Description
Hearty chicken and rice casserole delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender chicken with creamy rice in a soul-warming dish. Savory layers of flavor and simple ingredients promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Carbohydrates and Base:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 onion, diced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F, creating the perfect environment for a harmonious casserole baking experience.
- Create a luscious base by whisking together rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated.
- Coat a 9×13 inch casserole dish with olive oil, ensuring a non-stick surface for effortless serving and cleanup.
- Distribute the creamy rice mixture evenly across the prepared dish, then carefully arrange chicken breasts on top, seasoning with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Lavishly cover the chicken with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, creating a golden, melty blanket of flavor.
- For added texture, scatter slivered almonds across the cheese, introducing a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Seal the casserole with aluminum foil and nestle into the preheated oven for 1 hour, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, rich flavors.
- Remove the foil after the initial baking period, returning the dish to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the top achieves a tantalizing golden-brown finish.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, letting the ingredients settle and intensify their flavors before serving this comforting meal.
Notes
- Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice to make the dish lower-carb and gluten-free.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories and boost protein content.
- Toast almonds briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Choose skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg