Description
Creamy, comforting baked dish that combines tender chicken breasts or thighs with fluffy rice cooked in a rich, cheesy sauce made from soups and seasonings. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, perfect for family dinners with hearty flavors and minimal effort.
Ingredients
1½ cups long grain white rice
2 cans cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup (or homemade)
1 cup water
2 cups milk
1 batch homemade onion soup mix or 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 thick boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat oven: To 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
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Mix base: In a bowl, stir together rice, cream soups, milk, water, and onion soup mix. Pour into prepared baking dish.
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Add cheese and chicken: Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the rice mixture. Nestle chicken breasts or thighs into the dish.
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Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake 1½ to 2 hours, until rice is tender and chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
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Finish and rest: Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheddar on top, and let casserole cool 15–20 minutes to thicken before serving.
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Serve: Accompany with steamed vegetables or salad for a full meal.
Notes
Use thick chicken for juicier results.
Tightly cover with foil to steam rice evenly.
Rest casserole to thicken for easier serving.
Check chicken temperature for safety.
Full-fat soups and cheese enhance richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1½ to 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 860
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 42
- Cholesterol: 130
Keywords: chicken and rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked rice and chicken, cheesy baked chicken dinner, comforting casserole recipe