Description
This Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting dish packed with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and melted cheeses. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
- 500g (1.5lb) diced chicken breast
- 200g (1 cup) rinsed long-grain white rice
- 500ml (2 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
- 250ml (1 cup) whole milk
- 120ml (0.5 cup) heavy cream
- 200g (7oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 100g (3.5oz) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 50g (0.25 cup) softened cream cheese
- 1 medium onion (150g/5oz), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5g) smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp (2g) ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp (2g) black pepper
- 1 tsp (5g) sea salt
- 0.25 cup (15g) chopped parsley
- 0.25 cup (30g) toasted almond slivers
Instructions
- Preheat & Grease: Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a baking dish.
- Par-Cook Rice: Simmer rice with broth, milk, and cream for 8 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened.
- Brown Chicken: Cook chicken with aromatics and spices until browned.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix rice, chicken, cream cheese, and half the cheeses.
- Assemble & Top: Transfer to dish, top with remaining cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest & Garnish: Rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg