Chicken & Rice Casserole
A comforting one-pan meal featuring succulent chicken, aromatic rice, and savory mushroom soup, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts Juicy pieces provide a flavorful and tender bite.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Adds richness and helps achieve a golden crust.
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped Delivers a sweet and aromatic base.
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped Infuses the casserole with fragrance and taste.
- 2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed The backbone of the dish, soaking up all the savory flavors.
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed mushroom soup Creates a luscious sauce that brings everything together.
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth Provides moisture and additional flavor.
- 3 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated Offers a cheesy, crispy topping.
- to taste kosher salt Essential seasoning.
- to taste freshly ground black pepper Essential seasoning.
- to garnish finely chopped fresh parsley Adds a pop of color and freshness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Pat the chicken dry and season it generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden brown, about five minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool before shredding.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and season with a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, approximately ten minutes. Then, add minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Increase heat slightly and stir in rinsed rice, cooking until the rice is translucent.
Baking
- Transfer the rice mixture to a greased baking dish. Pour in the mushroom soup and chicken broth, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for one hour. Carefully remove foil and fold in the shredded chicken. Cover again and bake for an additional ten minutes.
- Turn on the broiler. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top and broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melting and bubbly.
Serving
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
To enhance the casserole, consider marinating the chicken in herbs and spices beforehand. You can swap the mushroom soup for cream of chicken or celery soup, and add vegetables like peas or broccoli for nutrition.