Name: Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp salt; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup frozen peas, thawed; ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped; 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice; 3 ½ cups chicken broth, low sodium; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups milk (whole milk); 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup; 1 cup sour cream (full fat); 1 tsp Dijon mustard; ¼ tsp black pepper; ¼ tsp salt; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided; 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided; ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional); 1 tbsp melted butter (for topping, optional)

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Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is the best comfort food. Find the simple recipe for this creamy, hearty dish with tender chicken and a bubbling cheese topping. Ready fast!

Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is a meal that truly delivers on comfort. This hearty dish brings together tender chicken and fluffy rice. Everything is mixed in a rich, creamy, and wonderfully savory sauce. It’s perfect for feeding a family or a large group easily. You get a complete, satisfying meal in one baking dish. This recipe promises simple steps and irresistible results every time.

Key Takeaways

Brown the chicken first to add a deeper, savory flavor to the dish.
Use a roux (butter and flour mixture) to create the smoothest, creamiest sauce base.
The casserole needs to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set.
Sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses give the best gooey, flavorful crust.

This Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is made by seasoning and browning cubed chicken, cooking the rice separately, and making a rich cheese sauce with milk, flour, and soup. You combine all ingredients, transfer them to a baking dish, and top them with remaining cheese. Bake the dish until it is golden, bubbly, and fully heated through.

The Secret to a Perfect Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole

The success of your casserole depends on carefully preparing the components before combining them. Many people simply toss everything raw into the dish, but this often leads to uneven cooking. You want every element—the chicken, rice, and sauce—to be perfectly textured before assembly. Taking these steps ensures the final product is consistently tender and creamy, not watery or mushy.

Taking a little extra time during the initial steps prevents disappointing results later. A well-constructed casserole is a joy to eat, with every spoonful offering balanced flavor and texture. Focus on building a strong foundation, and your family will surely enjoy this dinner for years to come.

Choosing the Right Rice for Casseroles

You should use a long-grain white rice for the best texture in your casserole. This type of rice holds its shape well and doesn’t become overly sticky once it is mixed into the creamy sauce. Cooking it separately ensures that it is already tender and fully hydrated before baking with the sauce.

Avoid using quick-cooking or instant rice, as those varieties can quickly turn to mush when combined with a wet sauce and baked. If you prefer a nuttier flavor, you could consider using parboiled rice, which is also sturdy, though the cooking time may need slight adjustment.

Why You Should Brown the Chicken First

Browning the cubed chicken is a simple step that significantly deepens the flavor profile of the entire dish. This process, known as the Maillard reaction, creates savory, complex notes that you miss if you use raw, unseasoned chicken. Browning the chicken also helps it to hold its shape better during the final baking step.

Season your chicken generously with smoked paprika, salt, and garlic powder before browning it in a hot pan. Just 3 to 4 minutes per side is enough to achieve a lovely golden crust. This ensures the chicken is already partly cooked, guaranteeing juicy and tender pieces in your finished Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole.

Gathering Your Key Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Beyond the chicken and rice, the true flavor of this dish comes from the aromatic vegetables and the seasoning blend. Finely chopped yellow onion, celery stalks, and red bell pepper form a classic flavor base when sautéed. This vegetable mix adds texture, sweetness, and a fresh contrast to the rich cheese sauce.

Don’t forget the essential seasonings like smoked paprika and Dijon mustard. Smoked paprika lends a subtle, smoky depth to the chicken, while the Dijon mustard helps to cut through the richness of the cheese and sour cream, balancing the overall flavor beautifully. It’s the little additions that make a big difference in this casserole.

Selecting Cheeses for a Rich, Creamy Finish

This recipe calls for a blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, a combination that provides both flavor and an excellent melt. Sharp cheddar brings a strong, tangy profile, ensuring the casserole tastes distinctly “cheesy.” Monterey Jack, on the other hand, melts smoothly and adds a wonderful gooey texture.

Always shred the cheese yourself from a block instead of using pre-shredded varieties. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. A good blend is crucial for achieving that coveted golden, bubbling top on your finished Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole.

Mastering the Creamy Sauce Base

The creamy sauce is the heart of your Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole, binding all the ingredients together with richness. This sauce starts with a roux, which is a simple mixture of fat (butter) and flour. Achieving a smooth, consistent roux is the first step to a perfect sauce without lumps or graininess.

Once the roux is prepared, milk is gradually whisked in to create a thick, velvety béchamel base. The condensed cream of chicken soup is then added for extra body and savory depth. This base will hold all the vegetables and chicken, creating a comforting texture that defines a great casserole.

Creating a Smooth Roux Without Lumps

To make a perfectly smooth roux, melt the butter over medium heat and then whisk in the flour constantly for one to two minutes. This cooks the raw flour taste out. Next, ensure your milk is cold or room temperature before adding it gradually to the hot roux. Slowly pouring the milk while whisking vigorously is the key to preventing lumps.

If you find that small lumps have formed, simply remove the skillet from the heat and continue to whisk them out against the side of the pan. Once the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, you have successfully mastered the roux. This technique is useful for all your creamy sauces.

Preparing the Chicken and Vegetable Mixture

The flavorful base of your casserole is built by combining the browned chicken and the sautéed vegetables. After the chicken is set aside, use the same skillet to cook the onion, celery, and red bell pepper. This ensures you capture all the savory fond (flavorful browned bits) left behind by the chicken.

Sauté the vegetables until they are tender and slightly softened, about five to seven minutes. Adding the minced garlic in the last minute prevents it from burning, ensuring its fragrant, pungent flavor is fully incorporated. This aromatic mixture is essential for the overall taste of your Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole.

Cooking the Rice for Your Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole

While the vegetables are cooking, you should be preparing your long-grain rice. Combining two cups of rice with $3 \frac{1}{2}$ cups of chicken broth ensures the rice absorbs savory liquid while cooking. This method enhances the rice’s flavor much more than simply using water would.

Bring the rice and broth to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and let it simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes. It is critical not to lift the lid during this time. Once cooked, let the rice sit covered for five minutes before fluffing it with a fork; this final rest prevents stickiness.

Assembling the Casserole Dish

Once all the components are ready—the creamy cheese sauce, the cooked rice, the browned chicken, and the sautéed vegetables—it is time for the assembly. Gently combine the chicken, vegetables, and rice into the creamy sauce, folding until everything is evenly coated. You want a uniform mix where the rice is fully integrated without being crushed.

Transfer the complete mixture into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer. This ensures that the casserole bakes evenly across the whole dish. The final step before baking is topping it with the remaining blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.

The Importance of Adding Sour Cream and Dijon Mustard

The sour cream and Dijon mustard are added in Step 5 of the sauce preparation and serve a critical purpose. The full-fat sour cream adds a tangible richness and a slight, pleasant tanginess to the sauce, preventing it from tasting flat. It also contributes to the velvety mouthfeel of the final dish.

Dijon mustard acts as an essential secret ingredient. Just one teaspoon helps to elevate the savory notes of the cheese and chicken, brightening the overall flavor. The combination of rich, creamy sauce and the acidic lift from the mustard creates a beautifully balanced Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole. For more cooking tips, check out our appetizers category.

Baking Instructions for a Golden-Brown Top

Preheat your oven to $375^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($190^{\circ}\text{C}$) before placing the assembled casserole inside. The goal during baking is not to cook the ingredients, as they are already cooked, but rather to heat the entire dish through and melt the top layer of cheese. Baking for 25 to 30 minutes is usually sufficient until the edges are bubbly and the cheese is completely melted.

If you prefer an extra-golden crust, you can carefully turn on the broiler for the last one to two minutes. Keep a very close eye on it during this time, as the cheese can go from golden to burnt quickly. Once the cheese is the perfect color, your Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is ready to be removed from the oven.

Achieving a Crispy Panko Topping

For those who love a textural contrast, adding a crispy panko topping is highly recommended. Panko breadcrumbs are light and airy, providing a much crunchier texture than standard breadcrumbs. To prepare the topping, simply mix $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of panko with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.

Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top layer of cheese right before you put the casserole in the oven. The melted butter helps the panko toast beautifully in the oven, giving your Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy interior perfectly.

Resting Time Before Serving

After your casserole comes out of the oven, it is crucial to allow it to rest for at least five to ten minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the hot, liquid sauce to cool slightly and thicken, which helps the casserole set properly. If you cut into it immediately, the entire dish may collapse and become soupy.

While the casserole rests, the internal heat continues to meld the flavors together, improving the overall taste. Use this time to garnish the dish with the remaining fresh chopped parsley. The parsley adds a bright pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that balances the richness of the cheese and chicken. You can follow our Tumblr account for more tips.

Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole: Ingredient Substitutions

You can adjust many of the ingredients in this Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole recipe to suit your preferences or what you have available. If you do not have cream of chicken soup, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a different savory note. You can also make your own condensed soup substitute with additional roux and broth.

For a sharper flavor, you could swap the Monterey Jack for shredded white cheddar or provolone. If you need a dairy-free option, use plant-based milk and butter, and look for a high-quality vegan cheese substitute that melts well. Remember to adjust seasonings slightly if using different liquids or bouillon.

Swapping out the Chicken and Rice Types

While the recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken, you can easily use leftover rotisserie chicken. If you use pre-cooked chicken, stir it in just before assembly, and skip the browning step. This saves preparation time. You can also use cooked turkey breast for a very similar result.

Brown rice can be used, but note that it takes significantly longer to cook and requires more liquid, so you will need to adjust your pre-cooking step. For a richer, almost risotto-like texture, try short-grain Arborio rice, which will make the final Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole creamier due to its higher starch content.

Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftover Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole stores very well, making it excellent for meal prep. Allow the casserole to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up up to four days. You can also freeze individual portions for later; they will last up to three months.

To reheat, the best method is to use your oven. Place a serving in an oven-safe dish, cover it loosely with foil, and bake at $350^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($175^{\circ}\text{C}$) for about 15 to 20 minutes. The foil prevents the cheese topping from drying out. You can also use a microwave, but the texture may be slightly softer.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

Since this Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is already a complete meal with protein, starch, and vegetables, you only need simple side dishes. A light, crisp salad is the perfect complement. A simple mix of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette dressing cuts through the richness of the casserole.

Another great option is serving a side of steamed green beans, broccoli, or asparagus. These green vegetables add a touch of color and fresh flavor that contrasts nicely with the creamy, savory main dish. A side of garlic bread is also a welcome addition for soaking up any extra sauce.

Cheesy Chicken And Rice Casserole is a fantastic, comforting dish that deserves a spot in your dinner rotation. By following the simple steps for browning the chicken and making a smooth sauce, you guarantee a perfect result every time. This meal is both satisfyingly rich and incredibly easy to prepare for a hungry crowd.

The blend of two kinds of cheese, the savory broth-cooked rice, and the tender chicken creates a symphony of flavors that is hard to resist. Get ready to enjoy a fantastic, homemade meal that is the true definition of comfort food.