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
Scale
- 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