CREAMY CHICKEN & RICE CASSEROLE DELIGHT
This Creamy Chicken & Rice Casserole is the epitome of comfort food. It's a warm, cheesy, and satisfying dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cooked rice (long-grain or instant)
- 1 cup frozen peas (or mixed vegetables)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional topping: French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked rice and frozen peas (or mixed vegetables) to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Add chicken and cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour into baking dish: Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with cheese (and onions): Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. If desired, top with French fried onions.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Chicken: You can also use cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken in this casserole. Shred the chicken and add it to the skillet in step 5.
- Rice: You can use long-grain rice, instant rice, or even brown rice in this recipe.
- Vegetables: You can add other vegetables to the casserole, such as carrots, celery, or corn.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use other cheeses that melt well, such as Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.