Quick Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe: Family Favorite
Comfort food reaches new heights with this incredible cheesy chicken and rice bake recipe that promises to satisfy every hungry soul at the dinner table.
Tender chicken nestles perfectly amid fluffy, creamy rice, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Layers of melted cheese add a golden, irresistible crust that makes this dish impossible to resist.
Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, ensuring even novice cooks can nail this hearty meal.
The blend of savory chicken, soft rice, and gooey cheese creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.
Each forkful delivers rich, comforting goodness that transforms an ordinary weeknight into something special.
One bite, and you’ll understand why this bake has become a go-to favorite for families seeking deliciousness without complicated preparation.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 90 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Calories: 485 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredients You Need for Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake
For Protein:For Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:For Binding and Creamy Texture:Setup and Tools for a Stress-Free Bake
Serving Ideas for Family-Style Meals
Keep It Creamy with the Right Storage Tips
Putting Together This Cheesy Classic
Grab a spacious baking dish and warm up your oven to create a delightful dinner magic. The perfect temperature sits right around 375°F, giving your meal a golden touch.
Whisk together a creamy blend of chicken broth, rich soup, and melted butter. Toss in tender chicken pieces and your favorite seasonings, making sure every morsel gets a flavor hug.
Carefully pour the mixture into your waiting dish, wrapping it snugly with aluminum foil. Let the oven work its transformative magic for about 75 minutes, allowing rice to become perfectly tender and chicken to cook through.
Uncover your masterpiece and sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar across the top. Return to the oven for a quick 10-minute dance that melts the cheese into a gorgeous, bubbly blanket.
After pulling your creation from the oven, give it a peaceful 10-minute pause. This little break helps flavors mingle and makes serving a breeze, turning your casserole into a true comfort food experience.
Flavor Adjustments for Picky Eaters
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Mouthwatering Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 7 1x
Description
Mexican-inspired cheesy chicken and rice bake combines zesty flavors with comforting ingredients. Hearty layers of seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and fluffy rice promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken fillets, cubed
- 2 cups (480 ml) white rice, uncooked
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
- 2 (10.5 oz / 298 g) cans cream of celery soup
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 56 g) butter, melted
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking vessel to prevent ingredient adherence.
- Craft Liquid Foundation: Whisk chicken broth, cream of celery soup, and melted butter in a generous mixing bowl until seamlessly blended, creating a silky, unified base.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold uncooked rice, chicken cubes, and selected seasonings into the liquid mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating and even distribution throughout the concoction.
- Assemble and Cover: Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface evenly, then encase completely with aluminum foil to trap moisture and promote uniform cooking.
- Bake and Transform: Slide the sealed casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to simmer and meld for 65-75 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and chicken becomes thoroughly cooked.
- Cheese Finale: Unveil the dish, lavishly scatter grated cheddar across the surface, then return to the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes to create a molten, golden-brown crust.
- Rest and Serve: Extract from the oven and permit the casserole to settle for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and the dish to achieve optimal serving consistency.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Cube chicken and measure ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce last-minute kitchen stress.
- Rice Cooking Tip: Use long-grain white rice for best texture; avoid instant or quick-cook varieties that might become mushy during extended baking.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Grate cheese fresh for superior melting quality and more vibrant flavor compared to pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- Moisture Control: Aluminum foil is crucial for trapping steam and preventing the dish from drying out during lengthy baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1006 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.