Description
Cheesy chicken & rice casserole is the quintessential comfort food that brings warmth and joy to the dinner table. This dish features tender chicken, creamy cheese, and fluffy rice, all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, each bite delivers a delightful explosion of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded and divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté chicken: Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, onions, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper; sauté 5-6 min until lightly golden.
- Mix casserole base: In a 9×13 ceramic baking dish, combine uncooked rice, warm chicken broth, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble & top: Fold in sautéed chicken and vegetables. Smooth the surface and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake & serve: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 35 min. Uncover and bake 10-15 min more until cheese is bubbling and golden. Rest 5 min, garnish with parsley, and serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 80mg