Chicken Rice Casserole

Need a simple chicken and rice dish for tonight's family meal? This gooey homemade casserole hits all the right spots! I can't get enough of making this one-pan wonder because it's straightforward, heartwarming, and gets gobbled up by everyone at my table. Just grab a baking dish and a handful of ingredients for this snug dinner that'll soon be your family's most requested meal.

What Makes This Dish Foolproof

Whenever I whip up this no-fuss chicken and rice casserole, the plates come back empty. The juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and velvety cheese blend create the ultimate comfort food experience. What I love most? Everything goes in one dish, so there's hardly any cleanup afterward. It works beautifully for just my household or when friends drop by for a casual get-together.

An Easy Twist On Tradition

This warm casserole has topped my family's dinner chart for ages. I've adjusted my homemade version to cut down on prep time while keeping that authentic, cozy taste. My approach gives you that scratch-made flavor without spending your whole evening stuck in the kitchen.

Quick Path To Dinnertime Happiness

Let me show you how I put together this tasty casserole in my kitchen:

1. Warm Things Up: Start by turning your oven to 350°F. As it warms, round up all your items for this uncomplicated dish. I find it helpful to measure everything out beforehand.
2. Fix Your Dish: For this homemade version, coat a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. This stops food from sticking and makes washing up quicker.
3. Blend Your Foundation: In a big bowl, stir together your raw rice, both canned soups, milk, water, and the onion soup mix packet. This combo creates our incredibly tasty base. Mix until smooth.
4. Create Your Layers: Empty that smooth rice blend into your greased pan. Make sure it's flat and even for proper cooking. Scatter half your cheese over this mixture.
5. Place Your Protein: Put chicken breasts directly on the rice blend. Push them down gently so they nestle into the mix. Add a pinch more salt and pepper if you want.
6. Seal And Cook: This part matters – wrap the dish tightly with foil. Your casserole needs this cover to cook correctly. Slide it into the oven for roughly 1½ to 2 hours.
7. Test It's Ready: After about 90 minutes, check if the rice feels soft and the chicken is fully cooked. The chicken should reach 165°F inside.
8. Add The Finishing Touch: When everything's cooked through, take off the foil, sprinkle on the leftover cheese, and let it turn all melty – about 5 more minutes in the oven does the trick.
9. Cool Before Eating: Let your casserole sit for around 15 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up just right.

What You'll Need

• Rice: One cup uncooked for this straightforward dish.
• Cream Soups: One can each of cream of chicken and mushroom to create that smooth, rich base.
• Liquids: Half cup each milk and water to cook your rice perfectly.
• Seasoning: One packet onion soup mix for that wow-factor flavor.
• Chicken: Two chicken breasts to make this meal filling and satisfying.
• Cheese: Two cups shredded cheddar for that mouthwatering cheesy top layer.

How To Make Chicken Rice Casserole

1. Create Your Base: Begin by mixing rice, cream soups, milk, water, and seasonings in a bowl until well combined.
2. Stack Your Ingredients: Empty the mixture into a baking dish, add half the cheese, then arrange chicken on top. Everything works best when spread out evenly.
3. Oven Time: Cover and cook at 350°F for about 2 hours until your chicken is done and rice feels tender.
4. Add More Cheese: Sprinkle remaining cheese and let it melt completely.
5. Let It Settle: Allow your dish to cool a bit before digging in, you'll be glad you waited!

Customize Your Creation

This dish adapts to whatever you fancy. Try switching cheese types, tossing in your preferred veggies, or adding fresh herbs. I often mix broccoli into mine for extra nutrients and color. The foundation stays unchanged, but you can play with the extras to match what your family loves.

Get Ahead Strategies

Save time with these handy shortcuts for your casserole:

• Put everything together the evening before cooking day.
• Cook twice as much and save half in the freezer for later use.
• Your ready-to-cook dish stays good in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Delightful Family Favorite

This simple casserole isn't just food, it's comfort on a plate! Your homemade creation will soon become the meal everyone asks for. Whether you're rushing on a Tuesday night or enjoying a leisurely Sunday dinner, this dish always delivers. It's the kind of cooking that brings your loved ones running to the table with happy faces.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why does this take so long to cook?

The long cooking time ensures the rice cooks properly and creates a creamy texture. Using regular rice (not minute rice) needs this time to absorb liquid.

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great and stay juicy during the long cooking time. They're actually preferred if using brown rice.

→ Why isn't minute rice recommended?

Minute rice would get mushy with this cooking time and liquid ratio. Regular long grain rice provides the best texture.

→ Can I add vegetables?

Yes, add broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, or other vegetables before baking. Fresh or frozen work well.

→ How do I prevent dry chicken?

Make sure chicken is nestled into the rice mixture and dish is tightly covered with foil. Let rest 15-20 minutes after baking.