Description
Comfort meets convenience in this cheesy chicken and rice delight casserole recipe that combines hearty ingredients for a satisfying meal. Home cooks can easily prepare this nostalgic dish for family gatherings with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups chicken, diced or shredded
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature and cubed
- 10.5 oz (298 g) cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups rice, cooked
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded (divided use)
- 1 cup butter, room temperature and cubed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.7 oz (20 g) Italian dressing mix
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat: Ignite the oven to 350 degrees F and generously spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking lubricant.
- Melt Fusion: Combine butter and cream cheese in a microwave-safe vessel, heating for 20-30 seconds and whisking until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Flavor Composition: In a large mixing bowl, orchestrate a symphony of shredded chicken, rice, butter-cream cheese blend, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, and chicken stock. Integrate half the Colby Jack cheese, seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a thorough and harmonious mixture.
- Assembly: Pour the culinary mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform landscape of savory potential.
- Cheese Coronation: Scatter the remaining shredded cheese across the surface, promising a golden, molten blanket of flavor.
- Baking Ritual: Cloak the casserole with foil and slide into the preheated oven. Allow the ingredients to meld and bubble for 20-25 minutes, transforming into a cohesive, aromatic masterpiece.
- Final Touch: Remove the foil, revealing the bubbling, cheese-laden creation. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface for a vibrant flourish. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify and settle before serving.
Notes
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother, more even melting and superior texture compared to pre-packaged options.
- Moisture Management: Cover with foil during initial baking to prevent cheese from burning and maintain creamy consistency.
- Flavor Boosting Hack: Let casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow ingredients to set and flavors to intensify.
- Chicken Preparation Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for quicker assembly and added depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 965 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg