This cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy cheese. It’s a perfect meal for busy weeknights and can be prepared in one dish for easy cleanup.
The recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients, making it a great option for families. You can customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or spices to enhance the flavor.
Overview of Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
This dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a medley of colorful vegetables, all enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole is not only comforting but also easy to prepare.
With minimal ingredients and one-dish cleanup, it’s a go-to recipe for families looking for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients That Make It Special
The foundation of this casserole includes cooked chicken, which can be shredded or diced, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
Long-grain white rice serves as the base, absorbing all the delicious flavors during baking.
Adding cream of chicken soup and chicken broth creates a rich and creamy texture, while shredded cheddar cheese on top provides that irresistible golden crust.
Preparation Steps
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and mixed vegetables.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring a well-balanced flavor.
Baking to Perfection
Once the mixture is ready, pour it into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously on top, creating a deliciously cheesy layer.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the top to become bubbly and golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
After baking, let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, adding a crisp contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole.
Each serving is not only filling but also visually appealing, making it a great centerpiece for family dinners.
Nutritional Benefits
This casserole serves six, making it ideal for family meals or gatherings.
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, with a good balance of protein and carbohydrates.
With 25 grams of protein per serving, it provides the energy needed for a busy day while still being a comforting dish that everyone will love.
Easy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
This casserole features cooked chicken mixed with rice, cream of chicken soup, and cheese, baked until bubbly and golden. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and serves 6 people.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for greasing the dish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Casserole Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with olive oil or butter.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mixture.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your cheesy chicken and rice casserole!
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 30g