Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Grains and Vegetables
- 1 cup long grain white rice (or brown rice for variation)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips to ensure even cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in a Casserole Dish: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the uncooked rice, cut chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, diced onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, and cream of mushroom soup. Season with salt and pepper, then stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Bake the Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the liquid and the chicken to cook through.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set, which makes it easier to serve and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Choose uniform chicken pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Don’t rush the resting time; letting the dish sit after baking allows the rice to absorb extra moisture and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth for better control over salt levels and to prevent the casserole from becoming too salty.
- Cover the casserole tightly when baking to trap steam, helping the rice cook evenly without drying out.
- Feel free to add herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary to elevate aroma and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, rice casserole, one-pan dinner, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal