Description
Cheesy chicken and rice casserole brings comfort and warmth to family dinner tables across America. Home cooks can easily prepare this hearty one-dish meal with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
Grains and Base:
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Blend the cooked chicken, rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, most of the cheddar cheese, milk, and seasonings in a spacious mixing vessel until thoroughly combined.
- Gently incorporate frozen peas and carrots into the creamy mixture for enhanced nutritional value and vibrant color.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and carefully pour the combined ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese across the surface to create a golden, melted topping.
- Position the casserole in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble and the cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and permit the casserole to settle for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and helping the dish maintain its structure when served.
Notes
- Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content.
- Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to create a lower-carb alternative for health-conscious eaters.
- Add crispy breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top before baking for an extra crunchy texture layer that elevates the casserole’s overall mouthfeel.
- Swap regular milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk to make the dish dairy-free and accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg