Creamy Chicken Rice Cheese Bake (Printable)
Rich and comforting baked dish with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and golden melted cheese. Perfect for cozy family gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Rice
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
→ Dairy & Cheese
06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
→ Liquids
10 - 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ½ tsp black pepper
14 - ½ tsp paprika
15 - ½ tsp dried thyme
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent, about 3 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion and garlic, chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, peas and carrots, 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Mix until fully combined.
04 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole, and bake uncovered for another 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
07 - Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of dinner that makes everyone gather in the kitchen, asking when they can eat
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- The rice needs to be uncooked when it goes into the dish or it will turn to mush
- Covering tightly with foil is crucial so the rice cooks through before the cheese burns
03 -
- Sprinkle crispy bacon over the top during the last 5 minutes for an extra layer of flavor
- Letting it rest those 5 minutes makes a huge difference in how cleanly it serves