The Sunday Best Chicken and Rice Casserole Creamy Dreamy and Dead Easy

Creamy Chicken Rice Bake 2

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:50 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

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Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
• Combine rice and chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed (about 15 18 minutes). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
• In a large, oven safe skillet over medium heat, melt 4 Tbsp butter. Add onion and celery, cooking until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 2 minutes to create a roux.
• Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
• Remove skillet from heat. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Gently fold in the cooked rice, shredded chicken, frozen peas/carrots, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese until everything is evenly coated.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar evenly over the top.
• In a small bowl, toss the Panko breadcrumbs with 2 Tbsp of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer.
• Bake covered tightly with foil for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot throughout.
• Let the casserole rest for 5 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	475-500kcal
Fat	20g
Fiber	2g

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course, Casserole
Cuisine	American

Banishing Bland Bakes: Why This Casserole Reigns Supreme

There are certain dishes that transcend mere sustenance; they become touchstones of memory and moments shared around the table. This Chicken and Rice Casserole falls squarely into that category.

In the crowded world of Comfort Food Casserole Recipes , many attempts fall short, resulting in dry, lackluster bakes that require copious amounts of water just to swallow. We are here to banish that mediocrity forever.

This recipe is engineered for maximum succulence, leveraging a few simple techniques to ensure every forkful is moist, richly flavoured, and deeply satisfying. It is designed to be the definitive Family Friendly Chicken Casserole you’ll return to again and again.

The Comfort Food Philosophy Behind Our Ultimate Chicken and Rice Casserole

Comfort food isn't just about what you eat; it’s about how it makes you feel. The inherent beauty of a baked dish is its ability to cook slowly and gently, allowing flavours to meld into a harmonious whole.

Our version, designed to serve 6 to 8 hungry folks, embodies this philosophy by balancing the savoury notes of chicken broth and cheese with a velvety sauce base. It’s a recipe that respects tradition while subtly modernizing the texture, moving far beyond any dry preparations you might recall from childhood dinners.

Meet the Creamiest Chicken and Rice Casserole You’ll Ever Embrace

The key to achieving that coveted, velvety mouthfeel lies in the deliberate layering of dairy and thickening agents. This is our signature Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe . We build a foundation using butter and flour to create a proper roux before slowly introducing milk.

This technique, far superior to simply dumping everything into a bowl, ensures the final product isn't watery but thick enough to cradle the rice and shredded chicken perfectly.

Setting Expectations: Flavour Over Dryness Guarantee

We are using 3 cups of beautifully shredded chicken and leveraging the time saving magic of pre-cooked poultry, perhaps even a Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Casserole hack which means our focus shifts from cooking raw protein to integrating already tender meat.

On top of that,, we rely on three cups of low-sodium chicken broth to cook the 1 ½ cups of long grain white rice, ensuring that the grains absorb maximum flavour before entering the oven, setting the stage for success rather than dryness.

A Hug in a Dish: Emotional Resonance of Home Baking

There is a genuine warmth that comes from pulling a bubbling, golden brown dish from the oven. This casserole smells like home a blend of savoury herbs, mellow onion, and sharp cheddar cheese baking into perfection.

Whether you are preparing it as a weeknight staple or for a special Sunday supper, this baked delight provides an uncomplicated sense of culinary achievement.

Assembling Your Star Players: The Essential Shopping List

To execute this masterpiece, we need quality components. While simplicity is the goal, using the right ingredients is non-negotiable for the best results. You’ll need your 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken and 1 ½ cups of long grain white rice (avoid instant rice here for texture integrity).

For the aromatics, source one medium yellow onion and two celery stalks, alongside three cloves of fresh garlic. The base requires 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of milk (whole milk gives the best richness), and the classic binder: one can (10.5 oz) of low-sodium Cream of Chicken Soup .

Don’t forget 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots blend, and flavour essentials like dried thyme and parsley. Finally, for that perfect crunch, grab ½ cup of Panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter for the topping.

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Decoding the Dairy Magic: Achieving Peak Creaminess

The heart of this casserole’s texture lies in its creamy binder. While some recipes attempt a Chicken and Rice Casserole without Soup by using only heavy cream, we find the balance of canned soup adds a pre-seasoned depth that is hard to replicate easily.

This canned soup acts as a stable, savoury emufier, working in concert with the freshly made roux.

Prepping the Proteins: Choosing and Cooking Your Chicken

For speed, utilizing a pre-cooked chicken source is highly recommended; this transforms the prep time down to a mere 20 minutes of active assembly. If you opt to cook your own, poach or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked, then shred them finely by hand or with two forks.

Ensure the chicken is cooled slightly before shredding, making the process cleaner and more efficient.

The Unsung Heroes: Spices and Aromatics That Elevate the Dish

Bland bakes often skip the sauté step. We refuse to follow that path. After melting 4 tablespoons of butter, we gently sweat one medium diced onion and two diced celery stalks until soft about five minutes. Then, we introduce three minced garlic cloves for just 60 seconds until fragrant.

This foundational sauté releases essential oils and natural sugars, creating a base layer of flavour that permeates the entire Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe .

Tool Talk: Essential Gear for Casserole Success

While a Crockpot Chicken and Rice Casserole offers convenience, the oven provides the essential browning capability we desire. You will need a good 9x13 inch baking dish.

Crucially, having a large, deep, oven safe skillet or Dutch oven is highly beneficial, as we will construct the sauce right where the aromatics are sautéed, minimizing cleanup. A sturdy whisk is essential for smoothly incorporating the flour into the butter to create the roux without lumps.

The Seamless Assembly Process: From Prep Counter to Oven Door

Once your rice is cooked (al dente, using 3 cups of broth) and your aromatics are softened, the building process begins. The order of operations here is designed to thicken the sauce correctly before folding in the bulky ingredients.

This methodical assembly ensures that the mixture is pourable and coats every grain of rice evenly.

Phase One: Building the Flavor Base Layer

After sautéing your vegetables, sprinkle the ¼ cup of flour over the mixture and stir constantly for about two minutes. This step toasts the flour, removing any raw starch flavour. Next, gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.

Remove this from the heat and then stir in the can of Chicken and Rice Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup (or Chicken soup, as specified), followed by the herbs: 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, along with ¾ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of fresh black pepper.

Integrating the Rice: Ensuring Perfect Texture Consistency

Now, gently fold in the 3 cups of pre-cooked, slightly underdone rice. Follow this by folding in the 3 cups of shredded chicken and the 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots keeping them frozen prevents them from leaching excess water into the sauce. Finally, incorporate 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese.

The mixture should be creamy and thick, yet still manageable enough to scoop easily into your prepared casserole dish.

Baking Temperatures and Timing: The Scientific Sweet Spot

Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). Once the mixture is transferred to the dish and topped with the remaining cheese, we begin the bake.

Covering the dish tightly with foil for the first 30 minutes traps steam, allowing the internal temperature to rise evenly and finish cooking the rice to tender perfection without drying out the top layer.

The Crucial Rest: Why Patience Makes Perfect Casserole

Once the foil is removed for the final 10– 15 minutes of baking to achieve that beautiful golden brown crust from the buttered Panko topping, resist the urge to serve immediately. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after removal from the oven.

This brief resting period allows the sauces to redistribute and set slightly, preventing a soupy mess when you first dive in with a serving spoon.

Elevating Your Leftovers: Next Day Transformations

One of the great joys of a substantial bake like this is the abundance of delicious leftovers. While fantastic reheated, you can transform day-old portions entirely. Consider crumbling leftover Chicken and Rice Casserole into hollowed out bell peppers, topping them with a little extra cheese, and baking them again for a whole new dinner presentation.

Customizing Your Creation: Savvy Swaps and Additions

This recipe is fundamentally sound, but it also serves as an excellent base for variation. If you are seeking a healthier profile or simply want to add more texture, this is the time to experiment.

Troubleshooting Common Casserole Catastrophes

If your finished product seems too thick, a splash of milk stirred in post bake can loosen it up. If it is too runny, it likely means your initial rice was too wet or you skipped toasting the flour in the roux.

Next time, ensure your rice is cooked al dente, and remember that the final uncovered bake is essential for surface drying and browning.

Storage Secrets: Keeping This Chicken and Rice Casserole Fresh for Days

Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Portion individual servings into freezer safe containers, ensuring they are completely cooled first.

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a covered dish in a 350° F oven until piping hot throughout.

Vegetable Vignettes: Incorporating Greens for Nutritional Boosts

If you want to add more vibrant colour and nutrients, consider incorporating greens. The frozen peas and carrots blend is a classic, but if you prefer fresh additions, adding finely chopped steamed broccoli is a wonderful option this becomes your Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli .

Always blanch or lightly steam firm vegetables before adding them to the casserole base to ensure they soften fully during the bake time.

Nutritional Snapshot: Understanding Your Comfort Meal

While this is undeniably a rich and comforting meal, clocking in around 450 500 calories per serving (depending heavily on the fat content of your dairy choices), it offers excellent protein content, thanks to the generous helping of chicken.

By using low-sodium broth and monitoring your salt additions, you maintain control over the sodium levels, making this a rewarding, substantial main course.