Description
Home-style Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole combines comforting ingredients for a satisfying meal. Hearty layers of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and rich sauce create a classic dinner favorite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- 2 cups uncooked white rice
- 3 cups (710 mL) chicken broth
- 21 oz (595 g) cream of celery soup (2 cans, 10.5 oz each)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (60 mL) butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation Setup: Warm the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, ensuring smooth food release and easy serving.
- Flavor Foundation: Whisk chicken broth, cream of celery soup, and melted butter into a harmonious liquid base, creating a rich and creamy mixture that will infuse the entire casserole with deep, comforting flavors.
- Ingredient Integration: Gently incorporate uncooked white rice and cubed cooked chicken into the liquid mixture, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to elevate the overall taste profile and ensure every bite is well-seasoned.
- Baking Process: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and covering tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 70 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and the chicken to become tender and succulent.
- Cheesy Finale: Remove the foil, shower the casserole with grated cheddar cheese, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly crust that adds a luxurious finishing touch.
- Serving Presentation: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to set, then serve warm alongside a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Rice Absorption Tip: Use long-grain white rice for best texture and prevent mushy consistency during baking.
- Moisture Management: Cover tightly with foil to lock in steam, ensuring rice cooks evenly and remains tender without drying out.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese in final 10 minutes to achieve perfect golden-brown top without overcooking or burning.
- Temperature Safety Check: Confirm chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe, fully cooked protein throughout casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg