Description
This Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender, seasoned chicken thighs baked over creamy mushroom rice. Ready in just over an hour, it combines simple ingredients like long-grain rice, cream of mushroom soup, and low-sodium chicken broth to create a flavorful, hearty casserole perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4-5 boneless chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a suitable baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Season Chicken: Season the boneless chicken thighs evenly with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Arrange the thighs in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Mix Rice and Soup: In a medium bowl, combine the long-grain white rice, cream of mushroom soup, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the rice mixture evenly over the chicken in the baking dish, making sure the rice is fully submerged in the liquid for proper cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to cook the chicken and rice through.
- Bake Uncovered to Brown: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the top to develop a golden brown color.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For added flavor, sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or thyme before serving.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different taste.
- Make sure the rice is fully submerged to avoid dry spots in the casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, but may require additional broth to loosen the rice.
