintain the perfect texture.
Consistency Adjustments: If your casserole feels a bit dry, a splash of milk can help you achieve that perfect creamy texture.
Cheese Varieties: Don’t hesitate to try different cheeses. Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan can all introduce unique flavors and textures.
Vegetable Variations: Tailor your casserole with vegetables like broccoli, peas, carrots, or bell peppers according to your preference or what’s available in your kitchen.
Prep Ahead: Simplify your casserole prep by using pre-cooked chicken. Whether it’s leftover roasted, baked chicken breast, or even rotisserie chicken, just shred or slice it according to your preference.
Other Cooking Methods: If you have pre-cooked chicken or leftovers and want to simplify your cooking process, I've included steps for making Chicken and Rice Casserole with Leftovers and in One-pan below. Feel free to check it out.