Description
Creamy baked chicken and rice casserole with veggies and gooey cheese—perfect one-dish family dinner!
Ingredients
- 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2), cut in ½-¾” cubes
- 2 cups frozen vegetables (whichever you prefer!)
- 1½ cups long grain white rice (rinsed well)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons seasoning salt*
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or marble cheese
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish with nonstick spray or a little oil.
Rinse the Rice:
Rinse the white rice thoroughly using a fine mesh strainer under cold running water. This helps remove excess starch and prevents a gummy texture.
Combine Ingredients:
In the prepared baking dish, add the following:
Rinsed rice
Chicken cubes (uncooked)
Frozen vegetables
Chicken broth
Heavy cream
Seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper
Mix everything together well.
Add Butter:
Dot the top of the casserole mixture with the small butter pieces. This adds richness and helps with even baking.
Cover and Bake:
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Add Cheese and Finish Baking:
Remove the foil carefully. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 5–10 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Serve:
Notes
Seasoning salt adjustment: If using salted broth, reduce the amount of seasoning salt or use unsalted broth for better control.
Rice Texture: Rinsing rice is crucial for a fluffier result. The recipe was adjusted to bake at 400°F for a better finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken rice casserole, cheesy rice bake, family dinner