Description
Hearty No-Peek Chicken Casserole brings Southern comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Creamy rice, tender chicken, and savory seasonings merge into a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Grains and Liquid:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Layer the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base for the casserole.
- Arrange the chicken breasts and thighs directly on top of the rice, ensuring they are spread out in a single layer for even cooking.
- Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix, garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt uniformly over the chicken to infuse robust flavor throughout the dish.
- Whisk together the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup until smooth, creating a creamy binding liquid for the casserole.
- Gently pour the broth mixture over the chicken and rice, making sure to cover the entire surface without disturbing the seasoned chicken.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the top, which will help create a golden, rich exterior during baking.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, sealing in moisture and preventing any liquid from evaporating during cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 75-90 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to set.
Notes
- Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, wholesome flavor profile to the casserole.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and a homemade seasoning blend instead of packaged onion soup mix for a healthier alternative.
- Transform this into a gluten-free dish by selecting gluten-free cream of chicken soup and verifying all ingredient labels carefully.
- Elevate the protein content by incorporating additional diced vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach directly into the rice layer for extra nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75-90 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg