Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this luscious chicken & rice casserole delight, where tender chicken nestles among fluffy rice and rich, velvety sauce. Home cooks will savor each comforting spoonful of this classic one-dish wonder that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
Dairy and Grains:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the long-grain rice according to package instructions, ensuring it’s fluffy and slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried thyme, then roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and juices run clear.
- Shred the roasted chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks, creating tender meat for the casserole.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, sour cream, milk, minced garlic, and diced onions until smooth and well-combined.
- Fold the shredded chicken and cooked rice into the creamy mixture, ensuring every grain is generously coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a rich and golden cheese layer.
- Combine melted butter with breadcrumbs and scatter the mixture evenly across the casserole for a crispy, golden-brown topping.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Always use a high-quality, low-sodium cream of chicken soup to control salt content and enhance overall flavor depth.
- Opt for rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative to roasting fresh chicken breasts, which adds extra flavor complexity.
- Experiment with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, reducing calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg