Description
Heartwarming chicken and rice casserole combines comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a memorable meal that brings families together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (450 g / 16 oz) cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
- ½ cup (75 g) diced carrots
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adhesion.
- Mixture Creation: Blend uncooked rice, chicken broth, milk, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper into a harmonious base. Incorporate shredded chicken, sharp cheddar, Parmesan, peas, and carrots, stirring until ingredients meld seamlessly into a cohesive mixture.
- Assembly and Topping: Pour the creamy concoction into the prepared dish, spreading evenly. Craft a crisp golden layer by mixing breadcrumbs (or crushed Ritz crackers) with melted butter, then sprinkle generously across the surface for a delectable crunch.
- Baking Technique: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove foil and continue cooking 15-20 minutes until the top transforms to a rich golden-brown and rice reaches perfect tenderness.
- Serving Preparation: Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes, permitting flavors to consolidate and texture to stabilize before presenting this comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Adjust Rice Moisture: Control liquid ratios carefully to prevent dry or soggy rice, ensuring perfect texture by adding slightly more broth if rice seems underhydrated during baking.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for dietary preferences while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
- Optimize Vegetable Freshness: Consider using frozen vegetables for consistent texture or fresh seasonal produce for enhanced flavor complexity and nutritional value.
- Enhance Topping Crunch: Experiment with different breadcrumb varieties like panko or seasoned crumbs to create varied textural experiences and elevate the casserole’s overall appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg